Personal Injury & Accident Law

Our Promise to You

Our attorneys have successfully represented clients across America in personal injury cases against many of the nation's most powerful corporations.
There is no charge or obligation for our review of your case.
In death and serious injury cases, we are pleased to visit you where you live, at no cost, to discuss your legal rights and answer your questions.
We have retained product safety and medical experts nationwide to assist in the prosecution of our clients' claims.
In addition to our attorneys, we have on staff six registered nurses, over 20 legal assistants, and investigators and litigation support specialists.

"One of the nation's premier plaintiffs' firms."

American Lawyer
"Representing the best qualities of the plaintiffs' bar."

The National Law Journal
"Their effective and caring advocacy for clients has earned Lieff Cabraser its first-class reputation."

The Daily Journal

Super Lawyers Nationwide

Click here to contact a personal injury attorney at Lieff Cabraser for a free, confidential review of your claim.

Practice Areas

Personal Injury

Obtaining Justice for the Injured

Lieff Cabraser has played a leading role in many of the largest, most important personal injury and wrongful death cases in the United States. These cases have involved negligent conduct as well as a vast range of defective products -- from dangerous prescription drugs and faulty medical devices to unsafe vehicles and consumer products. In many cases, we assisted our clients in persuading the corporate defendants to issue recalls or improve their safety procedures for the protection of all consumers and patients.

Outstanding Legal Talent

We are experienced trial lawyers that represent only plaintiffs. Many of our attorneys have been recognized by national and state publications as leading personal injury attorneys. In 2008, Lieff Cabraser injury attorneys Robert J. Nelson and Scott P. Nealey were selected California Lawyers of the Year by California Lawyer magazine for obtaining a $54.4 million verdict against DaimlerChrysler.

Since 2003, The National Law Journal has selected Lieff Cabraser as one of the top plaintiffs' law firms in the nation. We are one of only two plaintiffs' law firms in the United States to receive this honor for the last nine years. U.S. News and Best Lawyers has recognized our firm as the nation's Law Firm of the Year for 2011-2012 in the category of Mass Torts and Plaintiffs' Class Actions..

Remarkable recoveries

We have obtained more than $400 million for our clients in individual personal cases, including awards of over $3 million in 27 separate cases. In addition, we have obtained judgments and settlements in excess of $15 billion in product liability class actions. This amount does not include our work in the landmark $206 billion recovery in the Attorney General litigation against the tobacco industry.

The resources to hold the powerful accountable

We are among the largest firms in the United States that represent only plaintiffs. In addition to our sixty-plus attorneys, we have on staff six registered nurses, over 20 legal assistants, and investigators and litigation support specialists. Considerable personnel resources, along with our ability to advance the costs in our clients' cases, enable Lieff Cabraser to litigate against the largest and most powerful corporations in the world.

Attentive, personal service

We work closely with our clients throughout the litigation process to maximize and expedite their recoveries. Each client is assigned an attorney who is responsible for prosecuting the case and regularly communicating with the client. At the same time, our attorneys work as a team, drawing upon their combined knowledge, training, and skills to provide our clients with decades of litigation expertise.

