"The entire team provides outstanding legal services."
Chambers USA
Overview
Calfee’s Tort, Accident, and Product Liability (TAPL) practice provides counsel for a wide range of clients across many industries, including manufacturing, medical, legal, and public utilities. When tort, accident, and product liability claims arise, Calfee attorneys assist clients at every step, from setting up a response and investigation procedure to handling a matter at trial and on appeal.
Our experience in developing and identifying response procedures has enabled clients to assess, at an early stage, what happened, why it happened, and whether further incidents can be prevented. Through this process, we assist clients in preserving and identifying key facts and evidence, while reducing the risk of an adverse litigation result.
Specifically, our attorneys assist public and privately held enterprises and individual clients with the following:
- Investigation of the events surrounding incidents that result in actual or potential tort claims
- Identification and protection of potential uninsured exposure
- Development of strategic defenses based on the specific allegations asserted
- Litigation of claims through trial and appellate levels
- Development and implementation of post-incident procedures
- Periodic and systematic reviews of product instructions and warnings
- Consumer product representations, warranties, and regulations counseling.
While the group primarily focuses on conduct- or negligence-based claims, we handle all types of tort claims, including product liability, premises liability, strict liability, and intentional tort claims.
We have handled claims in multiple jurisdictions involving a diverse array of industries, including utility, airline, trucking, and railroad clients. To assist in our defense of claims involving such industries, we have a significant and well-vetted list of experts who are deposition-ready and trial-tested in a variety of disciplines.
Somewhat unique to other U.S. firms practicing in this area, Calfee’s team delivers not only a well-developed, negligence-based focus but also deep experience working alongside our experts to develop litigation strategy and defenses when factors such as speed, operator error, or third-party actions result in death, injury, or property damage.
In addition, we provide clients counseling and assistance in making decisions regarding warnings, responses to inquiries from government agencies, subsequent remedial measures, product recalls, consumer issues, and any other issues that arise depending upon the incident, claim, product, or service at issue.
Noteworthy
Chambers USA Leading Law Firm Rankings
Since 2005, Calfee has been recognized as a Leading Law Firm for Litigation: General Commercial by Chambers USA, most recently in Band 2 in Ohio (2024).
Chambers USA researchers noted that the team "frequently advises on the plaintiff and defense-side commercial litigation matters, offering considerable strengths in securities, product liability, antitrust and construction disputes. Also offers experience in criminal litigation, defending a range of individuals and businesses facing regulatory enforcement actions. Acts for clients in sectors including healthcare, financial services, and manufacturing."
Clients interviewed by Chambers USA researchers commented, "We're very pleased with the firm's breadth of expertise and ability to bring together the right people. I think they are a good balance of practical and strategic. Calfee is very responsive; it's an excellent firm. They're savvy, quick to adapt, and put people at ease in complex commercial litigation. The team is exceptionally responsive. The entire team provides outstanding legal services."
Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” Rankings
Calfee was selected for inclusion in the 2025 "Best Law Firms" rankings in numerous litigation areas, including:
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants (Regional Tier 2 Cleveland)
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants (Regional Tier 3 Cleveland)
- Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (Regional Tier 1 Cleveland)
Benchmark Litigation Rankings
Calfee was selected for inclusion by Benchmark Litigation 2025 as a Highly Recommended Law Firm in Dispute Resolution in Ohio. Additionally, 16 of Calfee's Litigation partners have been ranked by Benchmark Litigation as "Litigation Stars" in the U.S. (National), Midwest, and Ohio and as “40 & Under" and "Future Stars" Honorees.
Professionals
Professionals
Experience
Experience
- Lead attorney representing the prevailing utility in a personal injury action from trial through the decision by The Ohio Supreme Court – Link v. FirstEnergy, 147 Ohio St. 3d, 2016-Ohio-5083
- Lead attorney representing the prevailing utility in a wrongful death action from trial through the decision by The Ohio Supreme Court – Turner v. Ohio Bell Tel. Co., 118 Ohio St. 3d 215, 2008-Ohio-2010
- Lead attorney representing a utility from trial through the decision by The Ohio Supreme Court in Allstate Ins. Co. v. Cleveland Elec. Illum. Co., 119 Ohio St. 3d 301, 2008-Ohio-3917
- Lead attorney for the prevailing property management holding company in a case in The Ohio Supreme Court – State, ex rel. The K&D Group, Inc. v. Buehrer, 135 Ohio St. 3d 257, 2013-Ohio-734
- Lead plaintiff’s attorney in a case in which the jury awarded the largest plaintiff verdict in the State of Ohio in 2002 in a wrongful death automobile accident case – Lori Austin, Adm. of the Estate of Craig Austin v. Scott G. Leiendecker, Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. CV-01-443864
- Lead attorney for the prevailing police officer in a reported Federal Court excessive force case – Wallace v. City of Shelby, 968 F. Supp. 1204 (1997)
- Jury trial of a tort action involving claims for negligent hiring, retention, and supervision.
Services
Services
- Personal injury claims
- Wrongful death claims
- Property damage claims
- Products liability claims
- Mass tort / toxic tort claims
- Intentional tort claims
- Strict liability claims
- Professional Standard of Care Defense
- Underinsured and uninsured motorist claims
- Fraud investigations
- Excess exposure issues in litigation or coverage
Calfee attorneys operate in an environment conducive to a free-flowing exchange of information between the attorney and the client, yet our attorneys are mindful of the need to maintain the protection from disclosure that the attorney/client privilege and/or work product doctrine provides. The actions of the group in counseling our clients at an early stage are designed to reduce subsequent legal costs and expenses and to place the client in the best position to defend against future claims.
Having in place a set procedure to receive and respond to notice of an incident can:
- Reduce the amount of time employees will have to spend searching for documents and information after an incident.
- Reduce defense costs.
- Reduce the risk of an adverse litigation result.
News & Events
News
