Product Liability



Product liability law addresses the liability of the manufacturer, wholesaler or retailer of a product for injuries and damages caused by defective and dangerous products. Dangerous and defective products may include food items or supplements, drugs, appliances, automobiles, medical devices, medical implants, asbestos, tires, blood products, gas and electric utilities, commercial equipment and even commercial or private aircrafts. The list of products which have caused serious injury or death in this country is practically endless.

Defective products may cause damage to either your person or property. Although serious injuries like the loss of life or limb may have an obvious causal link to a defective product, often injuries or damage resulting from a defective product may not be as obvious. Systemic Occupational diseases (asbestosis, silicosis and brown lung), toxic shock, leukemia and other illnesses and medical problems may be caused by a defective drug, medical device or chemical exposure. A motor vehicle accident may be caused by defective tires, and injuries may be enhanced by poorly designed restraint systems. Additionally, many home and commercial fires are caused by defects in heating, stove, flue and electrical products. Often these less obvious causes are overlooked or even covered up by those investigating the injuries or damage.

Furthermore, injuries involving machinery, commercial lift trucks, construction tools or falls may be caused by defective products. Injuries caused by defective home appliances, recreational equipment, recreational vehicles and private passenger vehicles may also be caused by a defective design. Even airplane and automobile crashes can be caused by defective a design or manufacturing process. Defective product claims against a manufacturer of the of these products are a powerful avenue of recovery for the injured user.

Product defect litigation can be a complicated and complex undertaking. Claims against a manufacturer are inevitably expensive, time consuming and tedious. Additionally, a person's injuries and rehabilitation may require as much, if not more, attention during litigation than the product itself. The firm maintains relationships with respected engineers and experts across the country who are available to assist us in evaluating potential product defects, and the causal relationship to any injury or damage.

Lewis & Roberts' litigation group has years of experience in aggressively prosecuting claims against manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers and distributors of products causing injuries and damage. We have successfully handled cases involving the following product defects:

  • drugs;
  • commercial equipment;
  • commercial lift trucks;
  • automobiles;
  • 15 passenger vans;
  • airplanes;
  • jet skis;
  • building fires;
  • post-collision fuel fed fires;
  • building construction issues;
  • medical equipment;
  • medical prosthetics; and
  • natural gas companies.

We have also prosecuted claims against businesses which have exposed defective products to the environment, resulting in the toxic contamination of water supplies. Furthermore, defects in your home, town homes, condominium or commercial building may not only be caused by a defect in the products used during the original construction, but also in the manner in which the building itself was constructed. Lewis & Roberts also has one of the state's leading groups of attorneys dedicated to handling construction defect claims . Our litigation group is prepared to represent clients who expect experience, dedication and results in claims related to product defects.