Understand recent trends in product liability litigation.
Medical devices, pharmaceuticals, consumer products, and technology continue to evolve at a rapid pace. The development and use of these products impacts millions of people daily, and claims regarding safety, efficacy, chemical exposure, privacy, and others are under constant scrutiny. Companies must understand developments in legal and regulatory landscapes in order to protect their businesses from evolving claims and theories. This program will help you understand recent trends in product liability litigation including the types of products most recently under scrutiny, the claimed effects or injuries, and how to protect and defend against these claims. This includes understanding the legal theories being pursued, as well as strategies for defending against complex product liability claims, both procedurally and substantively. The threat of mass tort litigation carries its own specific risks and considerations, and this program will educate you on the specific strategies for combatting potential multi-plaintiff litigations. It will also touch on the most recent developments in the products, devices, and technologies targeted in litigation, with emphasis on future predictions and strategies for protecting business lines.
Learning Objectives
- You will be able to describe new product liability theories as to consumer products and technology that have developed over recent months.
- You will be able to discuss the substantive focus in current medical device, pharmaceutical, and consumer products mass torts and key litigation outcomes in applicable MDLs.
- You will be able to explain the impacts of recalls, lab reports, and other media attention on product liability claims.
- You will be able to identify strong defense strategies for combatting product liability claims procedurally through motion practice, and substantively through product defense and expert evaluation.
Agenda
Areas of Growth in Products Liability Litigation
- Recent Trends and Jurisdictional Update
- Developments in Legal Defenses
Chemical and Toxic Tort Litigation
- Trends and Areas of Focus in Toxic Tort Matters
- Individual Updates on Key Areas (Benzene, Pesticides, PFAs, Others)
Consumer Product Litigation
- Applicable Regulatory Scheme / Legal Considerations
- Hot Issues in Consumer Product Litigation
- Natural Labeling, Novel Claim Theories, and Other Trends
Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Litigation
- Significant Rulings and Mass Tort Implications
- Ongoing MDLs and Mass Tort Updates
Looking Forward
- Novel and Emerging Theories (Social Media, Fast Food, Technology)
- Cases to Watch
- Predictions and Takeaways
Speakers
Anne Gruner
Duane Morris LLP
- Special Counsel, Trial – Product Liability & Mass Torts
- Represents major medical device and pharmaceutical industry clients in complex products liability, class action and multidistrict litigation disputes. Counsels clients on catastrophic injury cases as well as mass tort matters in all phases of litigation, and assists with development of sophisticated expert workup to defend against novel scientific and causation theories.
- Regularly speaks and publishes on recent trends in product liability, mass tort, and toxic tort issues, including through defense organizations DRI, ACI, and IADC.
- J.D. Degree, Boston College Law School (cum laude), and B.A. Degree, Vanderbilt University (magna cum laude)
Alyson Lotman
Duane Morris, LLP
- Partner, Trial – Product Liability & Mass Torts, Team lead for Duane Morris Transportation, Automotive, and Logistics industry group
- J.D., Villanova University School of Law (cum laude), and B.A., Bucknell University (magna cum laude)
- Defends product liability cases across various industries, including automotive, consumer product, and life sciences. Counsels clients on mass tort and toxic tort litigation, including asbestos, benzene, silica, talc, and mold claims, as well as catastrophic injury claims and other serious personal injury claims.
Who Should Attend
This live webinar is designed for business owners and managers, presidents, vice presidents, directors, office managers, purchasing professionals, supervisors, accountants, and attorneys.