Successes

Case	Result
Multi-State Tobacco Litigation	Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, represented the Attorneys' General of Massachusetts, Illinois, Louisiana, Indiana, Rhode Island and New Hampshire and 18 cities and counties in California, including the City and County of San Francisco, the City of Los Angeles and the City of San Jose, in litigation against Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds and other cigarette manufacturers. Full Story $206 billion settlement
Vioxx	Lieff Cabraser represented patients that suffered heart attacks or strokes, and the families of loved ones who died, after having being prescribed the arthritis and pain medication Vioxx. Full Story $4.85 billion settlement
Fen-Phen Diet Drugs	Lieff Cabraser filed the first class action lawsuit in federal court based on the dangers of the diet drug Fen-Phen. Full Story $4.75 billion settlement
Sulzer Hip & Knee Implants	In December 2000, Sulzer Orthopedics, Inc., announced the recall of approximately 30,000 units of its Inter-Op Acetabular Shell Hip Implant, followed in May 2001 with a notification of failures of its Natural Knee II Tibial Baseplate Knee Implant. Full Story $1 billion settlement
Bextra / Celebrex	Lieff Cabraser served as Plaintiffs’ Liaison Counsel and Elizabeth J. Cabraser chaired the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee charged with overseeing all personal injury and consumer litigation in Federal courts nationwide arising out of the sale and marketing of the COX-2 inhibitors Bextra and Celebrex. Full Story $850 million in settlements
Guidant Defibrillators	In January 2008, the parties reached a global settlement of the action for $240 million. Full Story $240 million settlement
Albuterol	Lieff Cabraser served on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in a class action lawsuit against Copley Pharmaceutical (which manufactured the bronchodilator drug Albuterol) after a microorganism was found to have contaminated the solution. Full Story $150 million settlement
Telectronics Pacing Systems	In March 2001, the district court approved a renewed settlement that included a $58 million fund to satisfy all past, present and future claims by patients for their medical care, injuries, or damages arising from the lead. Full Story $58 million settlement
Mraz v. DaimlerChrysler	In 2007, Lieff Cabraser attorneys obtained a $54 million verdict against Chrysler in the Mraz v. DaimlerChrysler wrongful death case arising out of a defective vehicle (the park-to-reverse transmission defect). Full Story $54 million verdict in defective vehicle case
Tri-State Crematory	For years, the Tri-State Crematory failed to perform cremations and passed off wood chips and other substances as ashes. Full Story $37 million settlement
Vanderbilt Radiation Exposure	We served as Lead Counsel for over 800 pregnant women and their children fed radioactive iron without their consent while receiving prenatal care at defendant Vanderbilt's hospital in the 1940's. Full Story $10.3 million settlement
Guillot v. DaimlerChrysler	Lieff Cabraser prosecuted a wrongful death case against Chrysler involving a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the park-to-reverse transmission defect. The jury held Chrysler liable for the death of the infant, Colin Guillot, and returned a $7.2 million verdict (including interest). Full Story $7.2 million verdict
Silicone Gel Breast Implants	In 1992, the Court appointed Lieff Cabraser to the Plaintiffs' Lead Counsel Committee to represent a certified class of up to one million women who had received silicone gel breast implants. Full Story Over 100,000 women have received settlement awards
Baycol	We represented approximately 200 Baycol patients who suffered injuries or family members of patients who died allegedly as a result of ingesting Baycol. Our clients reached confidential, favorable settlements with Bayer. Full Story Confidential settlements
Blood Factor	Lieff Cabraser served as appointed Plaintiffs’ Lead Counsel in the Blood Factor MDL litigation presided over by U.S. District Court Judge Grady. Full Story Confidential settlements
ReNu with MoistureLoc	Lieff Cabraser partner Wendy R. Fleishman serves on Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee in litigation in federal court arising out of Bausch & Lomb’s recall in 2006 of its product ReNu with MoistureLoc. Full Story Confidential settlement
Yamaha Rhino
View More Successes

