Commitment to Technology

In products liability actions, the discovery of documents can quickly shape a case. A plaintiff may obtain damaging internal documents from a defendant manufacturer or supplier about the design of a product, or learn about damaging past complaints that the defendant received from consumers about a product.

On the other hand, a defendant may learn of evidence about the conduct of the plaintiff such as his or her failure to use the product as reasonably expected by the manufacturer or a person’s failure to take precautions that a reasonably prudent person might take. Either of these discoveries might significantly diminish a party’s recovery.

The Products Liability Group’s emphasis on technology has consistently provided clients with a competitive advantage. The resourcefulness of technology has resulted in documents being immediately available for review and ensured that all decision-makers remained informed throughout the different phases of the litigation. Most importantly, the technology enables attorneys, experts, and clients to provide immediate input throughout the litigation without excessive costs and time delays. This commitment to technology fosters the internal communication and enables clients to be informed of the latest developments of the case.

Discovery Phase Technology

An attorney who utilizes technology and understands the technical rules of procedure better than his opponent will gain a significant advantage and maintain more control over the pace, and possibly outcome, of any given products liability case. For this reason, regardless of the type of products liability suit, the Products Liability Practice Group integrates technology from the start of the lawsuit to the end of the case to assemble and discover documents and facts that an adverse party may attempt to conceal or alter.

Some of the attorneys within the Product Liability Practice Group spearhead Armstrong Teasdale’s Technology Committee that focuses on implementing the latest discovery techniques, as well as educating clients about the preservation of documents and the consequences of destroying evidence. Technology during the discovery phase and in the courtroom provides efficient, cost effective, and technologically-savvy legal services for clients. From the day clients receive notice of the lawsuit; this knowledge management system enables the attorneys and paralegals to take advantage of past experience within the firm.

To manage and organize discovery issues such as plaintiff’s medical condition, various experts, and depositions, the Products Liability Group uses programs such as CT Summation and Case Map on a daily basis. CT Summation provides the most innovative tools and support needed to gain control over every piece of critical data related to the case. With so much disparate and fragmented information revolving around so many issues, key evidence can slip through the cracks leaving clients vulnerable. CT Summation makes managing complex and voluminous information more accessible—helping the Products Liability Practice Group work smarter and more efficiently.

Technology During A Trial

During the trial, attorneys in the Products Liability Practice Group employ technology to explain the issues to the jury by simply presenting images, facilities, and even voluminous data in a manner that enables jurors to understand the allegedly defective product, the design, and any injuries sustained. For instance, we have discovered through the use of technology, the exact location of an injury and successfully cross-examine experts on the precise cause of an injury.

Armstrong Teasdale’s Technology Subsidiary

Throughout the entire phase of the litigation, the Products Liability Practice Group works closely with Lawgical Choice, a litigation technology subsidiary of Armstrong Teasdale. Lawgical Choice assists attorneys in providing various services such as document imaging and coding, courtroom technology, video reporting, and electronic discovery. The flexibility and ingenuity of Lawgical Choice allows attorneys to maintain an adversarial advantage by avoiding delays, particularly when critical or voluminous documents are involved in a lawsuit.

• For more information on Lawgical Choice’s services, view the website at www.lawgicalchoice.com.

• For information on some of the other technological resources the Products Liability Practice Group uses, visit the following:

• www.summation.com

• www.casesoft.com/casemap/cm5trial.shtml