Tag Archive for: guy-gruppie

Summary Judgment Granted in Burn Injury Case

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A manufacturing company represented by our firm has secured summary judgment in a product liability case involving burn injuries, decided in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Senior Partner Guy R. Gruppie, Partner Matthew E. Voss, and Associate Partner Julie E. Esposito of Murchison & Cumming, LLP represented the defendant.

The plaintiff suffered burn injuries while using a crock pot/slow cooker and brought suit, alleging product liability. At issue was whether the celebrity endorser of the product could be considered part of the chain of distribution. After extensive briefing and oral argument, the court took the matter under submission for several months before issuing its ruling in favor of the defense.

Since the plaintiff had previously rejected a Statutory Offer to Compromise under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 998, the defendant is now entitled to recover prevailing party costs and expert witness fees. This marks the second summary judgment victory for a Murchison & Cumming client in a product liability burn injury case this year.

Five Murchison & Cumming Attorneys Recognized in the 2025 Southern California Super Lawyers List

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Murchison & Cumming, LLP is proud to announce that five of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2025 Southern California Super Lawyers list in the annual vote of peers and area judiciary conducted by Thomson Reuters. This prestigious recognition highlights their outstanding legal expertise, commitment to client advocacy, and dedication to upholding the highest standards of the legal profession.

Guy R. Gruppie, Senior Partner in the Los Angeles office, focuses on the defense of complex and high-stakes litigation. He is being recognized as a Super Lawyer for the 17th consecutive year. He serves as Co-Chair of the Emerging Risks & Specialty Tort Practice Group and is a senior member of the firm’s Product Liability, General Liability, and Hospitality Litigation practice groups. With extensive civil trial experience, Mr. Gruppie has developed a diverse client portfolio, encompassing international, national, and local businesses, entertainment/media companies, celebrities, athletes, and other high net-worth individuals involved in high-profile matters. He is considered one of California’s “go to” defense trial lawyers and sought-after speaker on torts, business litigation, and jury trial matters.

James O. Eiler, Partner in the Los Angeles office, focuses his practice on hospitality and retail and serves as Co-Chair of the Hospitality Law practice group. Through the span of 40 years, James has established himself as one of California’s most distinguished attorneys in his field. His vast legal career extends to a wide range of claims, including general negligence, premises liability, foodborne illness, Legionella and other toxic torts, civil rights, ADA compliance, franchise litigation, and more.

Jerri L. Johnson, Partner at the Los Angeles office, focuses her practice on transportation matters. She brings a distinguished 35 years of experience defending clients in civil litigation, including commercial trucking litigation, product liability, construction workplace injuries, and general tort claims such as complex automobile accidents and premises liability. Jerri is a highly sought-after speaker in the legal industry, having taught seminars on topics such as early resolution strategies, presentation of evidence at trial, and defending Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) claims for various well-respected professional organizations.

Gina E. Och, Partner in the Los Angeles office, focuses her practice on public utilities, unfair business practices and consumer rights, intellectual property, entertainment/media companies, and business litigation. Ms. Och chairs the firm’s Law & Motion and Appellate practice groups, and co-chairs the Class Action, Consumer Litigation, and Intellectual Property practice groups. She successfully defends utility companies, businesses, and corporations in wildfire, intellectual property, and consumer rights litigation.

Friedrich W. Seitz focuses his practice on domestic and international product liability, aviation, catastrophic injuries and business litigation and is a specialist in defending wildland fire cases. Mr. Seitz served as Managing Partner of the firm from 1986 to 2007. He has tried more than one hundred jury trials, most involving product liability matters, and served as arbitrator for the Los Angeles Superior Court – Special Arbitration Panel and the Attorney Settlement Panel for the Los Angeles, Van Nuys, Santa Monica, and Torrance Superior Courts.

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have been chosen by their peers and through independent research of Law & Politics. The Super Lawyers lists are published nationwide in Super Lawyers Magazines and in leading city and regional magazines and newspapers across the country. Only the top 5% of attorneys in each state or region are honored as Super Lawyers.

M&C Team Obtain Summary Judgment in Product Defect Case

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Congratulations to Senior Partner Guy R. Gruppie, Partner Matthew E. Voss, and Associate Partner Julie A. Esposito on their summary judgment victory in the Van Nuys branch of the Los Angeles Superior Court. The team successfully defended a pharmaceutical company in a case alleging product defect/failure to warn.