Current Cases

Case	Issue
AMO Lens Solution	Plaintiffs charge that AMO Complete MoisturePlus Multi Purpose contact lens solution was ineffective. Plaintiffs were forced to undergo painful corneal transplant surgery to save their vision and some lost all or part of their vision permanently. Full Story Contaminated lens solution
Actonel	In 2010 the FDA issued a warning to patients and physicians that use of drugs like Actonel for more than 5 years may pose a heightened risk of a rare type of thigh bone (femur) fracture. Full Story Atypical femur fractures
Bone Drugs and Femur Fractures	Bisphosphonates such as Actonel, Boniva, and Fosamax, are a class of drugs that are used to slow bone loss associated with osteoporosis. New research shows long-term use of these drugs may actually increase the risk of certain fractures in the femur, the thick bone of the thigh Full Story Atypical femur fractures
Boniva	In 2010 the FDA issued a warning to patients and physicians that use of drugs like Boniva for more than 5 years may pose a heightened risk of a rare type of thigh bone (femur) fracture. Full Story Atypical femur fractures
Crib Recalls	We represent parents whose infants were injured by defective cribs and playpens. Full Story Defective design or components
DePuy Hip Implant Recall	In August 2010, DePuy Orthopedics announced the recall of its ASR XL Acetabular and ASR Hip Resurfacing systems. Lieff Cabraser is playing a leading role in federal and state court DePuy lawsuits, representing patients across America with the faulty DePuy hip implants. Full Story Defective artificial hip implants
Florida Tobacco	Lieff Cabraser and co-counsel represent individuals who have brought suit against tobacco companies in federal court in Florida, seeking recovery for injuries caused by smoking. Full Story Injuries caused by smoking
Ford Cruise Control Switch Fires	Since 1999, the Ford Motor Company has recalled over 10.4 million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars, SUVs and pickup trucks due to faulty cruise control switches, which can corrode overtime and catch fire. Full Story Defective cruise control switches
Ford Explorer Accidents	The safety of the Ford Explorer SUVs became a nationwide concern in 2000 as more than 200 deaths and 700 injuries in the United States were blamed on Ford Explorers rolling over. Full Story Rollover accidents
Fosamax	Bisphosphonates such as Fosamax are a class of drugs that are used to slow bone loss associated with osteoporosis. New research shows long-term use of these drugs may actually increase the risk of certain fractures in the femur, the thick bone of the thigh. Full Story Atypical femur fractures
Hip Replacement Problems and Recall	Major orthopedic manufacturers have announced the recall of several prosthetic hip implants, including the DePuy ASR XL Acetabular and ASR Hip Resurfacing systems, and the Zimmer Durom Cup. Full Story Defective artificial hip implants
Kia Spectra, Sportage, Rio & SUV Fires	Lieff Cabraser represents drivers and passengers of Kia cars and SUVs who were seriously injured in fires and fuel tank explosions that erupted after their Kia vehicle was damaged in an accident. Full Story Fuel tank explosions
Magnetix Child Toys	Magtastik and Magnetix Pre-School Magnetic Toys are animal, vehicle or building toys embedded with magnets, which can detach and be swallowed by a young child, causing intestinal perforations and blockages which can be fatal. Full Story Child injuries
Medtronic Heart Lead Recall	Our clients allege that Medtronic misrepresented the safety of the Sprint Fidelis heart lead and that they suffered serious, life-altering injuries. Full Story Defective medical device
Medtronic Infuse Lawsuit	The FDA approved Medtronic's Infuse bone graft for use in the lower back, but in many cases it has been used in other areas of the back and neck, casuing severe pain and uncontrolled bone growth. Full Story Improper off-label use
Mitsubishi SUV Rollover Accidents	Injured drivers and passengers have filed lawsuits against Mitsubishi for defects in its Montero, Montero Sport, Endeavor and Outlander SUVs. The lawsuits have charged that the Mitsubishi SUVs are too narrow and tall, elevating the center of gravity and increasing the risk of rolling over. Full Story Vehicle rollovers
Park-to-Reverse Accidents	Hundreds of accidents have accured when vehicles suddenly moved into reverse due to a defect known as the park-to-reverse transmission defect. Full Story Transmission defect
Paxil Birth Defects	The FDA warned that exposure to paroxetine (the generic name for Paxil) in the first trimester of pregnancy may increase the risk for congenital malformations, particularly cardiac malformations. Full Story Birth defects in infants
Power Window Dangers	Over the last couple of decades, 58 deaths and hundreds of injuries have occurred in the United States because of power windows. A study by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis estimated that 500 people annually are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries related to power windows. Full Story Dangerous auto components
Simply Thick Recall	Simply Thick Side Effects and Recall Lawsuit: Lieff Cabraser represents parents across America whose infants have suffered severe injuries allegedly due to Simply Thick. Full Story Life-threatening risk to premature infants
Smart Key Roll-Away Accidents	There is increasing concern over the accidents that have occurred when vehicles suddenly roll-away due to the defects in smart key fob technology. Full Story Key ignition defect
Toyota Accidents	Lieff Cabraser represents persons seriously injured and the families of loved ones who died in sudden unintended acceleration accidents involving Toyota vehicles. Full Story Sudden unintended acceleration
Vaginal Mesh	Lieff Cabraser represents women alleging serious side effects and injuries from synthetic vaginal mesh. Full Story High rate of serious complications
Vehicle Fires	Lieff Cabraser represents drivers and passengers seriously injured in car, SUV, and pick-up truck accidents, including persons injured by feul tank explosions. Full Story Faulty manufacturing
Yasmin, Yaz & Ocella	Lieff Cabraser represents patients injured and families of loved ones who died while taking Yaz birth control or Yasmin oral contraceptive. Full Story Dangerous side effects
Zicam	On June 17, 2009, the FDA issued a warning to consumers to stop using Zicam Cold Remedy and Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs because they can damage or destroy the sense of smell. Full Story Loss of sense of smell
Zimmer Durom Cup Failures	On July 24, 2008, Zimmer Holdings suspended sales of an artificial hip implant component due to a high failure rate. The medical device, a hip socket known as the Durom cup, was first sold in the U.S. in 2006 and has been implanted in 12,000 patients. Full Story Defective artificial hip implant
View More Current Cases

