Practice Areas: Product & Consumer Litigation

Fires & Explosions

We regularly defend product manufacturers in the defense of personal and property damage claims arising from fires and explosions occurring in residential, commercial and industrial structures. Our clients include manufacturers of home safety equipment, as well as valves, sensors and controls used in home and commercial heating and cooking appliances and industrial applications.

We work with top consultants in relevant fields; we are familiar with building codes and industry standards that are frequently at issue in these cases; and we are knowledgeable regarding the many likely sources and causes of fires and explosions that may not be evident to lawyers who do not practice frequently in this area.

We are also very familiar with the lawyers and consultants retained by plaintiffs in these matters. We defend clients aggressively in litigation, but we are also frequently able to help steer the investigation of a fire or explosion to develop a consensus opinion that the product is not a causative factor. In that regard, we are available to respond immediately to attend on-site inspections that may occur in the hours or days after a fire or explosion, and we know which consultants to call and how to reach them on an emergency basis.

Recent Representative Matters

• Defense at trial of a manufacturer of residential smoke alarms in federal court in Birmingham, Ala., arising from a house fire resulting in multiple deaths. After a two-week trial, the jury deadlocked 6-12 in favor of our client, and a mistrial was declared.
• Defense of gas control valve manufacturer in state court in New Jersey in combined cases arising from the catastrophic explosion of an acetylene manufacturing plant resulting in multiple deaths. After two years of litigation, our client was dismissed by all parties.
• Defense of gas control valve manufacturer in state court in Wisconsin arising from the catastrophic explosion of a vacation cabin resulting in a death and severe injuries.
• Representation of a food manufacturing facility owner in connection with an on-site gas explosion resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.