Fire, Toxic, and Chemical Injuries

Propane Tank Explosion. We represented two factory workers. They were severely burned when a defectively designed gauge dial on a propane tank caused a propane leak and explosion. We successfully prosecuted a claim against the manufacturers of the tank and the gauge. The case settled after two days of mediation with a Federal District Court judge.

Fleetwood RV Fuel System: Fatal Fire. This wrongful death/product liability action was against a recreational-vehicle manufacturer and a fuel-system component-part supplier. Plaintiff claimed that fatal burn injuries were caused by the defective design of the fuel system in a Fleetwood motor home. Principal issues involved the fuel system design and performance. The case prompted a product recall and reconfiguration in design of the component parts of the fuel system.

Explosion in Wood Mill Green Dryer: Industrial Accident. A worker suffered severe burns and died as a result of an explosion in a particle board green dryer. On behalf of Plaintiff, we successfully claimed that the dryer system failed to have appropriate safety features in its computer logic controls and lacked adequate explosion vents. The case involved engineering design issues, computer software, and multiple technical specialties.

Flammable Pajama Fabric. This product liability claim was against the manufacturer and distributor of flammable materials. Our six-year-old client sustained burn injuries when her cotton flannel nightgown, made by her grandmother caught fire. The fabric was manufactured by one defendant and marketed by others.  We defeated the defendant's contention that there was no negligence involved because they had met the minimum federal standards, standards essentially written by stakeholders in the clothing industry. With dramatic video presentations, we proved how weak these standards were.  That presentation led to settlement of the case.

Field Burning Results in Multiple Collisions on I-5. The Court appointed our firm to serve as lead counsel regarding all claims, involving over 40 vehicles, arising from field burning related collisions on Interstate 5 south of Albany, Oregon. There were seven deaths and many individual claimants. Ultimately, all the cases settled through a coordinated settlement process in state and federal courts.

Industrial Accident: Mill Chemical System. We successfully represented an employee at a wood-products company who suffered complete blindness in one eye resulting from a malfunction of a chemical-delivery system that sprayed chemicals into his face.

Chemical Spill Injuries. A truck driver suffered "Reactive Airways Distress Syndrome" following exposure to fumes from a chemical spill. We successfully prosecuted claims against the manufacturer for negligent loading. The tanker truck failed to follow proper filling procedures to ensure the safety of the driver and users of the public roadways.

Swimming Pool Chemical Explosion. A woman suffered chemically-induced asthma after she mixed home swimming pool chemicals together in accordance with the retailer's instructions. The retailer sued the manufacturer, claiming negligent labeling.

Pesticide Damage. We represented two apiarists (bee-keepers) who traveled the West Coast contracting with farmers to pollinate their crops. They treated their bees with a chemical miticide that was supposed to kill the mites which infect honeybees. Instead, the miticide was defective and killed over half their colonies, thereby destroying their business.