Skip to Main Content.

Industries

Practices

Biography

Eric is the former practice group leader of the firm’s Product, Tort, & Insurance Litigation team. His practice is focused upon the defense of catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, and business and economic loss claims.  Eric has tried 54 jury trials and has obtained 44 defense verdicts for his clients. These include cases involving quadriplegia, paraplegia, locked-in syndrome, wrongful death of minors and adults, closed-head injuries, intentional torts, constructive fraud, and breach of contract leading to insolvency.

Eric is also a registered civil mediator in the state of Indiana.

In 2013, Eric was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.  Fellowship in the College is by invitation only, and is limited to one percent of the lawyers in each state, as determined by judges and peers.

Eric's Relevant Experience

Noteworthy Trials

Some of Eric’s noteworthy trials include the following:

Estate of Brewer v. Semi-Tractor Manufacturer (defense verdict in wrongful death case asserting product liability design defect claims against prominent semi-tractor manufacturer).

Berry v. Utility Company (defense verdict in wrongful death case involving platform lift).

Simmons v. Automotive Manufacturer (defense verdict in product liability case involving paraplegia of mentally-handicapped plaintiff who allegedly sustained his injuries as a result of defective seatbelt).

Chandler v. Trucking Carrier (defense verdict in case of wrongful death of a special-needs minor killed in head-on truck/vehicle collision).

Good v. Automation Software Developer (favorable settlement during trial wherein bankruptcy trustee was seeking $60,000,000 for alleged insolvency of debtor as a result of broken contract and supposedly defective software).

Purvis v. Automobile Manufacturer (defense verdict in product liability crashworthiness case involving alleged “locked-in” syndrome).

Moore v. Automobile Manufacturer (substantial plaintiff’s verdict in wrongful death/crashworthiness case, reversed on appeal, re-tried and ultimately settled).

A number of Eric’s cases have resulted in significant appellate decisions.  These include:

Ford Motor Co. v. Rushford, 868 N.E.2d 806 (S.Ct.Ind. 2007) (duty to warn clarified).

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Wright, 774 N.E.2d 891 (S.Ct.Ind. 2002) (internal policies do not create higher standard of care).

Zawistoski v. Glick, 727 N.E.2d 790 (Ind.Ct.App. 2000) (interpretation of commercial lease).

Rogers v. Ford Motor Co., 952 F.Supp. 606 (N.D.Ind. 1997) (Daubert standard under Indiana law).

Other Experience

Tried 54 jury trials and at least 20 bench trials, and has 8 reported appellate decisions.

Served as regional coordinating and trial counsel for a major automotive supplier.

Extensive experience with Alternative Dispute Resolution in multi-district mass-tort federal litigation.

Appointed by a Fortune 500 client to a team of settlement specialists that traveled the United States attempting to resolve major claims and suits involving a high-profile recalled product.

Other Info About Eric

Education

Law School

Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, J.D., 1988

Undergraduate School

Indiana University, B.A., 1985

Bar Memberships

Eric is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

Indiana

Michigan

Recognition

Local & National Recognition

Chambers USA, Recognized Practitioner, Litigation: General Commercial, 2017-2018

American College of Trial Lawyers – Fellow, inducted 2013

The Best Lawyers in America®, 2008–2022

American Board of Trial Advocates, inducted 2004

Selected for inclusion in Indiana Super Lawyers®,  2007 – 2022

Outstanding Lawyers of America, 2003–present

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

American Bar Association

Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, invited 2002

Defense Research Institute

Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana

Civic Activities

Civic & Charitable Organizations

Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law – Indianapolis Alumni Association Board of Directors, President, 2006-2007; Vice President, 2005-2006; Treasurer, 2004-2005

Indianapolis Bar Association Distinguished Fellow, 2009 – present

Homeless Project

Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Council

Firm Committees

Eric serves or has served in the following leadership role(s) at Frost Brown Todd:

Product, Tort, & Insurance Litigation – former Practice Group Leader

Related Insights