Investigations

Case	Allegation
Baby Carriage and Stroller Dangers	According to the CPSC, baby carriages and strollers may pose significant safety risks. For example, in addition to cuts and hinge injuries, a child may catch a body part upon the structure, fall, and suffer injuries as a result of a collapse or tip-over. Full Story Defective child product
Boating Accidents	Passengers or bystanders injured in boating accidents may be eligible to bring claims against the boat operator if he or she is at fault. If a safety defect lead to the injury, on behalf of our clients, Lieff Cabraser will investigate whether a lawsuit should be filed against the boat manufacturer. Full Story Negligence of boat operator
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning	Improperly operating appliances, along with faulty camping equipment and outdoor gas stoves and malfunctioning kerosene space heaters, can produce fatal CO concentrations. Lieff Cabraser represents victims of carbon monoxide poisoning. Full Story Asphyxiation
Child Seat and High Chair Dangers	According to a Consumer Product Safety Commission study, child seating poses many dangers to children. A child may fall backwards out of a high chair, a body part may get caught or cut on a high chair, restraints may fail to secure the child, or the chair may be unstable and lead to tip-overs. Full Story Personal injury
Contaminated Enfamil Newborn Formula	Lieff Cabraser is investigating reports that a Missouri infant died as a result of ingesting what may have been contaminated Enfamil newborn formula produced by Mead Johnson. Full Story Life-threatening risk to newborns
Defective Pools, Wading Pools and Tubs	While pools, wading pools and tubs can be great fun, when defective or unsafely designed they can be hazardous to pose particularly serious dangers to babies and toddlers. Full Story Personal injury
Food Poisonings	Through a lack of adequate care and safety procedures, vegetables, meats, juices and other foods can become contaminated with dangerous, sometimes lethal bacteria and other toxins, including E. coli, Botulinum and Salmonella. Full Story Food contaminations
Ford F-150 Fuel Tank Fires	Lieff Cabraser represents drivers and passengers of Ford F-150 pickup trucks who were seriously injured in a fuel tank fire. Full Story Straps holding fuel tank break
Gadolinium Medical Dyes	Exposure to gadolinium based dyes in patients with impaired kidney (or renal) functions prior to MRI or MRA scans has been linked to the development of the debilitating kidney disease Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), or sometimes referred to as Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy. Full Story Dangerous side effects
Hospital Radiation Overexposure	The over radiation of patients is often not disclosed to patients or reported to public health authorities. In many cases, the mistakes continue for months because the hospital has no system in place to catch the errors. Full Story Unnecessary radiation exposure
Jeep Grand Cherokee Fires	On August 23, 2010, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that it has opened an investigation regarding 1993-2004 model Chrysler Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs due to a potential fire hazard. The NHTSA urged that there is an increased risk of ruptures and leaks during an accident because the fuel tank on these Jeep vehicles is made of plastic, located behind the rear axle and under the bumper, and is without adequate shielding. Full Story Fuel tank explosions
Mini Stars Toy Building Sets Recall	The Mini Stars building sets can break and the resulting loose pieces can pose a choking hazard to young children, reported a July 7, 2011 Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) study. Full Story Personal Injury
Portable Child Swing Dangers	According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, baby swings may pose a danger to infants. There have been many reports of swings that collapse, break, tip over, or allow a child to fall. Full Story Personal injury
Raptiva	The FDA has warned that the prescription drug Raptiva, a medication for treatment of psoriasis manufactured by Genentech, Inc., can have serious side effects, including patients developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Full Story Dangerous side-effects
Seat Back Collapses	Rear impact collisions can cause some seat backs to collapse if the seat back has a faulty design. When seat backs collapse, occupants can be ejected, which may cause trauma to the head or neck. Full Story Injuries from vehicle defect
Topamax and Birth Defects	Lieff Cabraser is investigating alleged birth defects as a result of taking Topamax during pregnancy. Full Story Dangerous side effects
Trasylol	In May, 2008, Bayer AG withdrew Trasylol, a blood clotting drug used during heart surgery to control bleeding, from the U.S. market after a study found Trasylol significantly raised the risk of death compared to competing products. Full Story Serious injury & death
Tylenol Liver Failure and Acetaminophen	According to press reports, acetaminophen-related liver problems cause 450 deaths and 56,000 emergency-room visits a year. The accidental taking of toxic doses of acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Vicodin and other pain and fever medications, is by far the most common cause of acute liver failure in the United States. Full Story Accidental overdose and liver failure
Volkswagen Passat Fires	On January 31, 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration upgraded its safety investigation into nearly 500,000 Volkswagen Passats amid the continued reports of engine fires from ignition coil failures. Full Story Vehicle fires
View More Investigations

Contact

Please click here to contact a personal injury attorney at Lieff Cabraser, or call us toll-free at 1 800.541.7358 and ask to speak to attorney Heather A. Foster. There is no charge or obligation for our review of your case.