The lawsuit stemmed from a claim by the plaintiff, who alleged permanent burns from using a popular heat patch for pain relief. After careful legal strategy, the court granted summary judgment, concluding that the plaintiff failed to adequately establish a failure to warn as the legal cause of the injuries. The plaintiff previously rejected the defendant’s Statutory Offer to Compromise, enabling our client to recover expert expenses in addition to prevailing party costs.

This marks the second major dispositive motion victory in as many years for Mr. Gruppie and Mr. Voss on behalf of our insurance client, following a prior partial dismissal secured for an international entertainment company. Ms. Esposito played a pivotal role in shaping and implementing the early discovery strategy, which included obtaining records from the plaintiff’s primary care physician confirming the heat patches were used in a manner inconsistent with the product’s instructions.

Guy Gruppie Featured in Law360 Article on Anticipated Matthew Perry Wrongful Death Lawsuit

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Murchison & Cumming, LLP Senior Partner Guy R. Gruppie was recently quoted in a Law360 article discussing the anticipated wrongful death litigation related to the ketamine overdose death of actor Matthew Perry. As a veteran of defending hundreds of wrongful death cases for over three decades at M&C, Gruppie shared his insights on how Perry’s estate and heirs could be expected to leverage the aggressive efforts of federal prosecutors in investigating the details of the acquisition of ketamine by the late “Friends” star from medical professionals and other sources. He emphasized that plaintiff lawyers could, and would, closely monitor the criminal cases, employing any plea bargain agreements or evidence that arise, and could potentially use the medical evidence, including key toxicology findings gathered by the Los Angeles County Coroner, in upcoming civil cases. Gruppie noted that the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA) likely would not restrict the scope of damages that plaintiffs might seek, despite some of the potential civil case defendants being medical professionals.

Gruppie’s commentary highlights Murchison & Cumming’s expertise and experience of the complexities involved in high-profile wrongful death cases and underscores the firm’s reputation as a defense leader within the legal community.

Click here to read the full article

Four Murchison & Cumming Attorneys Named 2024 Southern California Super Lawyers

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Senior Partners Guy R. Gruppie and Friedrich W. Seitz, and Partners James O. Eiler and Gina E. Och have been recognized as 2024 Southern California Super Lawyer honorees in the annual vote of peers and area judiciary conducted by Thomson Reuters.

Mr. Gruppie is one of California’s leading defense attorneys, focusing on complex, major injury and high-profile litigation. He is being recognized as a Super Lawyer for the 16th consecutive year. With extensive civil trial experience, Mr. Gruppie has developed a diverse portfolio of clients which includes large and small international, national and local businesses, entertainment/media companies, celebrities, athletes and other high net-worth individuals involved in high-profile matters. He is a popular author and sought-after speaker on torts, business litigation and jury trial matters.

Mr. Seitz focuses his practice on domestic and international product liability, aviation, catastrophic injuries and business litigation and is a specialist in defending wildland fire cases representing public utility companies. He served as Managing Partner of the firm from 1986 to 2007 and is being recognized by Super Lawyers 20th consecutive year. Mr. Seitz has tried more than one hundred jury trials, most involving product liability matters. He is “AV” rated by Martindale Hubbell and has been recognized as a “Southern California Super Lawyer.”

Mr. Eiler has become one of California’s most recognized hospitality law attorneys focusing on a variety of hospitality matters including general negligence, premises liability, food borne illness and foreign objects, Legionella and other toxic torts, civil rights, ADA, franchise litigation and many more. He is being recognized as a Super Lawyer for the third consecutive time. As an active participant in several key trade industry associations, he also helps shape regulations and legislation affecting the hospitality industries on an ongoing basis. Ms. Och focuses her practice on law & motion and appeals, as well as public utilities, class action, unfair business practices and consumer rights, intellectual property, entertainment/media companies, and business litigation. She is being recognized as a Super Lawyer for the second consecutive time. She has achieved successful results for a wide range of clients, in both state and federal courts, including the defense of utility companies in wildland fire litigation, businesses in copyright and trademark litigation, and companies in unfair business consumer rights and class action litigation.

Five M&C Attorneys Named 2023 Southern California Super Lawyers

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Senior Partners Friedrich W. Seitz, Guy R. Gruppie, Jean A. Dalmore, and Partners James O. Eiler and Gina Och have been recognized as 2023 Southern California Super Lawyer honorees in the annual vote of peers and area judiciary conducted by Thomson Reuters.

