Consumer Class Action Lawsuits

On February 13, 2015 / Class Actions, Featured Practice Area, Practice Areas

From our office in Houston, the law firm of Caddell & Chapman handles consumer class action lawsuits nationwide.

Established in 1985, our law firm is dedicated to handling significant cases, cases presenting challenges that require a great deal of creativity and resources to overcome. Our lawyers have earned a record of success taking on major businesses, such as Ford, TransUnion, Equifax, Experian, Exxon Mobil, Lexis Nexis, Shell, Celanese, DuPont, Firestone, Hyundai, State Farm, Farmers, Hartford, Allstate, Toshiba, American Express, and others.

If you believe you have been wronged by a business in any way, our lawyers are here to assert your rights.

Turning Consumer Protection Claims Into Class Action Lawsuits

When individuals turn to us with a consumer protection claim, we will thoroughly review the issue to determine how many people have been impacted. Frequently, we find that issues that impact one consumer often turn out to be issues that impact many consumers.

We build strong class action lawsuits designed to get compensation for every individual impacted by the wrongdoing of the business. For example, Caddell & Chapman was co-lead counsel in the largest consumer property damage case in history, in which over $1.2 billion (total attorneys’ fees: $42,230,000; litigation expenses: $536,000) was recovered from Shell and Celanese. Beginning in the late 1970s, Shell Oil worked with Celanese and DuPont in the development and marketing of a polybutylene plumbing (PB) system. The pipes were made of polybutylene, which is a resin by-product of a Shell oil-refining process, and the fittings were developed and manufactured by Celanese and DuPont. The systems were marketed to the residential home market. The three companies claimed the PB systems would last the normal lifetime of most buildings, but, in fact, the products were likely to degrade or corrode and ultimately fail when exposed to chemicals found in drinking water.

Some of the consumer protection issues that frequently turn into class action lawsuits are:

Using Class Actions To Assist Those Who Cannot Be Heard

Caddell & Chapman also has served the community through its class action practice. On a pro bono basis, Caddell & Chapman represented victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in a national class action lawsuit against the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), alleging that FEMA’s mishandling of its housing assistance programs violates federal laws and regulations. The firm persuaded a federal district court to issue a preliminary injunction against FEMA compelling the agency to provide assistance with hurricane victims’ utilities as well as base rent.

“For Some Katrina Evacuees, Another Displacement Looms,” The Washington Post

Consumers: Tell Us About Your Claims

Businesses can wrong consumers in countless ways. If you believe the wrongdoing of a business has cost you money, contact us today.

Attorneys: We Can Assist With Complex Class Actions

If a client has come to you with a consumer protection claim that you have determined is actually a class action issue, we encourage you to turn to our experienced lawyers for assistance. Contact us today.

Automotive Product Defect

On February 12, 2015 / Class Actions, Practice Areas

Defective Cars and Car Parts

In a surprisingly large number of cases, car accidents are not the fault of a negligent driver. They are the fault of a defective car, or a design defect, which can cause a serious personal injury or wrongful death.

We have a long history of success in auto product liability cases. In fact, during our more than two decades of practice, we have achieved victories over some major corporations, such as Ford, Honda, and Firestone.

Types of Auto Product Defects

One of the most common types of auto product defects is defective tires. Poorly designed or improperly manufactured tires are frequently the cause of car, truck, and motorcycle accidents. The party that holds the blame is the manufacturer.

At the law firm of Caddell & Chapman, we have the experience to see that these manufacturers are held accountable when a product is defective.

Of course, tires aren’t the only automotive part that can be defective. Seatbelts and other parts can also cause serious problems if defective.

In some cases, our investigation reveals that the vehicle itself is improperly designed. We frequently see this in rollover accident cases in which serious roof crush takes place because the car simply is not crashworthy, which means that the vehicle is not capable of protecting its occupants from a foreseeable and survivable accident. As one example, Caddell & Chapman prosecuted claims in Los Angeles, California against Ford Motor Company and Budget Rent A Car Systems, Inc. arising from the rollover of a 2004 Ford E350 Van. The case arose after 21 family members rented three vans and drove from California to Texas. While in West Texas, the driver of the middle van drove off of the highway, while family members in the other vans watched. Due to the instability of the van, the driver was unable to regain control of the vehicle. In the rollover event that followed the van’s windows shattered, and several of the seat belted adults were ejected through the van’s open doors and windows, and all of the van occupants were injured. The family alleged that Budget failed to follow its own protocols and to warn them of the inherent instability of the van. The family also alleged that the van was defective due to instability and Ford’s failure to protect the passengers with proper doors, windows, and seat belts. The terms of the family’s settlement were held confidential.

Also, in Hidalgo County, Texas, Caddell & Chapman developed and resolved a product liability lawsuit against General Motors pertaining to the air bag system of its 1992 Geo Metro. Plaintiffs alleged that the Metro’s air bag caused a driver’s death following a side impact collision; the air bag system was overly-aggressive. The car manufacturer insisted on the confidentially of the settlement terms.

Nationwide Representation in Auto Accident and Aviation Accident Cases

From our office in Houston, we have spent more than two decades representing accident victims throughout the United States.

Our lawyers are able to get to the heart of these matters. We can handle the most complex matters, including those in which both a negligent driver and an auto manufacturer hold some level of responsibility for the same accident. We build strong cases designed to get results, no matter what the cause of a car accident.

Caddell & Chapman also has successfully represented clients with other product defect claims. For example, the law firm was hired by clients from the Dominican Republic in claims against American Airlines and Airbus. The litigation arose from the crash of American Airlines Flight 587, which occurred on November 12, 2001 and resulted in the deaths of 265 people.

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