The Bowles Rice Product Liability team actively defends product manufacturers and distributors in product liability litigation in West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia and other surrounding states. The team also works with its clients to develop internal programs designed to proactively identify and prevent potential safety and liability issues.
Our Approach
The Product Liability team recognizes that the successful defense of any product liability matter begins with a clear and complete understanding of the product from its initial design concept to its ultimate, intended use. Bowles Rice lawyers work closely with their client’s design professionals, production workers and marketing team to thoroughly evaluate alleged defects, breaches of warranty and consumer protection violations. Together, Bowles Rice and its client identify appropriate defenses and develop a sound litigation strategy. In doing so, members of the Product Liability team work hard to protect the client’s hard-earned reputation.
Whether in the context of a single incident or an alleged mass tort, Product Liability team members can effectively analyze and defend the toughest, most complex issues, delivering high quality work in a cost-efficient manner. To assist in their client’s defense, Bowles Rice lawyers identify and retain first-class experts with specific knowledge, training and experience matched to the needs of the case. When necessary, members of the Product Liability team utilize cutting-edge technology to analyze the facts and help tell their client’s story.
Our Experience
Bowles Rice lawyers have experience defending a broad array of products.
Industrial Equipment – With offices located in the heart of the Appalachian coal fields, the Product Liability team has considerable experience litigating product liability claims arising from equipment used in the mining industry. Bowles Rice lawyers have also defended claims involving other types of industrial equipment such as forklifts, hoists, cranes, foundry equipment, milling equipment, earth-moving equipment, road construction equipment, agricultural equipment, and electrical devices and equipment.
Consumer Products – Members of the Product Liability team have handled claims involving numerous consumer products including but not limited to automobiles, tires, household appliances, consumer electronics, recreational products and common power tools.
Drugs and Medical Devices – Several members of the Product Liability team have defended pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers against product liability claims asserted individually and by groups of plaintiffs on a state-wide and regional basis. Team members have also defended claims involving dietary supplements and health foods. Whether leading the defense or working with its client’s coordinating counsel, Bowles Rice lawyers are adept at managing and defending these claims.
Building and Construction Products and Materials – Bowles Rice lawyers have also worked on matters involving products and materials used in the building and construction industry, such as underground storm water retention system components and synthetic stucco materials used for finishing building exteriors.
Toxic Torts – The Product Liability team includes lawyers experienced in the defense of a wide variety of toxic torts involving substances such as tobacco, asbestos, polyacrylamide, pesticides and hydrocarbons as well as large environmental contamination claims. Here, the Product Liability team and Bowles Rice’s Mass Tort and Toxic Tort team overlap to provide first-rate representation in what often involves high-risk litigation.
Our People
The Bowles Rice Product Liability team includes lawyers who are highly-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and recognized by respected peer-ranking organizations such as Best Lawyers, Chambers USA and Super Lawyers. But legal skill and technical expertise is not enough in the challenging venues where Bowles Rice defends product liability claims. When – as is often the case – an in-state plaintiff charges an out-of-state manufacturer with designing, manufacturing or marketing a defective product, there is no good substitute for first-hand experience in the relevant court system. Bowles Rice lawyers know the landscape where they practice, hold the respect of their colleagues and the judges before whom they appear, and have an admirable track record of success. The Product Liability team is also adept at handling multi-district litigation (MDL) matters, which are increasingly prevalent.
Lawyers on the Product Liability team have provided leadership in local and regional tort and judicial reform initiatives, have taught post-graduate university and continuing education courses addressing the intersection between the work of engineering and other design professionals and the tort litigation system, and have taken an active role in many professional organizations and societies. Bowles Rice lawyers live in, are part of and contribute to the communities they serve.
Lawyers of the Product Liability team are licensed to practice law in West Virginia, Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
For more information regarding the Bowles Rice Product Liability team contact one of our team members.