Mr. Seitz specializes in domestic and international product liability, aviation, catastrophic injuries and business litigation and is a specialist in defending Wildland Fire cases representing public utility companies. He served as Managing Partner of the firm from 1986 to 2007 and is being recognized by Super Lawyers 19th consecutive year.

Mr. Gruppie is one of California’s leading defense attorneys, specializing in complex, major injury and high-profile litigation. He is being recognized as a Super Lawyer for the 15th consecutive year. Mr. Gruppie’s diverse portfolio of clients include several of the world’s leading casualty insurance carriers, large and small businesses including entertainment and media companies, celebrities, athletes and other high net-worth individuals. He is a popular speaker and author on tort, trial and civil justice issues.

Ms. Dalmore specializes in the area of construction litigation, including breach of contract and construction defect, representing developers, general contractors, sub-contractors, design professionals, manufacturers and material suppliers in all fields of construction. She also practices in the area of professional liability representing brokers and agents in the areas of real estate, insurance, and business, as well as accountants and other professionals in malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty actions. She is being recognized as a Super Lawyer for the fourth time.

Mr. Eiler has become one of California’s most recognized hospitality law attorneys specializing in a variety of hospitality matters including general negligence, premises liability, food borne illness and foreign objects, Legionella and other toxic torts, civil rights, ADA, franchise litigation and many more. He is being recognized as a Super Lawyer for the second consecutive time.

Ms. Och focuses her practice on law & motion and appeals, as well as public utilities, class action, unfair business practices and consumer rights, intellectual property, entertainment/media companies, and business litigation. This is her first time being recognized as a Super Lawyer.

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have been chosen by their peers and through independent research of Law & Politics. The Super Lawyers lists are published nationwide in Super Lawyers Magazines and in leading city and regional magazines and newspapers across the country. Only the top 5% of attorneys in each state or region are honored as Super Lawyers.

Three M&C Senior Partners Named 2021 Southern California Super Lawyers

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Jean A. Dalmore, Murchison & Cumming’s newest Senior Partner, joins colleagues Friedrich W. Seitz and Guy R. Gruppie as 2021 Southern California Super Lawyer honorees in the annual vote of peers and area judiciary conducted by Thomson Reuters.

Ms. Dalmore is the co-chair of the Construction Law practice group. She focuses her practice in the area of construction litigation, including breach of contract, construction defect and construction site accident, representing developers, general contractors, sub-contractors, design professionals, manufacturers and material suppliers in all fields of construction, and in the area of professional liability, representing insurance and real estate agents and brokers, accountants, design professionals, and other professionals in malpractice actions. Ms. Dalmore is well experienced in all aspects of litigation, including discovery, mediation, arbitration, and trial having spent her entire career as a trial lawyer at Murchison & Cumming. She is “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Mr. Seitz chairs the Wildland Fire Litigation and the International Law practice groups and co-chairs the Product Liability, and Business Litigation practice groups. He served as Managing Partner of the firm from 1986 to 2007 and has been recognized by Super Lawyers 17 times. He focuses his practice on domestic and international product liability, aviation, catastrophic injuries and business litigation and is a specialist in defending Wildland Fire cases representing public utility companies. Achieving the rank of Advocate with the American Board of Trial Attorneys (ABOTA), Mr. Seitz has tried more than 100 jury trials , most involving product liability matters. He holds the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating.

Mr. Gruppie, one of California’s go-to defense trial attorneys, has now been recognized as a Super Lawyer for the 13th consecutive year. He specializes in the defense of complex, high-stakes and high-profile litigation. His clients include national and major regional and local businesses, entertainment/media companies, celebrities, professional athletes and other high net-worth individuals. Mr. Gruppie is a sought-after speaker/lecturer on trial and tort trends often by national and local media for comments, expertise and quotes regarding various civil litigation issues including in the past year, insurance, immunity, and tort reform issues pertaining the Covid-19 Crisis and related legislation. Mr. Gruppie is “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell, has taught Civil Procedure at Southwestern Law School, and currently serves as a mediator with the Los Angeles Superior Court.

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have been chosen by their peers and through independent research of Law & Politics. The Super Lawyers lists are published nationwide in Super Lawyers Magazines and in leading city and regional magazines and newspapers across the country. Only the top 5% of attorneys in each state or region are honored as Super Lawyers.

