Product Liability

The firm has earned its national reputation as a premier product liability firm by winning jury trials. Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP lawyers have tried catastrophic injury cases to verdict in many jurisdictions across the country, involving a wide variety of products including automobiles, asbestos, chemicals, industrial equipment, firearms, lift trucks, medical devices, pharmaceuticals and power tools. Many of the world’s largest corporations retain Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP in matters related to product liability. The Circuit Court of Cook County can be a challenging forum for product liability defendants. The lawyers at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP practice in the Richard J. Daley Center every day. Because the firm has an active trial practice, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP lawyers are well respected by the local bench and bar.
 

Years of experience in product liability litigation have given Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP lawyers the knowledge to assist their clients in loss prevention and risk management. The firm’s lawyers have assisted clients with recalls, warnings, operator manuals, liability audits, safety reviews, and punitive damage exposure.

The firm has served as regional and national counsel for manufacturers of products that are involved in recurrent litigation. In this role, the firm assists management in coordinating discovery, developing a well-founded defense strategy, interacting with insurance carriers, and controlling risks that can threaten the viability of a business.

Proof of Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s success is best demonstrated by its list of jury trial verdicts and the following clients who have retained the firm’s services. 

• Abbott Laboratories
• Airbus, S.A.S.
• Allianz Insurance Company
• Altec Industries, Inc.
• Asea Brown Boveri Ltd. (“ABB”)
• BASF Aktiengesellschaft
• BL-Pegson Ltd.
• Chrysler Group LLC
• Cincinnati Incorporated
• Clark Material Handling Company
• The Clorox Company
• Crosman Corporation
• Electric Insurance Company
• Exelon Corporation
• FMC Corporation
• G&W Electric Company, Inc.
• Gamo Outdoor USA, Inc.
• General Casualty Company
• General Electric Corporation
• Genie Industries, Inc.
• GTE Corporation
• Koehring Cranes, Inc. 

• Komatsu America Corp.
• Linde Material Handling North America
• Marlin Firearms
• McKesson Corporation
• Mylan Laboratories, Inc.
• Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.
• Nissan Motor Company, Ltd.
• Raymond Corporation
• Remington Arms Company, Inc.
• Schaeff, Inc.
• Sears, Roebuck and Co.
• Smith & Nephew, Inc.
• Subaru of America, Inc.
• Taylor Machine Works, Inc.
• Terex Corporation
• Textron, Inc.
• Tokio Marine & Fire Insurance Company Ltd.
• Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc.
• Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
• Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
• Universal-Automatic Corporation
• World Kitchen, LLC

 

