Products Liability Defense

Schenck, Price, Smith & King has defended hundreds of products liability suits over the years and has developed special expertise in doing so. Depending upon the size and scope of a particular suit, we have senior trial attorneys with many years' experience trying cases, and younger attorneys who capably defend less substantial cases under the supervision of a partner.

Cases we defend involve claims for personal injuries, property damage, or both. We have tried successfully cases including, among others, snow thrower and lawn mower accidents involving amputations and other serious injuries, wrongful death suits arising out of electrocutions, suits against equipment manufacturers by plaintiffs who had sustained permanent brain damage, and suits against manufacturers of scaffolding and other construction equipment involving death or other serious injuries. We also handle a substantial volume of asbestos defense work.

Our products liability clients include major manufacturers of a variety of products and equipment. We have represented still other manufacturers on behalf of a variety of insurance carriers. Representative clients we have been privileged to represent include Amana, Ariens, Blaw-Knox, Conagra, N.A., Cooper Industries, Electrolux, Fisher-Price, Frigidaire, Gravely, Murray, Noma Outdoor Products, Pfizer, Raytheon, Sea Ray Boats, Sherwin Williams, Tappan, Whirlpool, and White Consolidated Industries.

Because every client is different, we have found that the best approach in defending against a products liability claim is to get to know our client's business and its product. This might include visiting the client's plant or home office, reading the relevant trade publications and generally being aware of manufacturing trends and developments. Recognizing how a product is designed to work helps us to better defend the client. In the vast majority of cases, we learn that accidents are caused by human error, and not the product itself.

In addition, each client prefers a different strategy in defending products cases. Some clients prefer to defend vigorously, aggressively pursue discovery and take cases to trial. Others prefer to keep costs down, and settle on reasonable terms early on in a case. While some clients prefer a team approach, others prefer that only one attorney in particular work on their cases. Part of our job is to consult with the client, learn how the client wishes us to defend the case, and be guided accordingly.

Our policy is to keep the client personally involved and fully informed as each case progresses. We consult with the client before making any major decision, including general defense strategies, selection of experts, the scope of discovery and investigation, settlement posture and the like. In this way, we provide a defense that is suited to each particular client and each individual case.

For Additional Information Contact Gilbert S. Leeds