Product Liability

Houston regularly manages, defends, and resolves strict design, manufacturing, and use defect claims lodged against product manufacturers and product suppliers. Houston has experience defending a litany of diverse product claims successfully, including the following: axels, friction materials, automotive parts, mobile and overhead cranes, industrial pumps and valves, condensing units, ducting, residential and commercial water heaters/boilers, compressors, industrial electrical equipment, furnaces, ovens, thermal insulation, steel and cement pipe, paint, joint compound, sheetrock, roofing shingles, siding, ironing pads, textile equipment, and components in the steel pouring industry.

Toxic Exposure

Houston’s experience defending claims of toxic exposure is extensive. He defends an average of more than 200 asbestos personal injury and wrongful death claims each year while also managing and litigating mixed chemical, benzene, and industrial talcum exposure cases. In his capacity as local counsel and on national coordinating counsel teams, Houston participates in all phases of toxic exposure litigation, including the initial pleading phase, fact and expert discovery, motion practice, settlement negotiations, and trial.

Premises Liability

Houston has successfully managed and defended premises claims against coal-fired generating stations, automotive supply houses, textile manufacturing facilities, warehouses, product storage sites, hand and garden tool factories, and automotive part manufacturing facilities. Regardless of the industry, Houston understands the nuances of worksite obligations, potential equipment liabilities, and regulatory pitfalls a premises owner may encounter.

General Liability

In addition to his product liability, toxic tort, and premises defense practice, Houston has experience managing, defending, and resolving trucking and transportation cases, invitee strict liability and negligence matters, as well as employer deliberate intent claims. Houston advises on legislative proposals and regional lobbying efforts relative to subject industries.