Product Liability Litigation
Stites & Harbison represents a broad cross-section of product manufacturers in regional and national litigation. We are trial and appellate lawyers who focus on defending complex or high-profile lawsuits.
Stites & Harbison has significant experience with most consumer, commercial, and industrial products, including:
- Asbestos
- Agricultural vehicles & implements
- Automobiles & component parts
- Building materials
- Beverages
- Chemicals & dyes
- Construction equipment
- Electrical equipment & electronics
- Food production
- Industrial tools & presses
- Ladders & scaffolding
- Medical devices
- Pharmaceuticals
- Plastics & composites
- Recreational vehicles & products
- Steel & iron components
- Trucks & transportation fleets
- Toxic substances
Stites & Harbison also makes a special effort to counsel clients on prevention and risk-management aimed at reducing the incidence of product-related accidents and minimizing or preventing product liability lawsuits.
When lawsuits do occur, our firm's lawyers actively involve product manufacturers in developing the most effective defenses. Among other activities, we:
- Coordinate the defense of product liability litigation on a regional and national basis
- Select local counsel
- Formulate sophisticated strategies
- Manage relevant and discoverable documents
- Identify and protect privileged documents
- Provide uniform discovery responses
- Prepare company employees for depositions
- Develop expert witness testimony.
In addition, our lawyers are experienced in litigation budgeting, alternative fee arrangements, and cost-effective case management.
More than 20 attorneys with the firm are trained in the engineering disciplines and natural sciences. Members of the group participate in all national organizations with an interest in the effective defense of product liability lawsuits, serve on editorial boards of industry publications, write and publish useful articles, and appear on national product liability panels and programs.
Stites & Harbison Welcomes Litigator Robin Miller
COVINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 9, 2021)—Stites & Harbison, PLLC welcomes attorney Robin D. Miller to its Covington, Ky., office.
Will COVID-19 Toll the Statute of Limitations in Product Liability Actions?
As the COVID-19 pandemic stretches into 2021 with no clear end in sight, a good question for product liability defendants is whether the pandemic will have a tolling effect on the applicable statute of limitations. In product liability cases, state law provides a statute of limitations to bar untimely-filed claims against the product manufacturer, distributor, or retailer. The point is to provide a predictable time period for a plaintiff to investigate the claim, identify the proper parties, and file suit.
Stites & Harbison Welcomes Three Attorneys to Kentucky Offices
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC announces the addition of three attorneys to the firm. Megan Barker joins the Lexington, Ky., office while Caitlyn Barnes and Ameena Khan join the Louisville, Ky., office. All are admitted to practice in Kentucky.
Whitney Frazier Watt Appointed to Governor’s Scholars Board of Directors
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has appointed Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Whitney Frazier Watt to the Board of Directors of the Governor’s Scholars Program.
4th Circ. Says 'Unfair' Va. Law Forces It To Nix Black Lung Suit
Law360 (November 9, 2020, 6:04 PM EST) -- Holding that the court was bound to interpret Virginia's statute of limitations "as it is, not as we would like it to be," the Fourth Circuit has affirmed a lower court's decision to toss a lung disease-stricken coal miner's claims against respirator companies accused of selling poor-quality breathing equipment.
Marjorie Farris to Be First Woman to Lead Stites & Harbison Law Firm
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC, announced today that Kentucky native Marjorie A. Farris will become the firm’s new Chair effective January 2021. She will be the first woman to lead the firm since its founding in 1832.
Carolyn Purcell Michener Appointed to Fund for the Arts NeXtGen Board
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Fund for the Arts recently appointed Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Carolyn Purcell Michener to its NeXtGen Board. She will serve a three-year term.
Stites & Harbison Welcomes Former Federal Prosecutor Brian Butler to the Firm
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC welcomes attorney Brian Butler to the firm’s Louisville, Ky., office.
Aaron Klein Selected for Membership in Louis D. Brandeis American Inn of Court
The Louis D. Brandeis American Inn of Court recently selected Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Aaron Klein as an Associate member.
Brittany Cross Carlson Selected for Leadership Kentucky’s Class of 2020
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Leadership Kentucky has selected Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney J. Brittany Cross Carlson as a member of the 2020 Leadership Kentucky program.
New Kentucky Statute Provides Defenses To Medical Workers Who Treat COVID-19 Patients
On March 30, 2020, Kentucky Senate Bill 150 became effective which addresses numerous issues arising from the COVID-19 state of emergency. Included in that new statute is a provision that for any health care provider who, in good faith, renders care or treatment of a COVID-19 patient during the state of emergency, those health care providers shall have a defense to civil liability for ordinary negligence for any personal injury resulting from that care or treatment or failure to provide or arrange further medical treatment.
Robert Connolly Elected to The Nature Conservancy Board of Trustees
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The Nature Conservancy recently elected Stites & Harbison, PLLC Chair, Robert M. Connolly, to its Board of Trustees of the Kentucky Chapter.
Chambers USA 2020 Honors 19 Stites & Harbison Attorneys
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Chambers USA selected 19 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in Kentucky and Tennessee for inclusion in their 2020 guide.