Recent Cases

Commercial Products

• Jury finds for teen who suffered brain damage from exposure to lead-based paint

Consumer Products

• Federal law does not preempt defective lighter claim
• Expert testimony admissible in circular saw case

Industrial Products & Equipment

• Worker suffers severe back, arm injuries when street sweeper lacking ROPS system overturns, crushing him in cab
• Worker drawn into brush cutting machine, fatally injured after safety device fails
• Drywall installer develops mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos-containing joint compound
• Worker’s arm drawn into tarp rolling machine

Medical Products & Equipment

• Father contracts polio virus from live vaccine in infant daughter’s stool
• Boy who suffered brain injury after DPT vaccination was wrongly denied recovery under Vaccine Act
• Manufacturing defect claim was “parallel” state law claim not preempted under Riegel
• MDA preemption extends to state law requirements that regulate devices only incidentally

Tobacco

• Jury finds for family of smoker who died of lung cancer after lifelong tobacco addiction

Transportation

• Occupants trapped in modified van after vehicle catches fire, electronic side doors fail to open
• Unstable design, insufficient roof strength lead to rollover, paralyzing injuries for Land Rover driver
• Musician suffers paralyzing injuries when seat in 15-passenger van breaks loose in rollover
• Filing of suit against motorcycle’s seller and distributor tolled later action against manufacturer
• SUV’s rigid design causes driver severe leg injuries in collision
• Admission of motorist’s seat belt nonuse, pre-impact conduct was reversible error
• Faulty tire, poor vehicle design lead to rollover, serious injuries to SUV occupants

In this Issue

• Court Documents
• Updates