Attorneys

News

Kristen Cooke to Speak at the 2025 ABA Motor Vehicle Product Liability Conference (Mar. 19, 2025)
Drumke to Speak at the 2025 ABA Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation Conference (Mar. 11, 2025)
Gould and Henne to Present at 2025 AEM Product Safety & Stewardship Conference and Product Liability Seminar (Mar. 11, 2025)
Barry Co-Authors Case Law Compendium for DRI Product Liability Conference (Mar. 11, 2025)
Barry Attends 2025 DRI Young Lawyers Steering Committee Fly-In Meeting (Mar. 07, 2025)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Recognized as 2025 Illinois Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars (Jan. 23, 2025)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Recognized as Leading Lawyers and Emerging Lawyers for 2025 (Jan. 10, 2025)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Recognized in 2025 Best Law Firms Rankings (Nov. 07, 2024)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2025 Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch Lists (Aug. 15, 2024)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes Two Associates (Jul. 24, 2024)
Lothson to Present at 2024 AEM Product Safety & Stewardship Conference and Product Liability Seminar (Mar. 25, 2024)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Launches Kansas Office (Mar. 25, 2024)
Drumke to Speak at the 2024 ABA Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation Conference (Feb. 26, 2024)
Hogan to Present at 2024 DRI Trucking Law Seminar (Feb. 21, 2024)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names Three New Partners (Dec. 27, 2023)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes New Associate (Nov. 06, 2023)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Recognized in 2024 Best Law Firms Rankings (Nov. 02, 2023)
Drumke Named ABA/TIPS James K. Carroll Leadership Award Recipient (Oct. 02, 2023)
McCaskey, Barry and Burton Author Automatic Emergency Braking Article for the ABA (Sep. 25, 2023)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes Two Lateral Associates (Sep. 13, 2023)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes New Associate (Sep. 07, 2023)
McCaskey Serves as Mentor for Product Liability Advisory Council's 2023 Mock Trial Program (Sep. 05, 2023)
Barry Appointed to DRI's Young Lawyers Steering Committee (Sep. 05, 2023)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes Two Associates (Aug. 29, 2023)
Two Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Aug. 28, 2023)
McCaskey Speaks at 2023 DRI Strictly Automotive Seminar (Aug. 24, 2023)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2024 Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch Lists (Aug. 17, 2023)
Kawala Named 2023 BTI Client Service All-Star MVP (Jun. 15, 2023)
Monaco and Henne to Present at 2023 AEM Product Safety & Compliance and Product Liability Seminar (Apr. 03, 2023)
Four Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Associates Named Partner (Jan. 05, 2022)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes Lateral Associate, New Law School Graduates (Dec. 09, 2021)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes Four Lateral Associates (Nov. 09, 2021)
Best Lawyers Names Mass Tort Litigation, Environmental, Product Liability Practices to Annual List (Nov. 04, 2021)
BTI Names Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP One of Best Firms in Product Liability Litigation (Oct. 28, 2021)
Fitzgerald Named One Of Crain's Chicago Business' Notable Rising Stars in Law (Sep. 07, 2021)
Lothson Named to Law Bulletin Media's 40 Under Forty List (Sep. 03, 2021)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2022 Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch Lists (Aug. 19, 2021)
Monaco, McCaskey Speak at DRI Product Liability Conference (Aug. 16, 2021)
Clyder, Switzer Persuade Eighth Circuit to Exclude Expert Witness (Aug. 12, 2021)
Five Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Aug. 10, 2021)
Weiler Receives Law Bulletin Media's Top 50 Women in Law Honor (Jul. 06, 2021)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Obtains Defense Verdict In High-Stakes In-Person Jury Trial (May. 21, 2021)
McCaskey Re-Elected to Non-Resident Lawyer Division Board of Directors for State Bar of Wisconsin (May. 04, 2021)
Drumke Speaks on Trial Masters Panel for ABA TIPS Conference (Apr. 27, 2021)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Sponsors ACC St. Louis Litigation Seminar on Post-Pandemic Litigation (Apr. 14, 2021)
Monaco Speaks at CBA Seminar on Litigating During COVID-19 (Mar. 22, 2021)
Recent Law School Graduates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Feb. 19, 2021)
Monaco Moderates Webinar on Engineering Controls and Spread of COVID-19 (Feb. 12, 2021)
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 25 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys (Feb. 02, 2021)
Three Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named Partner (Jan. 18, 2021)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named Leading Lawyers, Emerging Lawyers for 2021 (Jan. 11, 2021)
Weiler Quoted in Law360 on Biggest Illinois Decisions of 2020 (Dec. 22, 2020)
Best Lawyers Names Mass Tort Litigation, Personal Injury, Product Liability Practices to Annual List (Nov. 05, 2020)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2021 Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch Lists (Aug. 20, 2020)
Shepley Authors Article in DRI Product Liability Newsletter (Aug. 05, 2020)
Three Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Jul. 16, 2020)
