PRODUCT LIABILITY
Primary Contact Attorney: Roy A. Umlauf
We recognize the importance of risk management, the impact of technological advances, changes in the law, and other business realities that retailers, distributors, manufacturers and their insurers face today. We have been local and national coordinating counsel for many of our clients.
We represent retailers, distributors, manufacturers and component part manufacturers in product liability actions involving a wide range of products, including:
- Motor Vehicles, Bicycles, Airplanes, Ships and All Terrain Vehicles
- Industrial Equipment, including Cranes, Forklifts, Conveyors, Compressors, Jackhammers, Valves and Haymovers
- Metal Buildings, Building Materials, Insulation, Windows, Piping, Carpets, Particleboard, Paint, Asphalt Products, and Flooring Tiles
- Electrical and Mechanical Devices, Engine Parts, Household Appliances, Coffeemakers, Electrical Switches, Pellet Stoves and Personal Electronics
- Medical Devices, Chemicals, and Pharmaceuticals
- Misc. products, including File Cabinets, Guns, Garments, High Powered Batteries, Baby Products and Food Products
- Marine Products, Engines, Reduction Gears, Separators, Turbines, Deaerating Tanks, Forced Draft Blowers, and Compressors
- Brakes, Clutches and Gaskets
Attorneys who practice in this area:
William C. "Chris" Gibson
John P. Hayes
Michael P. Hooks
Christopher A. Matheson
Ann C. McCormick
Patrick G. Middleton
James B. Meade
Martin J. Pujolar
Melissa K. Roeder
Kenneth M. Roessler
Amanda M. Searle
Roy A. Umlauf
Sarah S. Visbeek
Representative Matters:
We won a defense verdict for a foreign crane manufacturer in a month-long jury trial in which a power company sought over $20 million in revenue for lost power generation. There was no appeal following the jury's verdict.
We were local counsel for an international crane manufacturer in a multi-million dollar tower crane accident damaging multiple buildings and killing one person. The Court dismissed product liability claims against our client on summary judgment.
Our product liability matters include accident investigations, product inspections, and investigations of construction product failures to protect evidence following worksite accidents.
We represented a recreational equipment manufacturer responding to an insurance policy limits demand on a 30-day response deadline, resulting in no suit or claim being brought against the manufacturer.
Our attorneys have guided crisis management and fire investigation teams while we represented the interests of a component part manufacturer. With early meetings between counsel and experts, claims againse our client were avoided.
