Product Liability
Erica’s practice encompasses all types of product liability including group actions in relation to pharmaceutical and medical products.
Selected Cases
- Instructed by Kennedys in the MOM Hip Litigation on behalf of Finsbury Orthopaedics, Finsbury Instruments and Mitch/Stryker. (Also appeared for De Puy at interlocutory stage).
- Instructed for Defendant manufacturers in early UK litigation relating to TVT (vaginal mesh) – work included liaison with US clients on case to be put forward in UK courts.
- Instructed in the PIP Breast Implant Litigation on behalf of Transform Medical Group (CS) Limited and their insurers in relation to the supply of PIP breast implants manufactured in France (led by Jonathan Waite KC). Involved in all aspects of the litigation including preparation of pleadings and expert reports and representation of client at interlocutory hearings.
- XYZ v Schering Health Care Ltd [2002] EWHC 1420 – Junior counsel for Schering Healthcare Ltd and John Wyeth & Brother Ltd in the Oral Contraceptive group litigation in respect of cardiovascular disorders (including DVT) alleged to have arisen from taking 3rd generation oral contraceptives.
- Worsley v Tambrands Ltd – Junior counsel on behalf of Proctor & Gamble and Tambrands Ltd – toxic shock syndrome associated with the use of Tampax brand tampons.
- Instructed as part of the defence team acting for John Wyeth & Brother in the Benzodiazepine Litigation.
News
- Counsel from Crown Office Chambers successfully defend trial judge’s decision on appeal in cauda equina syndrome case
- Success for Erica Power and Victoria Woodbridge in Clinical Negligence claim
Qualifications
- Kennedy & Hardwicke Scholarships, Lincoln’s Inn (1990)
- Inns of Court Studentship Award (1989)
- LLM, University of Virginia
- BA (Hons), Trinity College, Cambridge University
Memberships
- Personal Injury Bar Association
- Professional Negligence Bar Association
Recommendations
“Erica has a brilliant legal mind, fierce attention to detail and is overall incredibly accomplished.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Erica has huge experience in the field of product liability. She is a formidable opponent. She has a steely determination and resolve. She is an excellent and clear advocate.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Erica has incredible attention to detail, a very smart and competent barrister, with a great command of medicine as well as the legal principles.”
Legal 500, 2024
“She’s fantastic – really sharp, smart and knows how to defeat arguments from the other side.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“Erica is absolutely superb. She has a meticulous eye and will pick up on tiny details which can sway a case.”
Legal 500, 2022
“Superb advocate and thorough in her cross-examination. Never afraid of a challenge and always very forensic in her analysis which pays dividends when a case comes to trial.”
Legal 500, 2021
“Her forensic abilities are excellent – she can be relied upon to uncover the smallest details. She assimilates information with remarkable alacrity and is able to offer both empathy and realism in conference with clients.”; “She’s extremely intelligent, detailed and brilliant with experts.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
“Erica has huge experience in the field of product liability. She is a formidable opponent. She is unfailingly courteous, she also has a steely determination and resolve. She is an excellent and clear advocate. She is also devastating on paper. And is the senior junior of choice for many insurers.”
Legal 500, 2021
“A clear and convincing advocate with a good grasp of the issues. She’s able to deploy her strategic and commercial experience to negotiate a settlement.”; “A very experienced junior.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
“Her forensic abilities are well known, she can be relied upon to uncover the smallest details, and her clear explanation of the issues is much appreciated by all. She assimilates information with remarkable alacrity and is able to offer both empathy and realism in conference with clients and experts.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
“Her cross-examination is very forensic.”
Legal 500, 2020
“A very accomplished product liability barrister, who’s very considered in her approach and also very responsive. She’s always willing to call you and talk something through, no matter how minor it is. Also has a very good, common-sense approach.”
Chambers & Partners, 2016
