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In Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and much of the nation, every manufacturer has the responsibility to sell only safe products. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers take that responsibility seriously, resulting in needless injuries or even deaths. When consumers are injured, they may feel like David taking on Goliath; however, we at Raynes McCarty are here to stand by them in the fight.
We have successfully taken on some of the biggest companies in the world. We conduct extensive technical research and work with the leading experts in each field of industry. To prove our case, we reenact accidents, develop computer models, and build prototypes of safer designs. We amass volumes of documents, sharing resources with other leading plaintiffs' firms around the country, and then computer index the documents.
In every case, in addition to seeking to ensure the financial security of our clients, we work to change the industry—to get unsafe products off the market, to improve product design, and to change work practices.
Some of our product liability cases include:
- $35,000,000 in Lifetime Benefits in Stove Tipover Accident
for a Young Boy An apartment stove tipped over when a five-year-old
boy stood on its open door while trying to reach a pot. The pot
of scalding water toppled off the stove, spilled onto the boy,
and severely burned his groin and upper thighs. The landlord had
ignored Philadelphia's building code, which requires every apartment
stove to be anchored to the floor at the back of the stove. The
stove manufacturer violated the standards for the home appliance
industry when it failed to provide essential safety information.
Martin K. Brigham's role as lead trial counsel for the boy in
his claim against the landlord and the stove manufacturer was
featured as a Spotlight case in ATLA's Law Reporter. Click
here to read the article.
- Confidential Seven-Figure Settlement for Blindness Caused
by Microwave Radiation A veteran became blind many years after
his work as a radar operator exposed him to high intensity microwave
radiation. Through tireless investigation using the Freedom of
Information Act, one of our lawyers was able to uncover decades-old
federal test results that documented significant radiation exposure.
Because of a lack of research in American medical literature,
it was necessary to translate a number of foreign studies to establish
how the blindness occurred. A confidential seven-Figure settlement
from the defense contractor who designed the radar was achieved
for the veteran. The case was reported in the national publication
Microwave News.
- $10,250,000 Verdict in Swimming Pool Accident Richard
dove from a wooden deck into a backyard, aboveground swimming
pool, not understanding its shallow depth. He struck his head
on the bottom and was paralyzed. Raynes McCarty sued the manufacturer
of the pool liner on Richard's behalf, because the liner had neither
adequate depth markers nor warnings against diving. At trial,
Roy DeCaro and David Binder convinced a federal jury to return
a $10,250,000 verdict in favor of our client. Click
here to read more about the case.
- Confidential Recovery for Worker Burned Because "Flame Retardant"
Uniform Failed Working at a lead smelter, Tom was splattered
with molten metal that had spilled from a crucible. The
metal landed on his work uniform, which was supposed to be flame
retardant. The uniform failed, and instead of self extinguishing,
provided the fuel to transform, what would have been limited superficial
burns, to burns over more than 70% of Tom' s body. Martin
K. Brigham led the team of lawyers in the lawsuit against the
uniform supplier. Mr. Brigham established that the uniform
company had used the wrong type of fabric. By reenacting the accident
with the proper fabric, he was able to establish that Tom' s injuries
were directly related to the uniform' s failure. Mr. Brigham
was able to secure a settlement for Tom that was described at
the time as being the largest pre-trial settlement for a burn
survivor in Pennsylvania' s federal courts.
- Confidential Settlement for Woman Burned in Propane Gas Grill Explosion Concerned about theft, a family stored its propane gas grill in the kitchen when it was not being used. The home owner asked her daughter Marian to take the propane cylinder to be refilled. After trying to make sure that the cylinder valve was closed, Marian attempted to disconnect the hose. Unexpectedly, gas escaped, reached a source of ignition and exploded, severely burning Marian. Attorneys Roy DeCaro and Martin Brigham teamed up to represent Marian. They discovered that a safety device – a back check assembly – would have prevented the accident and had been recommended by the Consumer Product Safety Commission for more than a decade. Armed with the minutes from meetings at which the Defendants fought to delay the use of the safety device, DeCaro and Brigham earned the Court’s permission to seek punitive damages. A video settlement brochure, including a computer animation of the effectiveness of the safety device, facilitated a very successful confidential resolution for Marian. Click here to read more about the case.
- $7,200,000 Settlement in Forklift Accident Jim worked
in a steel distribution warehouse, operating a specially designed
forklift that was supposed to be guided down the narrow aisle
by rails. Late one evening, co-workers heard Jim's scream. Running
to his aid, they found his head pinned between the side of the
forklift and the end of a shelf support. Unfortunately, Jim's
brain damage was permanent. Thorough investigation revealed both
that the forklift repair company had put the operator controls
in backwards and that the warehouse designer had improperly spaced
the guide rails. Using a videotape settlement brochure to demonstrate
how the case would be presented at trial, Marty Brigham led the
legal team that achieved a $7.2 million settlement for Jim. Click
here to read more about the case.
- $4,500,000 Settlement for Electrician in Compressor Explosion
While Mike was troubleshooting a commercial air conditioning unit,
the compressor—made in 1954—overheated. The lubricating
oil pressurized and exploded out through an electrical terminal,
where a spark ignited the oil as it sprayed onto Mike. Even though
Mike's employer had thrown out the compressor, Martin K. Brigham,
lead trial counsel, was able to use photographs to identify the
manufacturer, which led to the discovery that this style of compressor
had caused many similar accidents. Mike's case settled for $4.5
million. Click
here to read more about the case.
- $4,500,000 for Hand Burned in Press Marty worked a press
that made DVDs; one morning his dominant hand became caught in
the press at the point of operation, burning off his fingers and thumb. David Binder and Stephen Raynes prosecuted his claims against the
manufacturer and distributor for failing to have a proper guard
in place; they achieved a $4.5 million settlement.
- $3,300,000 for Failure of Boat Seat Jeanne, a school
bus driver, was standing on a recreational motor boat, holding
onto a plastic seat for support. When the driver and owner of
the boat started the boat, the plastic chair released from its
post. Jeanne was thrown in the water, where she suffered the amputation
of her arm. David Binder and Stephen Raynes brought suit against
the manufacturers of the boat, the seat, and its component parts
for failing to have a proper securing mechanism on the seat. After
a week of trial in Federal Court, a $3.3 million settlement was
achieved for the client.
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