Navigating Indiana's Product Liability Law: A Special Fireside Chat With Timothy F. Devereux

Timothy F. Devereux is a Partner at Wagner Reese, LLP, an Indianapolis-based personal injury law firm. With over 30 years of legal experience, he specializes in product liability, construction site injuries, industrial accidents, and catastrophic personal injury cases. Licensed in Indiana, Illinois, Texas, and Colorado, Timothy has argued cases before the Indiana and Colorado Supreme Courts, the 7th and 10th Circuit Courts of Appeals, and the Indiana Court of Appeals. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, has held leadership roles in the Indianapolis Bar Association, including serving as Vice President, and is a nationally published author in Matthew Bender's Products Liability Practice Guide. In this episode… Product liability cases often hinge on complex technical details and legal nuances that can overwhelm juries. In states like Indiana, conservative verdicts and strict liability laws make it even harder for plaintiffs to secure fair compensation. How can trial lawyers overcome these hurdles and advocate effectively for their clients? Experienced personal injury attorney Timothy F. Devereux shares his journey from law school to handling high-stakes product liability claims across the US — from kerosene heaters to fireworks — and the legal strategies he employs in corporate negligence cases. He revisits a landmark case he and Alex Limontes worked on together, where they fought for an undocumented client's right to claim lost wages — a case that went all the way to the Indiana Supreme Court and resulted in a precedent-setting outcome. Timothy also explains how appellate law requires a more strategic, big-picture approach compared to the fast-paced, tactical nature of trial litigation. With a case study of a recent "Appeals on Wheels" where he represented a student injured by a falling window, he demystifies the legal principle of res ipsa loquitur.  In this episode of Circle City Conversations, host Alex Limontes sits down for a fireside chat with his longtime friend and fellow attorney, Timothy F. Devereux, Partner at Wagner Reese, LLP. Set in Alex's bourbon bar, Timothy discusses his journey into law, how he developed a specialization in product liability cases, and his recent "Appeals on Wheels" experience. He highlights the key differences between trial and appellate work and the impact of res ipsa loquitur in personal injury cases.