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.