product liability

Product Liability in Michigan is here!

I'm happy to announce that my book, Product Liability in Michigan, is officially available! The electronic book seller links will be available in the next couple days (Amazon, B&N, and the like), but you can buy directly through the link above starting today.

This book started out as a pile of loose leaf papers in my desk drawer and it has really taken on a life of its own. I never imagined it would grow into the 182 page comprehensive guide that it is today. Practitioners will find not only an exhaustive guide to Michigan product liability, but also extensive discussion of ancillary issues that frequently come up in products cases. The book provides a starting point to practitioners on a number of these issues, irrespective of the type of case. Just a few examples:

  • Pleading standards in federal and state cases;
  • Procedural issues, including personal jurisdiction,  forum non conveniens, applicable statutes of limitation, and conflicts of law;
  • Common discovery issues like protective orders, the scope of discovery, and obtaining discovery out of state; and
  • The use of experts and Daubert standards in Michigan and the Sixth Circuit.

The table of contents gives an of what can be found inside. If you have a Michigan products case, a products case that touches Michigan law or Michigan companies, or a Michigan case with complex procedural issues, this book likely can get you off and running. 

Much of this work came from my own cases, with the balance coming from my own independent research. It has been enormously enriching for me and I hope that you get as much out of it reading as I did writing. Feel free to get in touch with your questions, comments, or suggestions.

Without further ado, you can buy the book here:

When is a product recall a good thing?

When is a product recall a good thing?

It may surprise you that I still patronize Starbucks. Although I'm a self-proclaimed fighter for the little guy, frequently play the part of David in his feature battle with the Goliath corporation of the week, and don't particularly like Starbucks coffee, I do really enjoy the iced coffee. I'm an infamous advocate of Zingerman's Coffee (a company local to me worth checking out if you're ever around Ann Arbor or see their stuff in a grocery store near you), but not even the scandalous revelation that Starbucks waters their iced coffee down with ice has kept me away.

The other day, I saw a recall notice on the counter for the stainless steel straws that came with some of Starbuck's cold drink containers. The convenient, washable, reusable device also turns out to be a hazard to our younger generation, who are more fall/crash/accident prone and likely to be hurt by the rigid steel straw.

Tesla accident showcases new tech, old problems

Sometimes I find myself amazed at how quickly things change. You probably have had the same sensation in your own life watching the internet take off, your kids grow up, or the seasons change. What might be more amazing, at least from my view, is how much stays the same.

For product liability advocates and attorneys around the country worrying that the advancements in automotive safety are going to put them out of a job, let me reassure you: some things never change. Exhibit A is the Tesla Model S, a terrific vehicle equipped with a feature called “Autopilot.” Full disclosure: Nothing makes me want to buy a new car more than watching Youtube videos of people in a shiny new Tesla reading the newspaper and playing Jenga while their car dispassionately handles their morning commute.