Products Liability

A charger battery for an e-cigarette catches on fire when it is plugged into the USB port in an automobile. Serious burn injuries.

59-year-old  man injured by a defective metal-on-metal hip implant manufactured by Zimmer. He underwent two hip replacement surgeries in 15 months, lives with chronic pain.

Woman with long history of TMJ says she bit into metal ball inside a sandwich she bought at Gelson's.  Defendants admitted liability, contested causation.

Woman says she consumed contaminated chicken processed by Foster Farms, her preferred brand of chicken, which caused Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Older model Toyota does not have shoulder belt (3-point restraint) for rear-center-seat passenger. Plaintiff's intoxicated driver loses control and hits a tree. No offer before trial. 

Plaintiffs' decedent worked on brakes as an auto mechanic, and also worked as a plumber.  He was exposed to asbestos in both jobs.  Punitive damages against defendant Honeywell (Bendix). Very low section 998 settlement offer by defendant.

Drunk grandfather towing grandkids in raft suddenly turns in front of jet ski on Colorado River near Blythe.  Jet ski passenger suffers brain damage.  Jet ski manufacturer sued for product liability.

Scuba diver dies off Catalina Island when breathing apparatus fails; diver had pre-existing heart condition. Defense offered $93K, but jury awards $5 million to decedent's elderly parents.

Plaintiff was an auto mechanic with decades of asbestos exposure from Ford parts such as brakes, clutches and gaskets. He was forced to give up his auto repair business when he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. Majority of jury verdict was for pain and suffering.

A 39-year-old construction worker falls 50 feet from an out-of-control construction hoist. Injuries result in an amputated arm and severe depression. Swedish manufacturer of the product denies liability, but is found 57% negligent by jury.

Device intended to minimize swelling after orthopedic surgery causes non-freezing cold injury.  Doctor prescribes it despite prior settlement for malpractice over same device and type of injury.

A garbage-truck driver was awarded $11.3 million for back injuries sustained when his truck's front wheel failed due to a defective hub. The 998 offer was only $350,000, and the offer at trial was $1 million.