Murchison & Cumming Senior Partner Guy R. Gruppie Featured in Elevator World Magazine

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Elevator World

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Guy R. Gruppie was the subject of an interview/profile for the September issue of Elevator World, an edition focusing on pandemic-related issues affecting tort litigation in general and elevator and escalator accident cases in particular. The profile and related Q&A addressed vertical transportation claims and lawsuits in the COVID-19 era and related topics such as case trends, court backlog and staffing issues, statute of limitation extensions and COVID-19 immunity/claim limitations being debated in Congress and legislative bodies in several states.

Gruppie has handled more than 500 escalator/passenger elevator/freight elevator cases in his career on behalf of product manufacturers, service and maintenance companies, property owners and public entities. He has authored numerous legal papers addressing issues arising in such cases, including the widely cited: “Uncommon Perception: The Common Carrier Duty Does Not Rule Out Defense Verdicts in Elevator and Escalator Accident Trials,” first published in the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel Law Review in conjunction with Marquette University Law School.

Elevator World is considered the leading publication in the world of vertical transportation news and information, commerce, product development and innovation, and claims/litigation. It is the most credible source of industry news because its reporters, editors, readers and advertisers encompass all parts of the “elevator world.”

Gruppie is a Senior Partner who is resident in the Los Angeles and San Francisco offices of Murchison & Cumming, LLP, serves as Chair of the Firm’s Emerging Risks and Specialty Tort Practice Group, and is a senior member of the Firm’s Product Liability and General Liability practice groups. His first elevator matter was in 1993 in a case where several college students were allegedly injured in the free fall of an apartment elevator that suffered a sudden hydraulic failure.

Murchison & Cumming’s Seitz and Gruppie Honored as Southern California Super Lawyers

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Murchison & Cumming, LLP is pleased to announce two attorneys from the firm’s Los Angeles office have been recognized in the 2020 Southern California Super Lawyers Edition. With a combined 75 years of legal experience, this year’s honorees are Senior Partners, and longtime honorees, Friedrich W. Seitz and Guy R. Gruppie.

Mr. Seitz chairs the Wildland Fire Litigation and the International Law practice groups and co-chairs the Product Liability, and Business Litigation practice groups. Mr. Seitz served as Managing Partner of the firm from 1986 to 2007 and has been recognized by Super Lawyers 16 times. He focuses his practice on domestic and international product liability, aviation, catastrophic injuries and business litigation and is a specialist in defending wildland fire cases. Mr. Seitz has tried more than 100 jury trials, most involving product liability matters. He is “AV” rated by Martindale Hubbell. Mr. Seitz served as arbitrator for the Los Angeles Superior Court – Special Arbitration Panel, and the Attorney Settlement Panel for the Los Angeles, Van Nuys, Santa Monica, and Torrance Superior Courts.

Mr. Gruppie, one of California’s go-to defense trial attorneys, has now been recognized as a Super Lawyer for the 12th consecutive year. He specializes in the defense of complex, high-stakes and high-profile litigation. His clients include national and major regional and local businesses, entertainment/media companies, celebrities, professional athletes and other high net-worth individuals. Mr. Gruppie is a sought-after speaker/lecturer on trial and tort trends. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (Associate Rank), Los Angeles Chapter, the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC), and the Claims Litigation Management Alliance (CLM). Mr. Gruppie is “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell, has taught Civil Procedure at Southwestern Law School, and currently serves as a mediator with the Los Angeles Superior Court.

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have been chosen by their peers and through independent research of Law & Politics. The Super Lawyers lists are published nationwide in Super Lawyers Magazines and in leading city and regional magazines and newspapers across the country. Only the top 5% of attorneys in each state or region are honored as Super Lawyers.

M&C Partners Gruppie and Trinh to Participate in Nation’s Largest Trial Lawyer Conference

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Senior Partner Guy R. Gruppie and Partner Mary C. Trinh are scheduled to participate at the 37th Annual Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles meeting at the Wynn Las Vegas August 30-September 1. The event is by far the nation’s largest annual trial lawyer/litigation conference.

Mr. Gruppie will present the defense perspective in “Medicine for Lawyers,” a Continuing Legal Education panel which will focus generally on personal injury litigation involving spine and joint trauma and neuroradiology issues. Topics are expected to include reasonableness and necessity of modalities of medical care, including surgery versus conservative treatment options, costs of the same, expert witness strategy, demonstrative medical evidence options, and general and special damages themes. Ms. Trinh will participate in forums that include litigating soft-tissue injury cases and developments in e-discovery.