Products Liability
Tough Venues, Top Results
Andrews Kurth trial lawyers have decades of experience defending manufacturers in products liability claims in some of the most renowned plaintiff-friendly venues in Texas.
Our lawyers have a national reputation for protecting clients in high-profile products liability cases, particularly in the areas of toxic tort defense and aviation accident defense.
To safeguard our clients from the potentially high damage awards often associated with personal injury, wrongful death and property damage claims based on allegations of defective design and manufacture, we are skilled in the jurisdictional and other procedural defenses that are often pivotal in these cases. At the same time, we stand ready and able to develop and manage the scientific and technical expert testimony so often required to win these cases on the merits.
Products Liability Defense
Andrews Kurth manages high-demand, complex litigation by combining big firm resources with the agility and efficiency of a right-sized litigation team. Our lawyers represent clients in state and federal trial courts, and on appeal, and have a proven track record of resolving litigation in mediation and arbitration as well.
We have represented many of the leading manufacturers of general aviation airplanes, helicopters and component parts, and also have significant experience representing makers of construction and medical equipment. Our trial-proven lawyers have also defended claims on behalf of makers of drugs and chemicals. In mass torts litigation, our practice background includes the defense of claims based on exposures to asbestos, tobacco, silica, cadmium, benzene and other industrial plant emissions.
Aviation Industry Defense
Andrews Kurth lawyers have well-known, long-standing defense counsel relationships with several significant players in the aviation industry.
We have developed particular strengths in aviation accident litigation. Our lawyers have tried and won cases on behalf of leading manufacturers of aircraft, component parts and affiliated products, and are both familiar with and experienced in handling the legal, regulatory and investigative considerations that are particular to these cases.
In addition to our successful trial record, our aviation case record includes the following landmark appellate decisions:
- Prejean v. Sonatrach, 652 F.2d 1260 (5th Cir. 1981)—Our lawyers secured the dismissal of all claims against our client, an aircraft manufacturer, on the basis of the Texas Long Arm Statute.
- Bearry v. Beech Aircraft Corp., 818 F.2d 370 (5th Cir. 1987)—In perhaps the most-cited Fifth Circuit case on general jurisdiction principles, our lawyers achieved the dismissal of all claims against our client, a general aviation manufacturer.
- Wenche-Siemer v. Learjet, 966 F.2d 179 (5th Cir. 1992)—Our lawyers won dismissal on personal jurisdiction grounds of all claims against our client, an aircraft manufacturer, despite its being registered to do business in the forum state.
- Kerstetter v. Pacific Scientific, 210 F.3d 431 (5th Cir. 2000)—In a very significant Fifth Circuit case on the government contractor defense, our lawyers won dismissal of all claims against our client, the manufacturer of a military trainer airplane.
- Jones v. Raytheon Aircraft Servs., 120 S.W.3d 40 (Tex. App.– San Antonio 2003, pet. denied)—Our lawyers obtained the dismissal of all claims against our client, an aircraft manufacturer, on the basis of the doctrine of forum non conveniens.
- Miller v. Raytheon Aircraft Co., 229 S.W.3d 358 (Tex. App.–Houston [1st Dist.] 2007, no pet.)—In a case of first impression in Texas, our attorneys won the dismissal of all claims brought by a pilot against our client, a corporate aircraft fractional ownership company, based on federal preemption under the Airline Deregulation Act.
Toxic Tort Defense
With over thirty years of continuous representation of defendants in toxic tort litigation, Andrews Kurth is a proven leader in regional, national and local toxic tort litigation. Complemented by Andrews Kurth’s environmental practice, Andrews Kurth’s toxic tort practice offers a comprehensive approach to today’s mass tort challenges.
