Program Details
2026-10-14 14:30:00
Over 1,000+ webinars
Course Overview
2026-10-14 14:30:00
2h CLE Credits
Intermediate
2
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm ESTThis session opens with why allergic hypersensitivity cases are different: roughly one third of the U.S. population has an allergy, yet the general rule is that the idiosyncratic, hypersensitive, or allergic consumer generally may not recover in a products liability case. It then covers the science a litigator needs — the four classifications of hypersensitivity, sensitizers versus irritants, dose, exposure, and route, threshold dose, ADME, biomarkers, and the tests used to diagnose allergic disease — through real-world case studies including Zurbriggen v. Twin Hill and Cartwright v. Home Depot. The session closes with the causes of action and motions practice that frame these cases: strict liability, negligence, failure to warn, design and manufacturing defect, and consumer protection claims over “hypoallergenic” labels; the principal affirmative defenses; and Rule 12 practice, including Twiqbal plausibility challenges, judicial notice of FDA materials, preemption after Riegel and Monsanto v. Durnell, and the learned intermediary doctrine.
Grant W. HollingsworthDavid I. SchifrinJoseph F. Altieri 3:40 pm - 4:40 pm ESTThis session turns to causation — where allergic hypersensitivity claims tend to break down. It works through general versus specific causation; the primary methodologies of epidemiology, dose-response, and background risk; the Bradford Hill criteria; differential diagnosis; latency; and the growing use of genetic testing under Rule 35. The session then addresses Rule 702 / Daubert admissibility challenges to expert testimony in allergic hypersensitivity cases, including the 2023 amendments to Rule 702, recent gatekeeping decisions such as the Acetaminophen MDL and its reversal in Rutledge v. Walgreen, and multiple chemical sensitivity litigation. It concludes with the summary judgment standard and representative decisions, and with trial strategy: developing a persuasive defense theme, presenting complex scientific evidence to a jury, direct and cross-examination of experts, and closing argument.
Grant W. HollingsworthDavid I. SchifrinJoseph F. AltieriGrant W. Hollingsworth is a partner at Hollingsworth LLP who defends chemical and drug manufacturers in products liability and toxic tort litigation, pairing legal analysis with close work in the underlying scientific data. He develops case themes from detailed review of scientific data and company documents, regularly takes depositions of expert and fact witnesses, prepares witnesses for direct and cross-examination at trial, and handles summary judgment, trial, and appellate advocacy.
Joseph F. Altieri is a partner at Hollingsworth LLP who defends multimillion-dollar products liability cases, in which he has served as lead trial associate, argued pre-trial and trial motions, and taken numerous depositions of plaintiffs and treating physicians. His practice centers on distilling the complexities of products liability litigation into clear, persuasive themes for judges and juries. He also has extensive experience preparing and defending corporate and expert witnesses, developing trial strategy, and managing complex pre-trial litigation in high-stakes matters.
David I. Schifrin is a partner at Hollingsworth LLP who handles pharmaceutical, products liability, and toxic tort matters across the country, with a practice devoted to complex litigation. He is known for thorough factual investigation and for uniting litigation strategy with the specifics of each case. His experience includes managing complex discovery, working closely with expert witnesses, and representing clients in high-stakes product liability litigation.
Grant W. Hollingsworth is a partner at Hollingsworth LLP who defends chemical and drug manufacturers in products liability and toxic tort litigation, pairing legal analysis with close work in the underlying scientific data. He develops case themes from detailed review of scientific data and company documents, regularly takes depositions of expert and fact witnesses, prepares witnesses for direct and cross-examination at trial, and handles summary judgment, trial, and appellate advocacy.
Joseph F. Altieri is a partner at Hollingsworth LLP who defends multimillion-dollar products liability cases, in which he has served as lead trial associate, argued pre-trial and trial motions, and taken numerous depositions of plaintiffs and treating physicians. His practice centers on distilling the complexities of products liability litigation into clear, persuasive themes for judges and juries. He also has extensive experience preparing and defending corporate and expert witnesses, developing trial strategy, and managing complex pre-trial litigation in high-stakes matters.
David I. Schifrin is a partner at Hollingsworth LLP who handles pharmaceutical, products liability, and toxic tort matters across the country, with a practice devoted to complex litigation. He is known for thorough factual investigation and for uniting litigation strategy with the specifics of each case. His experience includes managing complex discovery, working closely with expert witnesses, and representing clients in high-stakes product liability litigation.
Requirements
The Alabama State Bar MCLE Commission requires attorneys to complete 12 credits, including 1 ethics, by December 31 of each year. All credits must be reported by February 15 of the following year. A maximum of 12 credits, including 1 ethics credit, may be carried over for 1 year only.
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