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product liability and personal injury
overview
Attorneys in all of the Taft offices have had extensive experience in litigation involving substantial product liability and personal injury claims. Traditionally our practice in this area has focused on the defense of larger, self-insured companies such as railroads, utility companies, and a broad spectrum of manufacturing and pharmaceutical companies. In recent years, we have diversified our personal injury practice by also selectively representing plaintiffs in cases involving serious personal injury, death, or class-wide exposure to toxic substances. Our broad experience in personal injury cases enables us to help clients, whether plaintiff or defendant, fairly evaluate the merits of the case and, if appropriate, the advisability of settlement. If trial is necessary, we have the experience to prepare and try the strongest case for a plaintiff or a defendant.
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Among the types of personal injury matters handled by the attorneys in our Product Liability and Personal Injury Practice Area for defendants are:
- Injury and death claims against a utility company involving contact with high voltage electric lines and natural gas pipeline leaks and explosions
- Ohio employee intentional tort claims for employers such as Ingersoll-Rand, Leggett & Platt, Smurfit-Stone Container, and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
- Third-party indemnification claims between employers and equipment manufacturers arising out of on-the-job injuries
- Pharmaceutical and medical device injury claims for clients such as Eli Lilly Company, Boston Scientific Corporation, Pacific Dunlop Corporation, and Philips Electronics
- Product liability claims arising out of electrical tools and appliances and forklift trucks for clients like Black & Decker and Hyster Corporation
- Premises liability claims for many clients such as AK Steel Corporation
- Defense of, and insurance coverage advice in, asbestos and welding fumes exposure cases for clients such as Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation, David J. Joseph Company, Wm. Powell Company, Richards Industries, and J. W. Harris Company.
Among the types of personal injury cases handled by our attorneys for plaintiffs include the following:
- Construction site injuries and deaths
- Fire injury and death claims against insurance companies
- Serious injury and death claims from vehicular collisions and pedestrians struck by vehicles
- An ongoing series of personal injury class action cases against two large chemical companies as a result of ground water contamination in several states, including one which was settled for damages in excess of $100 million.
While our attorneys vigorously and effectively defend and prosecute serious personal injury and death claims, we recognize the need to treat opposing parties and witnesses with respect, as well as opposing counsel with civility and professionalism. We appreciate that judges and juries often perceive the demeanor of trial attorneys as a reflection of the values and attitudes of the clients they represent.
