Edward F. Downing, III heads up the Firm's Houston office, which is handling litigation involving at least a dozen high rise buildings which sustained heavy damage during Hurricane Ike in September 2008. He is also a nationally known expert in the area of products liability and his successful litigation has resulted in positive product redesigns. Specifically, Mr. Downing participated in a proposal for the redesign of all water heaters manufactured in the United States and Canada to prevent fires from flammable vapors. He consulted with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission and provided data collected in cases to assist in the decision making process to advocate a design change to prevent these burn injuries. Mr. Downing has been consulted by attorneys throughout the country for his advice in the handling of product liability matters involving flammable vapor fires. He has litigated over 50 cases and has been featured in national news stories on the issue, including ABC's Prime Time Live and New York media outlets. The firm continues to investigate instances where flammable vapors are ignited by gas fired water heaters as well as serious burn cases. Mr Downing is currently investigating a fire involving the ignition of gasoline vapors on a mini-bike that exploded causing serious burn injuries to the rider and a young child.
Mr. Downing has recovered over $50 million for individual clients in individual cases. He obtained multi-million dollar jury verdicts in personal injury actions on at least seven different occasions, including one for $15 million and another for $20 million. He has tried more than 60 cases to jury verdict and settled personal injury cases valued at more than $1 million on at least 20 separate occasions. Mr. Downing was listed as one of the top lawyers in the New Orleans area by New Orleans Magazine in its November, 2009 issue. To make their selections, the magazine relied upon the Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review ratings which are driven by lawyers and members of the judiciary who are invited to provide reviews on lawyers of whom they have personal knowledge.
He is admitted to practice law in the states of Louisiana and Texas though he has practiced law in courtrooms throughout the United States, including California, Texas, Missouri, Alabama, New York, Tennessee and Georgia. He also litigates in the area of product liability, serious personal injuries, burn injuries, business litigation, truck accidents, automobile and premises liability.
He obtained his law degree from Loyola Law School where he was a member of the law review. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of New Orleans.