Thompson Coburn secures latest defense win for Federal Signal in product liability trial over sirens

Jan Paul Miller

David Duffy

Gordon Ankney

Thompson Coburn litigators led firm client Federal Signal Corporation (NYSE: FSS) to a defense victory against a Chicago firefighter who claimed the company’s electronic sirens had caused him to suffer high-frequency hearing loss.

This result is the latest in a series of trials brought by firefighters claiming that Federal Signal’s sirens are defective and have caused high-frequency hearing loss. The Dec. 18 verdict in the Circuit Court of Cook County absolves Federal Signal, a leading global manufacturer of public safety devices and systems, of any liability. This is the fourth straight victory for Federal Signal in cases brought by firefighters in Chicago and Philadelphia. 

Thompson Coburn partners Jan Paul Miller, David Duffy, and Gordon Ankney defended Federal Signal in the latest trial. The jury deliberated for less than three hours before reaching a unanimous decision in Federal Signal’s favor.

“The jury followed the evidence and saw that even the plaintiff's own expert witnesses determined that the Federal Signal siren is safe,” said Thompson Coburn partner Jan Paul Miller. “We are very pleased with the result and gratified that the law was followed.”

This is the third trial victory in a row for Thompson Coburn attorneys in their defense of Federal Signal. In November 2011, Federal Signal prevailed in a similar trial in Cook County, Illinois, involving the consolidated cases of eight Chicago firefighters. Thompson Coburn attorneys also won a complete defense verdict in a June 2010 trial in the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia, Penn., for the claims of 10 Philadelphia firefighters who alleged that the company’s electromechanical sirens were defective.

The firefighter plaintiff was represented by Marc Bern of Napoli Bern Ripka Shkolnik and Jordan Margolis of The Margolis Firm.

About Federal Signal
Federal Signal Corporation (NYSE: FSS) enhances the safety, security and well-being of communities and workplaces around the world. Founded in 1901, Federal Signal is a leading global designer and manufacturer of products and total solutions that serve municipal, governmental, industrial and institutional customers. Headquartered in Oak Brook, IL, with manufacturing facilities worldwide, the Company operates three groups: Safety and Security Systems, Fire Rescue, and Environmental Solutions. For more information on Federal Signal, visit: http://www.federalsignal.com.