PRACTICE AREAS

On a local, regional and national basis, Eckert Seamans has defended lawsuits arising from exposure to numerous substances, including:

• prescription and OTC medications
• asbestos
• benzene
• silica
• isocyanates
• polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
• organic solvents
• formaldehyde
• pesticides
• contaminated groundwater

These lawsuits have involved diverse circumstances of exposure and a wide variety of medical conditions and diseases, including restrictive and obstructive lung diseases, occupational asthma, muscle disorders, strokes, cancers of various types, dermatological problems, neurological dysfunctions, reproductive and genetic disorders, and claims of immune system suppression/alteration, disease phobia and the alleged need for medical monitoring.

In the course of defending thousands of mass tort claims, Eckert Seamans’ lawyers have served as (i) national coordinator for the defense of claims involving medications, chemical products, and asbestos-containing products, (ii) lead trial counsel in single- and multiple-plaintiff cases, and (iii) joint defense counsel for multiple defendants.  The firm's lead counsel experience has encompassed cases tried to verdict and appeals in state and federal courts throughout the United States.

In support of the firm's litigation practice, Eckert Seamans has opened a unique Litigation Management Online^SM Center(“LMO^SM”).  The LMO^SM mission is to support in-house and outside counsel in the coordination and defense of asbestos exposure claims and other large volume litigation matters.  The LMO^SM staff is organized into functional groups that include complaint processing, discovery, resource management and claims processing.  Through the use of advanced technology, including proprietary Lotus Notes-based electronic case management systems, the LMO^SM staff provides an efficient and cost-effective operation to support all aspects of the litigation process.

The firm's background and experience in this practice area give rise to significant efficiencies, such as:

• minimization of the "learning curve" involved in handling any new matter;
• the prompt development of effective defense strategies;
• access to the firm's significant collection of legal authorities relating to exposure, causation and liability issues commonly encountered in this type of litigation;
• the early identification and retention of appropriate experts to deal with medical, toxicological, industrial hygiene, warnings and other issues; and
• the earliest possible evaluation of the merits of a claim to facilitate implementation of the client's defense strategy and the ultimate disposition of the case.