Product Liability

Gear

Saul Ewing’s product liability lawyers advise on a wide range of risk management and litigation matters for various products across a diverse array of industries. We guide domestic and foreign designers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers through litigation, risk reduction and regulatory compliance.

Litigation

Our litigators handle complex claims, including those involving catastrophic injury and death, defending clients in state and federal courts across the country in single claims, class actions, mass torts and multi-district litigation. When defending any type of product in any U.S. jurisdiction, we partner with our clients to first develop a pragmatic action plan that minimizes risks, costs and invasiveness to our clients’ businesses, with a sharp focus on the bottom line.

In addition, we serve clients as national and regional trial and coordinating counsel in cases where products are the subject of litigation on a national scope.

Risk Reduction

For companies preparing to launch new products or conducting ongoing management of their existing products, we help them reduce risk by reviewing potential liability exposure and implementing best practices across multiple areas, including:

  • Safety manuals, product instructions and warnings
  • Company policies and procedures
  • Indemnification agreements
  • Vendor agreements
  • Document retention policies

Regulatory Compliance

Our Product Liability Group attorneys advise companies throughout the product life cycle, including product development, formulation, manufacture, distribution, promotion, advertising and labeling to help ensure that products are compliant with a variety of federal, state and local regulations. We regularly provide advice on products regulated by and/or matters involving:

  • the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  • the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
  • the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
  • state attorneys general
  • local district attorneys

 

Key Contact
Jared S. Hawk
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Experience

Saul Ewing attorneys have handled these select product liability matters:

Consumer Goods

  • Child Car Seats: Defended a designer in personal injury litigation.
  • Light Fixtures and Electrical Equipment: Represented manufacturers facing claims involving fire damages and provided advice on the terms and conditions of a sale to limit liability.
  • Portable Fans: Provided warranty and indemnification advice.
  • Heating Elements: Defended multiple claims involving electrocutions and fires resulting in personal injury and property damage, including coffee urns and space heaters.
  • Campers: Wrote and advised on product warranty and instructions for use.
  • Hunting Equipment (tree stands, ammunition, crossbows): Defended retailer in various personal injury claims.
  • Recreational Vehicles (side-by-side vehicles, watercraft): Defended personal injury and consumer warranty claims.

Industrial Products

  • Forklifts: Represented a manufacturer in a wrongful death case involving a forklift tip-over.
  • CPVC Pipe: Defended a manufacturer in claims of defective fire sprinkler systems installed in high-rise condominiums.
  • Commercial Roofing: Defended a contractor regarding claims for breach of warranty and violation of consumer protection laws.
  • Dredging Equipment: Advised a manufacturer about warranty and warnings to accompany its product.
  • Metal Slitting and Forming Equipment: Defended multiple personal injury claims.
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