Products Liability

We at Copeland & Rice understand the potential effect that substantial products liability litigation can have on a company’s future.  We represent product manufacturers, distributers and suppliers in significant products liability litigation in both state and federal courts.  With decades of experience litigating products liability cases, Copeland & Rice lawyers have a deep understanding of the accompanying liability and damages issues.  Expert witnesses are a critical component of products liability actions, and because of our work in this area we also have a wide network of expert witnesses to assist in a variety of types of products liability cases.  Whether the litigation involves individual cases, state coordinated proceedings, or MDL multi-district proceedings, we are well-equipped to represent products liability defendants.

Representative Matters:

  • Represented a truck manufacturer in a product liability case brought on behalf of a quadriplegic who was a passenger in an automobile.  A jury rendered a take-nothing verdict for our client and the judgment was affirmed on appeal.
  • In diet drug litigation arising from the use of prescription drugs, served as Texas trial counsel representing a major pharmaceutical manufacturer in defense of  claims of personal injury.
  • Represented a national truck manufacturer in a product liability case brought on behalf of the driver of a commercial truck injured in an accident allegedly caused by a steering system design defect.   A component of the steering system in the truck had been the subject of an earlier recall. After a three-week trial, our client was exonerated by the jury’s finding of no liability.
  • Represented Firestone in numerous wrongful death and personal injury suits filed in multiple counties in Texas relating to rollover accidents and product recall; also represented Firestone in suits filed in Texas by residents of Mexico and Venezuela concerning accidents occurring in foreign venues, which presented forum non conveniens and venue issues.
  • Represented U.S. and non-U.S. manufacturers of automotive parts, appliances, industrial machines, and farm equipment in personal injury and property damage cases.
  • Represented Firestone in a products liability lawsuit arising from a bus accident involving hundreds of plaintiffs.
  • Represented a leading chemical manufacturer in several personal injury and products cases, including a case arising from a chemical explosion that was ultimately dismissed after the court granted the manufacturer’s dispositive motion.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.