Cozen O’Connor recently handled the first trial to go to a jury on the issue of strict liability against a manufacturer of CSST (corrugated stainless steel tubing). We are pleased to announce that, following an eight day trial conducted by Mark Utke of our Philadelphia office, the jury found CSST to be a defective product...
On September 17, 2010 Lennox International, Inc. sent a letter to all of its constituent regional organizations as well as its licensed dealers, installers and repair technicians placing a “Product Hold” on a series of residential air conditioning units. According to the letter, Lennox air conditioning units manufactured between July 1, 2010 and September 16, 2010...
On July 6, 2010, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) issued a safety alert recommending that residential fire sprinkler systems containing antifreeze be drained and the antifreeze be replaced with water. While NFPA emphasized that residential sprinklers remain reliable and effective, a recent fire incident involving a sprinkler system containing a high concentration of antifreeze solution...
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) called for a ban on cleaning out debris from gas piping using pressurized natural gas. “Gas blow” is an industry-wide practice and is now described as an “inherently unsafe activity.” CSB called for the ban after investigating a tragic explosion at Kleen Energy in Middleton, Connecticut, that killed six...
Defective car cases can be challenging to pursue. When the car is subject to a recall, recovery potential usually improves. If the vehicle’s owner knew about the recall and had the repairs done, do not despair—many times those repairs are inadequate. One example is the defective Ford speed control deactivation switches. The switches have been...
Subrogating the discarded cigarette case can burn out quickly or really catch fire. If your insured caused it, subrogation may be a problem. But when a defendant causes it, potential subrogation, right? Perhaps. Take, for example, the case of a store clerk who throws a discarded cigarette on the pine needles that serve as a landscaping...
In a case of first impression, the Pennsylvania Superior Court adopted the "bright line" rule, followed by a majority of jurisdictions, that all information considered by a testifying expert, including information typically protected under the attorney work-product privilege, is discoverable.In Barrick v Holy Spirit Hospital, No. 1856 MDA 2009 (Pa. Super. Sept.16, 2010), the court...
On September 17, 2010 Lowe’s Home Centers, Inc. settled a class action lawsuit brought in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina by consumers who contracted with Lowe’s for the installation of clothes dryers in their homes and businesses. The lawsuit alleged that the “skilled, trained, experienced [and] equipped” installation technicians...
