Products Liability

$100,000: Barbeque Explosion Causes Second Degree Burns On Father’s Day

CASE DESCRIPTION: On the weekend of June 15, 2008, Plaintiff John M. along with his wife Tracey M., three sons and brother were guests at Defendant Everett B.’s mobile home in Big River, California.  They were staying there to attend John’s step-mother’s funeral the next day.  Since it was Father’s Day, John decided to barbeque hot dogs… read more

Products Liability in “Plain English” – The New CACI Jury Instructions

Introduction     In 2003 the Judicial Council of California set forth the new California Civil Jury Instructions (CACI, pronounced “Casey”) which affect virtually all areas of civil practice — including products liability.  The “Preface” to the new instructions indicates that the intent was “to write instructions that are legally accurate and understandable to the average juror.” … read more

Discovery in Products Liability Cases – Back to Basics

By: Wylie Aitken & Richard Cohn Introduction It is often useful, if not essential, to employ unique and creative discovery and investigation tactics in Products Liability cases. Equally important, however, (but frequently overlooked even by experienced attorneys), is the need to perform simple, common-sense and basic discovery in order to prove up one’s case at… read more