Product liability

Kennedys' Product liability is "refreshingly commercial" in its approach and the department, described as both "thriving" and "upcoming" has a "pragmatic, down to earth and commercial head."
(Chambers and Partners & Legal 500, 2006)

Kennedys' Product Liability Team comprises 20 partners and 16 solicitors. We act for high-profile multi-national manufacturers, leading UK and international insurers and the NHS Litigation Authority in a wide range of industry sectors including pharmaceutical, healthcare, biotechnology and engineering as well as foodstuffs, cosmetic and other consumer products.

Our breadth of experience means that Kennedys understands and can respond to all manner of product liability issues including cross-border and multi-jurisdictional advice.

The team works closely with its foreign and associated offices in Europe, Australasia, the Middle East and the US and provides comprehensive international product liability claims expertise.

Recent work

• Acting for a leading multi-national eye-care manufacturer in relation to defective lens implant multiparty action
• Acting for a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer in relation to SSRI/antidepressant drugs claims
• Acting on behalf of multinational healthcare manufacturers in relation to product allergy claims and other international group litigation actions
• Providing a leading US bio-tech company with advice on efficacy and risk management in relation to clinical trials being undertaken in 20 different countries
• Advising US insurers in respect of defective mining equipment subject to $20 million arbitration
• Acting on behalf of the NHSLA on "3m" hip claims group action
• Acting on behalf of an international motor manufacturer on defective products and recall claims
• Advising multi-national food manufacturers in relation to a very large variety of food products claims including contaminated foods and defective packaging
• Acting for manufacturers and insurers on cross-border claims including in Europe, the Far East and the USA
• Acting on behalf of several multi-national engineering manufacturers in relation to claims involving marine turbine engines, transformers, power stations, oil tanks and other complex engineering products claims
• In 2005 the group ran a series of product liability lectures to manufacturers and insurers both in the US and the UK