Practices
Product Liability
McCann FitzGerald has acted for defendants in most significant product liability cases in Ireland over the past 30 years. Our expertise includes handling national mass tort type litigation, where large numbers of plaintiffs sue. In many cases, clients may be sued in several countries, and we work closely with law firms and experts abroad.
Our expertise:
Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices
McCann FitzGerald has defended litigation claims about blood and blood products, narcolepsy, psychotropic medications, malaria prophylaxis, phocomelia, childhood vaccines, insulin pens, isotretinoin, hip and knee prostheses, mesh implants and hospital and surgical equipment.
The firm has won a Financial Times Innovative Lawyer Standout Award award for developing a successful ADR process to resolve a mass tort medical device litigation where our client was sued by over 1,300 claimants.
Industrial and Consumer Products
Our team acted for a tobacco company in the successful defence of over 400 smoking and health claims. We have defended claims about automobiles, chemical components, industrial equipment and day-to-day consumer products, including food and drinks.
Environmental Torts / ESG claims
McCann FitzGerald represented a nuclear fuels processor in claims against it in Ireland alleging leukaemia injuries through environmental exposure. We have also defended asbestosis and mesothelioma claims. Other environmental cases include a recent defence of an Irish manufacturer for alleged contamination of water supply.
Product Regulation, Safety and Inquiries
Our team has advised on many product recalls, including a large scale urgent recall from every hospital in Ireland and a “look-back” programme to identify persons that received contaminated products.
McCann FitzGerald has also acted in public inquires about blood products, use of cadaver body parts and vaccine trials. We recently represented an aircraft operator in an air accident investigation and subsequent coroner’s inquest following a fatal air accident. We also defend clients facing potential criminal liability for alleged breaches of health and safety legislation.
Recent highlights:
- US multinational manufacturer of orthopaedic products, in over 1,300 claims in Ireland arising from a voluntary recall of its hip replacement devices
- UK/US pharmaceutical manufacturer, in over 100 claims in respect of its swine flu vaccine
- German pharmaceutical company, in multiple claims being brought by persons allegedly injured by thalidomide
- International motor manufacturer in claims following an automotive fire in a large Irish shopping centre
- German surgical implants manufacturer, in defending multiple actions alleging negligent product design and testing
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