Practices

Sedgwick attorneys have been litigating cases that impact the law and business of products liability since the 1950s, when the firm represented Cutter Laboratories in connection with its polio vaccine.  A great deal of the case law that currently governs products liability actions and related matters was developed by our attorneys.

Sedgwick attorneys have been litigating cases that impact the law and business of products liability since the 1950s, when the firm represented Cutter Laboratories in connection with its polio vaccine.  A great deal of the case law that currently governs products liability actions and related matters was developed by our attorneys.

The cases we are involved with range from simple to complex, multiple and interrelated cases filed in a variety of jurisdictions.  Our substantive areas of practice range from government regulation to the defense of mass tort product claims and consumer advocate class actions. Our significant expertise in complex litigation procedure, such as class action practice, MDLs and statewide coordinated proceedings, is frequently called upon by clients for whom we serve as national, regional or statewide counsel.

Our lead products liability attorneys have extensive trial experience throughout the nation and the world, and many of our products liability attorneys have a special interest in engineering and medicine, and educational backgrounds in nursing and pharmacology.   We have fostered relationships with experts in biomechanics, mechanical engineering, automotive design, human factors, accident reconstruction, statistics, epidemiology, warnings, metallurgy, stress analysis, and jury selection.  We use the latest demonstrative evidence at trial, including computer-generated graphics, models, video reconstructions and full-scale product mock-ups.

Sedgwick attorneys also recognize that many cases may be successfully and economically resolved short of trial. We have developed strategies for discovery and pre-trial practice, which, in many cases, have resulted in the entry of defense judgments pursuant to motions.  We also consult with counsel, manufacturers and risk managers on the development of preventive products liability programs. Our counseling services include the preparation of risk analyses, the  development of pre-loss programs and the assessment of advertising liability. Sedgwick also prepares product warning labels, instruction manuals and product literature.

Large-Scale Products Liability Litigation

Sedgwick has served as national coordinating counsel and regional coordinating counsel in dozens of mass tort products liability matters. Our extensive experience in these cases has allowed us to develop pre-trial litigation strategies and efficient workflows that save our clients substantial expense, while also uniformly positioning cases in the best possible posture for trial and/or negotiated resolution.

We confer with our client to identify its primary business and legal objectives, conduct a case assessment, and develop and implement appropriate themes and litigation strategy.  We prepare pleadings; draft and respond to discovery; prepare company witnesses for deposition and trial testimony; develop the company story; identify, develop and prepare expert witnesses; and identify, retain and oversee local counsel.  We oversee all facets of final trial preparation, conduct jury research and try the cases.

Product Recalls

Many of the product liability matters we handle on behalf of our clients include issues of actual or threatened product recalls. The ability to address these issues is often critical to the success of underlying litigation, and Sedgwick’s attorneys are skilled at navigating the regulatory requirements of a recall while remaining focused on our clients’ legal and business interests.

We work with clients to ensure consumer safety and regulatory compliance as products are developed and advise clients on appropriate procedures for preventing recalls. Sedgwick reviews liabilities and assists companies in developing appropriate monitoring, reporting, and record maintenance procedures, as well as formal product recall policies. Where regulatory agencies become involved, we assist clients in responding to investigations in an effort to prevent a potential recall. If a recall is required, we work with clients to develop an effective recall plan and negotiate with regulatory agencies to arrive at appropriate limitations on the nature and scope of a recall. Our attorneys are also experienced in defending civil and criminal enforcement actions filed by regulators and private parties.

Sedgwick attorneys have been litigating cases that impact the law and business of products liability since the 1950s, when the firm represented Cutter Laboratories in connection with its polio vaccine.  A great deal of the case law that currently governs products liability actions and related matters was developed by our attorneys.

The cases we are involved with range from simple to complex, multiple and interrelated cases filed in a variety of jurisdictions.  Our substantive areas of practice range from government regulation to the defense of mass tort product claims and consumer advocate class actions. Our significant expertise in complex litigation procedure, such as class action practice, MDLs and statewide coordinated proceedings, is frequently called upon by clients for whom we serve as national, regional or statewide counsel.

Our lead products liability attorneys have extensive trial experience throughout the nation and the world, and many of our products liability attorneys have a special interest in engineering and medicine, and educational backgrounds in nursing and pharmacology.   We have fostered relationships with experts in biomechanics, mechanical engineering, automotive design, human factors, accident reconstruction, statistics, epidemiology, warnings, metallurgy, stress analysis, and jury selection.  We use the latest demonstrative evidence at trial, including computer-generated graphics, models, video reconstructions and full-scale product mock-ups.

Sedgwick attorneys also recognize that many cases may be successfully and economically resolved short of trial. We have developed strategies for discovery and pre-trial practice, which, in many cases, have resulted in the entry of defense judgments pursuant to motions.  We also consult with counsel, manufacturers and risk managers on the development of preventive products liability programs. Our counseling services include the preparation of risk analyses, the  development of pre-loss programs and the assessment of advertising liability. Sedgwick also prepares product warning labels, instruction manuals and product literature.

Large-Scale Products Liability Litigation

Sedgwick has served as national coordinating counsel and regional coordinating counsel in dozens of mass tort products liability matters. Our extensive experience in these cases has allowed us to develop pre-trial litigation strategies and efficient workflows that save our clients substantial expense, while also uniformly positioning cases in the best possible posture for trial and/or negotiated resolution.

We confer with our client to identify its primary business and legal objectives, conduct a case assessment, and develop and implement appropriate themes and litigation strategy.  We prepare pleadings; draft and respond to discovery; prepare company witnesses for deposition and trial testimony; develop the company story; identify, develop and prepare expert witnesses; and identify, retain and oversee local counsel.  We oversee all facets of final trial preparation, conduct jury research and try the cases.

Product Recalls

Many of the product liability matters we handle on behalf of our clients include issues of actual or threatened product recalls. The ability to address these issues is often critical to the success of underlying litigation, and Sedgwick’s attorneys are skilled at navigating the regulatory requirements of a recall while remaining focused on our clients’ legal and business interests.

We work with clients to ensure consumer safety and regulatory compliance as products are developed and advise clients on appropriate procedures for preventing recalls. Sedgwick reviews liabilities and assists companies in developing appropriate monitoring, reporting, and record maintenance procedures, as well as formal product recall policies. Where regulatory agencies become involved, we assist clients in responding to investigations in an effort to prevent a potential recall. If a recall is required, we work with clients to develop an effective recall plan and negotiate with regulatory agencies to arrive at appropriate limitations on the nature and scope of a recall. Our attorneys are also experienced in defending civil and criminal enforcement actions filed by regulators and private parties.