O'Toole Authors Article on Millennial Lawyers and Technological Competence in DRI Young Lawyers Newsletter (Mar. 06, 2020)
Drumke Quoted in Business Insider on Law Firm Cannabis Clients (Mar. 04, 2020)
Law360 Profiles New Lateral Partner John Duffy (Feb. 27, 2020)
Legal Malpractice and Product Liability Partner Joins Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Feb. 20, 2020)
Monaco Inducted Into Society of Trial Lawyers (Jan. 31, 2020)
Seven Associates Named Partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Jan. 29, 2020)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Supports King of Hearts Gala (Jan. 24, 2020)
McCaskey, Clyder Serve as Faculty for DRI Product Liability Conference (Jan. 13, 2020)
Recent Law School Graduates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Jan. 02, 2020)
Sheean, Keating Author Article in DRI's For The Defense Publication (Nov. 14, 2019)
Best Lawyers Names Mass Tort Litigation, Personal Injury, Product Liability Practices to Annual List (Nov. 01, 2019)
Law360 Interviews Drumke for "Cannabis Corner" Article (Oct. 28, 2019)
Clyder Named to Law Bulletin Media's "40 Under Forty" List (Sep. 25, 2019)
Seven Lateral Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Sep. 16, 2019)
Law.com's Higher Law Quotes Drumke, Highlights Upcoming ABA Cannabis Law Conference (Sep. 16, 2019)
McCaskey Serves as Program Co-Vice Chair at DRI Automotive Seminar (Sep. 03, 2019)
Seven Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2020 Best Lawyers List (Aug. 15, 2019)
Drumke Elected to ABA Board of Governors (Aug. 14, 2019)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Obtain Defense Verdict in High-Stakes Product Liability Case (Jul. 24, 2019)
Monaco Moderates Automotive Manufacturers In-House Counsel Panel (Jul. 09, 2019)
Crain's Chicago Business Names Five Attorneys to Notable Gen X Leaders in Law list (May. 31, 2019)
Drumke Presents with Trial Masters, Moderates Cannabis Law Session at ABA TIPS Conference (Apr. 18, 2019)
Kawala, O'Sullivan Named BTI Client Service All-Stars (Mar. 28, 2019)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names Six New Partners (Feb. 01, 2019)
Drumke Nominated to ABA Board of Governors (Jan. 29, 2019)
Drumke Authors ABA Article on Cannabis Legal and Business Issues (Dec. 13, 2018)
Report Names Illinois, Missouri Courts as "Judicial Hellholes" (Dec. 05, 2018)
Best Lawyers Names Mass Tort Litigation, Personal Injury, Product Liability Practices to Annual List (Nov. 01, 2018)
BTI Consulting Names Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP A Standout in Commercial Litigation (Oct. 19, 2018)
Haddox Profiled for Law Bulletin Media's "Forty Under 40" List (Sep. 20, 2018)
Law360 Profiles Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP for 2018 Illinois Regional Powerhouse Series (Sep. 12, 2018)
Five Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2019 Best Lawyers List (Aug. 15, 2018)
McCaskey Speaks on Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities for the Self-Driving Car (Jul. 18, 2018)
McCaskey Elected to Board of Governors for State Bar of Wisconsin (Jul. 03, 2018)
Seven Lateral Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Jun. 29, 2018)
Haddox Named to Law Bulletin Media's "40 Under Forty" List (Jun. 11, 2018)
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin Highlights Summary Judgment Ruling in Alleged BIPA Violation (May. 28, 2018)
Lateral Associates, Law School Graduates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Feb. 05, 2018)
Sheean Speaks at DRI Product Liability Conference (Jan. 11, 2018)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names Four New Partners (Jan. 05, 2018)
Lateral Partner, Lateral Associate Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Nov. 10, 2017)
McCaskey Named to Law Bulletin's "40 Under Forty" List (Nov. 08, 2017)
Best Lawyers Recognizes Mass Tort Litigation, Personal Injury, Product Liability Practices (Nov. 01, 2017)
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin Highlights New Indiana Office, 25th Anniversary (Oct. 30, 2017)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Opens Indiana Office (Oct. 06, 2017)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Celebrates 25th Anniversary, Continued Growth (Oct. 02, 2017)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2018 Best Lawyers List (Aug. 23, 2017)
McCaskey Moderates Panel at DRI Strictly Automotive Seminar (Aug. 16, 2017)
Above the Law Names Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP to The Loop Elite, "Best Firm to Defend Your Product Liability Lawsuit" (Jul. 28, 2017)
Monaco Moderates Judges' Panel at ACI Automotive Product Liability Litigation Conference (Jun. 19, 2017)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Grows St. Louis, Madison County Offices With Lateral Additions (Jun. 06, 2017)
Vogts Speaks at National Firearms Law Seminar (Apr. 28, 2017)
McCaskey Speaks at Kentucky Defense Counsel Spring Seminar (Mar. 27, 2017)
Monaco Moderates Regulatory Panel at ABA TIPS Motor Vehicle Conference (Mar. 21, 2017)
Clyder Named Vice Chair of DRI Hand & Power Tools SLG (Feb. 27, 2017)
Alva Speaks at ABA Young Lawyers Teleconference on Autonomous Vehicles (Feb. 06, 2017)
Clyder Speaks at DRI Product Liability Conference (Feb. 03, 2017)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names Three New Partners (Jan. 05, 2017)
Clyder Authors DRI Article on Sports Concussion Litigation (Jan. 05, 2017)
Report Names Illinois, Missouri Courts as “Judicial Hellholes” (Jan. 04, 2017)
McCaskey Co-Authors DRI For the Defense Article (Dec. 20, 2016)
Lateral Associate, Four New Attorneys Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Dec. 09, 2016)
