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Overview
The product safety and consumer law team has been involved in historic cases including Thalidomide and Contaminated Blood Transfusion litigation; and also cutting edge legal battles that have made new law.
They have particular expertise in large scale group litigation and high profile inquests. They represent individuals injured, killed or affected by products including electrical appliances, vehicles, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food products, toys, financial services, and in clinical trials.
In 2019 the team acted for the family of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse who died following an allergic reaction. This high-profile case led to a change in the law on ingredient labelling which is now known as “Natasha’s Law”.
They have a specialist practice in fire and explosion cases including acting for the consumer group Which? in a public law action linked to the government’s approach to Whirlpool tumble dryers and a group action brought by the residents affected by the Shepherd’s Bush Tower Block Fire
The team are currently acting as the joint-lead lawyers, in the emissions defeat device group litigation against Volkswagen in the UK believed to be the largest group action in this jurisdiction and are also taking action against Mercedes.
The team is also currently working with families affected by Foetal Valproate Syndrome in relation to the ongoing Independent Medicines and Medical Device Safety Review, chaired by Baroness Cumberlege.
Members
Michalowska Howells, Bozena (Head of Department)