HarrisMartin's Webinar Series: Science in Mass Torts - What You Need to Know

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Description

This event is chaired by Patrick Luff of Luff Law Firm, Annesley DeGaris of DeGaris Law, LLC, and Russ Abney of Watts Guerra LLP.

This event is CLE-accredited. For detailed information on your state's credit hours, click here.

Agenda:

1:00 p.m. - 1:05 p.m.

Introduction

Chair Patrick Luff, Luff Law Firm, PLLC, Dallas

1:05 p.m. - 1:25 p.m.

Toxicology

• Toxicological Studies, Safety Assessment, and Risk Assessment
• Exposure Science
C. Calvin Warriner III, Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, West Palm Beach, FL
Annesley DeGaris, DeGaris Law, LLC, Birmingham, AL

1:25 p.m. - 1:40 p.m.

General Causation

• Epidemiology – Understanding the Studies
• Validating the Studies – Bradford Hill Criteria
Patrick Luff, Luff Law Firm, PLLC, Dallas
Ellen Presby, Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough, Dallas

1:40 p.m. - 1:55 p.m.

Specific Causation

Fidelma L. Fitzpatrick, Motley Rice, Providence, RI

1:55 p.m. - 2:10 p.m.

Using the Science – Experts and Daubert

Russ Abney, Watts Guerra LLP, San Antonio

2:10 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Practical Lessons Discussion

Moderator: Patrick Luff, Luff Law Firm, PLLC, Dallas

Annesley DeGaris, DeGaris Law, LLC, Birmingham, AL
Russ Abney, Watts Guerra LLP, San Antonio
Fidelma L. Fitzpatrick, Motley Rice, Providence, RI
John Romano, Romano Law Group, West Palm Beach, FL
C. Calvin Warriner III, Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, West Palm Beach, FL
Ellen Presby, Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough, Dallas

Contributors

Patrick Luff, Luff Law Firm, PLLC, Dallas

Patrick Luff is a nationally recognized litigator who has obtained a number of significant victories for his clients, including a $15.4 million wrongful death judgment and a precedent-setting federal appeal. Patrick has served as Co-Liaison (Lead) Counsel in Texas MDL No. 2021-41903, In re: Winter Storm Uri Litigation, and on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in MDL No. 2974, In re: Paragard IUD Products Liability Litigation. In March 2021, Patrick also filed the initial motion to transfer in MDL No. 3004, In re: Paraquat Products Liability Litigation, and continues to play a leading role in the paraquat litigation nationally.
Annesley DeGaris, The Wright Lawyers, Birmingham, AL

Annesley H. DeGaris is recognized nationally for mass tort litigation involving defective medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Mr. DeGaris also has an extensive practice in individual personal injury and wrongful death cases in a variety of circumstances, including motor vehicle collisions, tractor trailer collisions, and toxic exposures. He has litigated cases against major trucking companies, insurance companies, chemical manufacturers responsible for toxic spills, aircraft manufacturers, and major pharmaceutical companies.
Russ Abney, Watts Guerra LLP, San Antonio

Russ began working with medical and scientific experts to help people injured by dangerous drugs and defective medical devices. His work has benefited injury victims in a variety of high-profile multidistrict litigation (MDL) cases. Russ is licensed to practice law in Alabama, Georgia, New York, and Texas. He is a member of the American Association for Justice, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, and Texas Trial Lawyers Association. Russ also serves on the board of directors of Making the Grade, an organization that helps young people in Ethiopia obtain excellent educations.
Fidelma L. Fitzpatrick, Motley Rice, Providence, RI

Fidelma Fitzpatrick represents people and communities in toxic tort and environmental matters, including property damage and personal injury claims. Her experience with complex civil litigation has led her to represent other victims of corporate malfeasance, including hundreds of women allegedly injured by medical devices such as Essure® and pelvic mesh/sling products.
John Romano, Romano Law Group, West Palm Beach, FL

A partner at Romano Law Group, John F. Romano is a civil trial advocate board-certified by the Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy, as well as the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys. John is also a member of the Taos Group, an association of prominent trial attorneys from around the country who work together to better serve the needs of their clients.
C. Calvin Warriner III, Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, West Palm Beach, FL

CALVIN WARRINER III (Cal) has been with the firm for 32 years and has been a Shareholder since 1991. He joined the firm as a seasoned trial attorney and is Board Certified as a Civil Trial Lawyer by both The Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy, as well as being a Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys. He has been nominated by his peers and received the distinction of being included in the prestigious publication The Best Lawyers in America as well as Best Lawyers in Florida. He has been selected numerous times by the publication Super Lawyers as well as The South Florida Legal Guide as a top litigator.
Ellen Presby, Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough, Dallas

Ellen Presby has more than three decades of litigation experience as a lead attorney for personal injury, products liability, and pharmaceutical cases. She earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of California Davis and her Juris Doctorate at the Southern Methodist University School of Law. Ellen is licensed in Texas, Arizona, and Pennsylvania, but represents clients throughout the country in both state and federal courts.