McCaskey Named DRI Automotive Product Liability Marketing Chair (Sep. 09, 2016)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers List (Aug. 15, 2016)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes Four Lateral Attorneys (Jul. 27, 2016)
Four Lateral Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Jun. 23, 2016)
Clyder Co-Authors DRI Article on Product Advertisement Inquiries (May. 18, 2016)
Monaco Moderates Regulatory Panel at ABA TIPS Motor Vehicle Conference (Apr. 20, 2016)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names New Partners (Jan. 12, 2016)
Lateral Associates, Law School Grads Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Dec. 17, 2015)
Monaco Speaks on Carbon Nanotubes at HarrisMartin Conference (Dec. 11, 2015)
American College of Trial Lawyers Inducts Wills, 10th Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorney (Oct. 20, 2015)
Law Bulletin Photos Highlight Drumke, TIPS' Awards Reception (Aug. 24, 2015)
Monaco Named TIPS' Product Liability Committee Vice Chair (Aug. 19, 2015)
Three Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers (Aug. 17, 2015)
McCaskey Named to DRI Young Lawyers Steering Committee (Aug. 04, 2015)
Associate General Counsel, Lateral Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Jul. 30, 2015)
ABA TIPS Chair Drumke Offers "View From the Chair" (May. 18, 2015)
McCaskey Elected to State Bar of Wisconsin's Non-Resident Lawyer Division's Board of Directors for (May. 05, 2015)
ABA Introduces Section Officers Conference Chair-Elect Drumke in Publication (May. 04, 2015)
Schichtel Named to "Top 10 Women Civil Defense" Attorney List (Apr. 09, 2015)
Drumke Named Chair-Elect of ABA Section Officers Conference (Feb. 26, 2015)
McCaskey, Clyder Authors 7th Circuit Product Liability Case Law Update (Feb. 09, 2015)
McCaskey Addresses Forensic Evidence in Product Liability Cases and Trials (Feb. 09, 2015)
Bell, McCaskey Recognized in "Unique Verdicts of 2014" Publication (Jan. 29, 2015)
Best Lawyers Recognizes Personal Injury Defense, Product Liability Practices (Jan. 29, 2015)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names New Partners (Jan. 15, 2015)
Sheean, Keating Defeat Plaintiffs’ Motion for Class Certification in SkinnyGirl Margarita Case (Nov. 05, 2014)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP's Indiana Practice, New Attorneys Highlighted in Chicago Daily Law Bulletin Article (Oct. 28, 2014)
Lateral Partner, Four Lateral Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Oct. 21, 2014)
Drumke Offers "View From The Chair" in ABA Publication (Oct. 20, 2014)
Wills Inducted Into American Board of Trial Advocates (Oct. 17, 2014)
Drumke Tells TortSource About "When I Was a Young Lawyer" (Oct. 09, 2014)
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin Highlights Merger with Kernell Law Firm (Sep. 24, 2014)
Kernell Law Firm Attorneys Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, SMB Opens St. Louis and Madison County Offices (Sep. 23, 2014)
Three Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers (Aug. 21, 2014)
Drumke Elected Chair of ABA Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (Aug. 13, 2014)
Nickels Spotlighted in "Law Firm Leaders" Article (Jun. 27, 2014)
Lateral Associates, New Grad Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Jun. 04, 2014)
Bell, McCaskey Win Not Guilty Verdict in Cook County (Mar. 31, 2014)
Bell, Monaco Win Not Guilty Verdict for Automaker (Feb. 11, 2014)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names New Equity, Non-Equity Partners (Jan. 13, 2014)
IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law Names Martin Alumnus of Distinction (Dec. 10, 2013)
Wisniewski Judges ABA Student Employment Trial Advocacy Competition (Nov. 20, 2013)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes Three Associates (Nov. 18, 2013)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Named to Best Lawyers' List (Nov. 01, 2013)
Drumke Speaks at DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar (Oct. 30, 2013)
Wills, Martin Named to 2014 Best Lawyers in America List (Aug. 15, 2013)
Drumke Named Chair-Elect of ABA Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (Aug. 13, 2013)
Seven Lateral Attorneys Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Jul. 09, 2013)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Awarded Summary Judgment in Trace Benzene Case (Apr. 19, 2013)
Clyder Offers Tips on Attending Product Inspections at DRI Conference (Apr. 11, 2013)
McCaskey, Clyder Author Eighth Circuit Product Liability Case Update (Jan. 30, 2013)
Monaco Addresses Rear-End Collisions at Brain Injury Litigation Conference (Jan. 08, 2013)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes Three New Associates (Nov. 26, 2012)
Helms Receives Jury Verdict Reporter Trial Lawyer Excellence Award For Career Achievement (Nov. 08, 2012)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes Two Associates (May. 15, 2012)
Toxic Tort Team, Former Patent Examiner Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Mar. 19, 2012)
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin Profiles Wehrman, New CARA President (Feb. 17, 2012)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names New Partners (Jan. 23, 2012)
Swanson Receives Jury Verdict Reporter Trial Lawyer Excellence Award For Lifetime Achievement (Nov. 11, 2011)
Fitzpatrick Gives Purdue Students Tips for Building a Career (Feb. 04, 2011)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Awarded #1 Top Defense Verdict in 2008 by Missouri Lawyers Weekly (Mar. 06, 2009)