Product Liability

The defense of product liability matters is particularly suited to our ability to analyze complex facts and technologies and explain them to juries in common-sense terms.

  • Overview
  • Representative matters
  • News & resources

Overview

The attorneys of The Hunt Law Group have extensive experience defending allegations of manufacturing and design defects.  Our attorneys have represented industrial product manufacturers in Alabama, Indiana, Minnesota and New Jersey.  The firm regularly defends manufacturers, distributors and retailers against product liability claims based on negligence, strict product liability, and breach of warranty.  Our attorneys have litigated cases involving an extensive array of consumer and industrial products, including:

  • Computers and computer accessories
  • Toys
  • Vehicle components
  • Industrial power tools
  • Watercraft
  • Housewares
  • Industrial components
  • Construction materials

The trial attorneys at The Hunt Law Group are skilled in developing factual and legal defenses and explaining to jurors the complex scientific and technical issues that often arise in product liability cases.

As a result of the firm's experience, our attorneys have been retained as national or regional coordinating counsel, including representation with respect to pre-suit claims.

A list of representative cases can be found by clicking the "Representative Matters" link above. 

Representative matters

Giger v. Illinois College, et al.

Morgan County, Illinois

Defended manufacturer of landing pad against allegations of negligence, failure to provide proper instructions and strict products liability in connection with fatal injuries sustained by a college sophomore during a pole vaulting championship. The decedent sustained skull fracture, cerebral contusion, intraparenchymal hemorrhage, right subdural hemorrhage and seizure activity that resulted in his death three days later. Negligence claims against decedent's college were settled pre-trial. Plaintiff made a demand of $7 million. No offer was made. Jury determined damages at $2.5 million and apportioned fault: Decedent - 50%; Illinois College - 30%; Manufacturer - 20%. Manufacturer's share of verdict, after reduction for comparative fault and set-off for pre-trial settlement, was $350,000.

Guzman v. Delta International, et al.

Cook County, Illinois

Defended distributor of miter saw against allegations of fraud, negligence, and strict product liability in connection with suit for multi-finger amputation.  All allegations dismissed with prejudice.

Fischer v. Overton's Inc., et al.

Northern District of Illinois

Defended distributor of the Wego Kite Tube against a claim that a minor suffered permanent injuries after falling from an airborne Wego Kite Tube.  The plaintiff alleged to have suffered a ruptured left eardrum requiring three eardrum grafting surgeries, including surgical replacement of left ear bones.  Argued successfully that Michigan law applied and, therefore, strict product liability allegations were barred.  Case settled on favorable terms.

Shadley and Pierotti v. Pflow Industries, et al.

Cook County, Illinois

Defending manufacturer of industrial freight conveyor in product liability lawsuit alleging negligence, strict product liability, and failure to instruct and warn in connection with collapse of product on installers during installation process.  One installer sustained rotator cuff tears, requiring three surgeries.  The other installer sustained a bilateral hip fracture.

Member Select v. Electrolux

Northern District of Illinois

Defending dryer manufacturer against allegations of negligence and strict product liability with respect to design, manufacture, and warnings in connection with dryer which allegedly caused home fire with damages in excess of $500,000.

State Farm v. Best Buy, et al.

Cook County, Illinois

Represented national retailer in lawsuit for property damage resulting from a fire alleged to have occurred due to the negligent installation of a gas dryer.

Warren v. Perfection Bakeries

Cook County, Illinois

Defended electrical contractor against wrongful death allegations regarding work performed on cardboard bailing and recycling equipment.  Obtained dismissal on grounds of lack of personal jurisdiction.

Pre-Suit Representation

Cook County, Illinois

Representing component part manufacturer as national counsel with respect to alleged component failure in water fountain resulting in over twenty claims.

Nava v. Viskase

Hennepin County, Minnesota

Defended manufacturer of sausage stuffing equipment against allegations of negligence and strict product liability arising from traumatic amputation of fingers on dominant hand.  Suit settled for nuisance value after depositions of plaintiff's co-workers revealed substantial comparative fault.

Villaneuva v. BOC Group, et al.

Cook County, Illinois

Defended installer of spiral freezer used in meat freezing application against allegations of negligence, strict product liability, and spoliation of evidence.  Installer had also dismantled spiral freezer post-occurrence.  Obtained dismissal of spoliation allegations.  Suit settled for nuisance value while summary judgment motion was pending.

Hernandez v. E-quip Manufacturing

Cook County, Illinois

Defended manufacturing of conveyor system used in bakery application in suit alleging negligence and strict liability arising from injury to worker's dominant hand at transfer point.

Randy Snider v. R.W. Rogers Co., Inc.

Grundy County, Illinois

Defended shopping cart distributor with respect to hand injury.  Obtained dismissal of strict product liability and negligence counts on behalf of shopping cart distributor.

Martin v. Ford Motor Company

Cook County, Illinois

Defended auto dealership against allegations of negligence, strict product liability, and breach of implied warranty of merchantability allegations in wrongful death lawsuit in which the plaintiff alleged that defective tires, which were subject to a recall, exploded and caused fatal accident.

Ferraro v. Best Buy

Northern District of Illinois

Defended computer seller in suit for burn injury as a result of an allegedly defective computer and power cord.

Pre-suit Representation

Cook County, Illinois

Represented vehicle component part manufacturer in connection with subrogation claim to recover the pre-loss value of an ambulance as a result of a fire which originated in the engine's alternator.  Following extensive controlled testing and expert analysis of the subject engine parts, a favorable settlement was reached on behalf of the manufacturer.

Moore v. The Peerless Group, et al.

Cook County, Illinois

Represented manufacturer of commercial mixer in product liability lawsuit in which the plaintiff's hand was severed while using the mixer.  Obtained dismissal on behalf of defendant after completion of fact discovery.

News & resources

Publications

Is the Door Opening for Plaintiffs?

A fifty-state survey of the post-sale duty to warn.

Seller Beware: The Post-Sale Duty to Warn

Speaking Engagements

The Post-Sale Duty to Warn

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