PRODUCT LIABILITY

JMF was founded in 1973 as a product liability defense firm. Since then, we have counseled manufacturers and trade associations in a wide variety of industries, including tobacco, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and electronics, both in the U.S. and overseas. We regularly advise clients on ways to avoid litigation, but also on how to defend cases aggressively when they are filed. Our experience includes organization of defense strategy, development of defense themes, and day-to-day case management. We have particular expertise in the investigation of medical and scientific issues, working with in-house scientific analysts and outside experts, and the development of case-specific factual histories.

Representative Matters

Examples of matters in which we have represented manufacturers or trade associations include:

  • Traditional personal injury cases (individual and class actions) in which plaintiffs allege injury from the use of a product;
  • Cases in which plaintiffs, without alleging any personal injury, seek damages resulting from allegedly fraudulent statements by manufacturers or trade associations;
  • Cases seeking recovery of medical costs incurred by public entities (e.g., states, cities, hospitals) for the treatment of residents allegedly injured by use of a product;
  • California "Prop 65" cases alleging failure to supply appropriate warnings on products or at points of sale;
  • Representation before the Federal Trade Commission in matters regarding product warnings;
  • Presentations to state Attorneys General regarding proper classification of certain types of products for tax and other purposes;
  • Repetitive stress injury cases;
  • DES litigation;
  • Asbestos litigation.