Vlada Tasich

Practice Areas

Product Liability

Career

Vlada defends catastrophic, high-profile, high-exposure cases against some of the country’s most formidable plaintiff firms. As co-chair of the firm’s Product Liability Practice Group, his experience encompasses all aspects of motor vehicle design and manufacture, appliances, consumer electronics, residential and industrial fires, durable medical equipment, industrial equipment, exercise equipment, perishable items and many other consumer goods. He also represents clients in matters involving pharmacy malpractice, premises liability, transportation litigation, construction accidents and class actions. Vlada’s clients have retained him to coordinate litigation nationally and to serve as regional counsel.

He is a sustaining member of the Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC), a not-for-profit association of product manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and select regulatory, litigation and appellate professionals who work to shape the common law of product liability, provide guidance on changing regulations, and strategically help corporations manage risk throughout the entire product lifecycle.

Professional Memberships

Defense Research Institute (DRI)

Pennsylvania Bar Association

Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC)

Clients

Vlada’s clients include global manufacturers in the transportation, technology, consumer products, consumer electronics, pharmaceutical and medical device, and industrial equipment industries.

Work Highlights

Represents global motor vehicle manufacturer in burgeoning area of product litigation involving Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. Handles numerous cases venued in Pennsylvania involving allegations of defects pertaining to Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB).

Secured a dismissal with prejudice on behalf of an alcoholic beverage manufacturer in a product liability case in Pennsylvania. The plaintiffs, who were involved but not responsible for a drunk driving accident, claimed that the beverage manufacturer was liable to them because the product had more alcohol than other alcoholic beverages and was improperly marketed to minors. Our team successfully argued several points, including that Pennsylvania does not recognize such a product liability cause of action because the dangers of drinking alcohol and driving are obvious, and the manufacturer has no duty to warn potential users of such dangers.

Obtained dismissal of major vehicle manufacturer by non suit after week-long product liability trial in Philadelphia County involving industrial equipment after plaintiffs failed to present evidence of negligence and causation.

Successfully defended dealer of an asphalt compactor in a two-week product liability trial in Philadelphia County. Plaintiff sustained a severe crush injury to the leg, and the jury returned a verdict against defendants dealer and manufacturer for over $900,000. On motion for judgment as a matter of law, the Court granted the client's cross-claim for indemnity against the co-defendant manufacturer on a pass through liability theory based on absence of evidence of substantial change to the product by dealer.

Defense verdict in week-long product liability trial in Philadelphia County for global electronics manufacturer involving a fire loss allegedly due to one of its microwave ovens. There was no direct evidence of the alleged defective condition, and the plaintiff proceeded on malfunction theory. Unanimous jury found the plaintiff failed to eliminate all other possible causes of the fire.

Obtained voluntary dismissal of target defendant, a major national sporting goods retailer, in hotly contested Philadelphia County product liability action. The Plaintiff allegedly sustained a catastrophic traumatic brain injury while using an exercise ball that ruptured and sought eight figure damages. Vlada and his team meticulously developed a multifaceted evidentiary record challenging the veracity of the asserted allegations which culminated in verbal threats against them, the criminal indictment of the plaintiff and ultimate abandonment of the action. Vlada subsequently prosecuted and obtained a six figure judgment on the client’s contractual indemnity claim against an overseas supplier that joined in the case.

Routinely leads dispute resolution efforts for corporate clients, achieving favorable, and often below costs of defense outcomes.

Expert in these Jurisdictions

Pennsylvania, 2002

U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 2002

U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania, 2011

U.S. District Court Middle District of Pennsylvania, 2013

Languages Spoken

English

Serbo-Croatian

Education

Awards