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Practice Areas Catastrophic Loss & Tort Defense

Catastrophic Loss & Tort Defense

Litigation and trial counsel for defense of catastrophic injury and property damage claims.

Practice Area Introduction

When catastrophic events trigger high stakes injury, death, or property damage claims, our catastrophic loss and tort defense team moves quickly to protect your business, manage risk, and position the case for resolution or trial.

Our Expertise

Catastrophic losses demand true trial lawyers. Our team defends the full range of high exposure civil litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts in Virginia and across the country. We are known for stepping into complex matters at any stage, including shortly before trial, and taking charge when the stakes are highest.

The group has built a regional and national reputation defending catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death claims, as well as major property and business interruption losses arising from product failures, transportation accidents, industrial incidents, fires and explosions, toxic exposures, and premises conditions. We routinely represent manufacturers, distributors, trucking and bus companies, railroads, airlines and aviation-related entities, as well as commercial property owners and their insurers.

Our attorneys regularly handle cases involving traumatic brain injury, paraplegia and quadriplegia, burn injuries, drownings, construction and workplace accidents, and other life altering harm. Several members serve as monitoring and coordinating counsel in multimillion dollar casualties and complex product portfolios, including crane, boom, and lift failures and multidistrict class actions. Drawing on decades of combined trial experience, the team is comfortable trying cases to verdict when necessary and has compiled a strong record of defense outcomes and risk reducing resolutions in high visibility matters.

Our Approach

Our approach is built around rapid response and disciplined case management. When a catastrophic incident occurs, we are prepared to mobilize on short notice, coordinating on-site investigations, preserving critical physical and electronic evidence, and engaging appropriate experts in engineering, accident reconstruction, fire science, medicine, human factors, and economics.

We work closely with risk managers, insureds, and primary and excess carriers to align on objectives from the outset, including indemnity exposure, reputational concerns, and parallel regulatory or OSHA and VOSH issues.

From early case assessment through appeal, we focus on practical, business-oriented strategies that fit each client’s risk tolerance. We develop phased discovery plans, targeted motion practice, and detailed verdict and settlement analyses, so clients understand both trial risk and negotiation leverage in real time. Our lawyers are adept at taking over matters from other counsel, retooling defenses under tight deadlines, and preparing corporate witnesses and experts for trial.

As a firm structured for solutions, we emphasize responsiveness, clear communication, and thoughtful staffing to deliver high-end advocacy in a cost-effective way.

How We’re Different

Parachuting Into High Risk Cases

Members of the team are frequently asked to “parachute in” to monitor high risk exposures for excess carriers and to try cases on minimal notice in jurisdictions across the United States and in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Big Firm Trial Power, Sensible Budgets

We bring big law trial capability with the adaptability, accessibility, and budget sensitivity of a focused regional powerhouse.

Comprehensive Catastrophic and Tort Defense

Our bench strength spans catastrophic transportation, products liability, premises liability, toxic tort, and workplace accident litigation, often in matters that also implicate OSHA and VOSH enforcement.

Candor, Commitment, and Continuity

Clients receive direct partner involvement, candid assessments, and fee structures that reflect long term relationships rather than one off engagements.

Recognized Authorities on High Exposure Litigation

Our lawyers publish and speak regularly on cutting edge issues such as nuclear verdict trends, product liability developments, and effective trial advocacy in graphic injury cases, and are consistently recognized in peer reviewed rankings.

How We’re Different

Parachuting Into High Risk Cases

Members of the team are frequently asked to “parachute in” to monitor high risk exposures for excess carriers and to try cases on minimal notice in jurisdictions across the United States and in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Big Firm Trial Power, Sensible Budgets

We bring big law trial capability with the adaptability, accessibility, and budget sensitivity of a focused regional powerhouse.

Comprehensive Catastrophic and Tort Defense

Our bench strength spans catastrophic transportation, products liability, premises liability, toxic tort, and workplace accident litigation, often in matters that also implicate OSHA and VOSH enforcement.

Candor, Commitment, and Continuity

Clients receive direct partner involvement, candid assessments, and fee structures that reflect long term relationships rather than one off engagements.

Recognized Authorities on High Exposure Litigation

Our lawyers publish and speak regularly on cutting edge issues such as nuclear verdict trends, product liability developments, and effective trial advocacy in graphic injury cases, and are consistently recognized in peer reviewed rankings.

Key Takeaway

Trial tested catastrophic loss defense that mobilizes quickly, manages risk intelligently, and delivers practical, cost-effective results in the most serious injury and property damage cases.

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