On February 7, 2025, Judge Walker, sitting in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, ruled that the Plaintiff (a subsidiary of a parent company engaged in nationwide talcum powder litigation) (“Plaintiff”) had standing to sue
Latest from Product Perspective: Complex Tort & Product Law
Navigating the Legal Landscape of Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
The electric vehicle (“EV”) revolution is reshaping the automotive industry, promising a greener future and reduced reliance on fossil fuels. However, as EV adoption accelerates, manufacturers face a growing legal and regulatory challenge: the risk of lithium-ion battery fires, which
U.S. Navy’s Nonadherence to Asbestos Policy Opens Door to Lawsuit
As a sovereign entity, the United States government is immune from suit unless it consents to be sued.1 However, its sovereign immunity may be waived under certain circumstances under the Federal Torts Claim Act (“FTCA”), which is the exclusive
Guns, Liability, and the Law: Why the Gustafson Decision Matters
The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) has long been a cornerstone of protection for firearms manufacturers and sellers, shielding them from liability when their products are misused in crimes. But recent litigation, including the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s
Arbitration’s Double-Edged Sword: The Rise of Mass Claims
In recent years, numerous businesses have successfully enforced broad arbitration clauses, particularly those embedded in terms and conditions of online service agreements. We previously discussed a noteworthy example from a recent New Jersey appeals panel decision.1 The underlying cause
Artificial Intelligence: The ‘Black Box’ of Product Liability
“With great power comes great responsibility,” and in the rapidly evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence (“AI”), the intersection of innovation and legal responsibility is becoming increasingly complex. As AI becomes more integrated into products and services across industries, matters regarding
Another Bite at the Apple: Court Tosses Defense Verdict in Infant Formula Litigation
In December 2024, we reported on a City of St. Louis, Missouri jury verdict in favor of baby formula manufacturers in a lawsuit claiming their specialized infant formulas for premature babies caused an infant to develop necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a
Tort Reform in Georgia Headed to the Governor’s Desk
The Georgia Assembly passed sweeping tort reform on Friday, March 21, 2025. Governor Brian Kemp had announced his tort reform package on January 30, 2025. The Georgia Senate subsequently passed two bills, Senate Bill 68 on February 21, 2025, and
Texas Court Upholds Summary Judgment in Silica Case
The Texas Fourteenth Court of Appeals upheld summary judgment for Exxon Mobil corporation in Stanley Cole v. Exxon Mobil Corp. (No. 14-22-00756-CV), a premises liability case involving alleged exposure to olivine dust. The ruling highlights the importance of reliable expert
7th Circuit Update: What Martin v. Goodrich Means for IL’s Workers’ Compensation Landscape
We previously reported that the Illinois Supreme Court issued its long-awaited decision in Martin v. Goodrich Corp., upholding the constitutionality of a 2019 amendment to the Illinois Workers’ Occupational Diseases Act (the “Act”).1 Since then, the Seventh Circuit has