Product Liability and Mass Torts

Practice Contacts

Product Liability and Mass Torts

Strategic Advocacy for Success in Complex Mass Tort and Product Liability Matters

Product Liability

Taft has extensive experience in complex product liability litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts nationwide, including before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. Our attorneys regularly represent major corporations, self-insured companies, and manufacturers in high-exposure cases involving consumer goods, industrial equipment, recreational products, pharmaceuticals, e-cigarette and vape devices, and medical devices.

We provide comprehensive defense strategies, from early case evaluation and motion practice through trial and appeal. Our attorneys are skilled in navigating complex venue and jurisdictional questions, pursuing early dismissals, analyzing intricate factual and expert issues, and managing claims through verdict and appellate review. Several of our lawyers also serve as national product liability counsel for major corporations in industries frequently affected by litigation, ensuring consistent and strategic coordination across cases. Taft’s product liability lawyers also work closely with consultants and experts across various disciplines to analyze claims and develop effective defenses.

Additionally, several of our lawyers are members of the Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC). This specialty bar association supports domestic and multinational product manufacturers and legal professionals in managing product liability issues through advocacy, education, and networking opportunities.

Taft’s product liability capabilities include:

Deep experience in defending high-exposure product liability actions in multiple jurisdictions.
Detailed understanding of product design, testing, manufacturing, marketing, and recall issues.
Practical risk management counsel to help clients prevent future liability.
Broad industry knowledge spanning pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, industrial machinery, chemicals, and consumer products.
Strong relationships with federal, state, and local regulators, and industry organizations such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Mass Torts

Taft’s attorneys are experienced in managing and litigating complex, large-volume mass tort matters nationwide. Our mass tort practice handles consolidated actions, multidistrict litigation, and coordinated state court proceedings where clients face significant, long-term exposure across multiple jurisdictions. The team combines strategic planning, efficient discovery management, and coordinated defense efforts to ensure consistency and cost-effectiveness across a range of venues.

Our lawyers have served as national coordinating counsel for corporations involved in major mass tort cases, overseeing litigation strategy, expert development, bellwether trial selection, and settlement planning. We are familiar with the procedural and substantive complexities unique to mass torts, including consolidation, case tracking, and managing relationships with co-defendants and opposing counsel.

Taft’s mass tort capabilities include:

Nationwide management of multidistrict and consolidated litigation.
Experience coordinating large defense teams and expert networks in multiple jurisdictions.
Strong command of scientific, medical, and technical issues underlying mass tort cases.
Proven success in arbitration, mediation, class actions, and appeals.
Ability to integrate risk management, compliance counseling, and corporate strategy to reduce exposure and promote long-term stability.