Personal Injury, Product Defect & Mass Tort

Presided over nine consolidated cases for wrongful death or personal injury arising from a fire that occurred in the passenger section of a limousine while crossing a bridge. As part of a bridal shower event, nine women were passengers in a limo, that was 14 years old, when it caught fire under the floorboard and blocking the only exit doors. Abandoned by the driver, the women franticly attempted to squeeze out, one by one, through the small sliding window between the driver’s area and the passenger compartment. Some of the women did not make it out, and died of smoke inhalation and fire. Survivors and families of decedents sued on claims of product liability and negligence against the car manufacturer, the company that modifies cars to make them into limousines, the limo service, and the limo mechanics. Most parties settled before trial. The family of one decedent proceeded to one-month jury trial against the manufacturer. After jury verdict, the matter settled after filing notice of appeal.

Presided over pretrial proceedings in multiple unconsolidated personal injury lawsuits by approximately 100 individual customers of California franchised spas, who alleged that they were sexually touched, molested, and/or raped by employees performing massages.

Presided over pretrial proceedings in multiple separate asbestos litigation cases.