Richard H. Grafton has extensive experience in products liability, personal injury, property damage, breach of contract, and construction defect litigation. Rich has tried cases throughout the State of Texas, including in some of the more notorious venues for corporate clients. Rich has extensive experience defending alleged defects in automobiles, light trucks, school buses, tires, heavy trucks, commercial vehicles, recreational vehicles and trailers, manufactured housing, consumer products, commercial construction projects, and industrial equipment. Rich has an undergraduate engineering degree and spent six years working in the construction industry before attending law school. He later received an M.B.A and his J.D. with honors. Rich relies upon his technical background and business experience, as many cases involve complex engineering and financial issues. Rich is admitted to all federal courts in Texas. He has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, by BL Rankings, from 2007- Current. He is “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell legal directory, and is a member of Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC). When not working, Rich is an full time husband and father to three adult children, part time traveler, aspiring outdoorsman, and hunter.
Rich defends cases across the country and throughout Texas for corporate defendants. In the last five years, Rich has obtained defense verdicts in San Antonio state court involving a roof strength claim, in San Antonio federal court involving cab crashworthiness claims, in Austin, Texas state court regarding seat design claims, and in West Virginia state court in a case involving post-crash fuel fed fire allegations. He recently obtained summary judgment in Atlanta federal court on post-crash fuel fed fire case. All these cases involved either death or catastrophic injuries including quadriplegia or severe burns. He earlier obtained a defense verdict for a truck manufacturer in Houston federal court in a fire death case focused on engine design. He has tried death cases to a defense verdict for a tire manufacturer and for a large tire retailer both involving tire tread detachment allegations. He led the effort to obtain a summary judgment in a cement truck rollover death case in Oklahoma, and successfully helped to resolve a fire death case pending in Wyoming for a vehicle manufacturer on favorable terms. Rich’s motor vehicle-related experience also includes claims involving handling, stability, roof strength, ADAS systems, restraints, fire, fuel systems, warnings/instructions, metallurgical concerns, and fabrication issues. Rich has represented owners, general contractors, and subcontractors in construction disputes involving claims of defective workmanship and warranty claims, including roofing, plumbing, commercial welding, underground utilities, temperature controls, structure, and water proofing issues. He also practices before the Texas Motor Vehicle Commission regarding dealer/manufacturer franchise disputes, where he has represented both dealers and manufacturers before the Commission.
Contact the Attorneys at Germer PLLC for a consultation today. We provide services for clients in Beaumont, Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Tyler and surrounding areas.
GERMER PLLC
550 Fannin, Suite 400
Beaumont, Texas 77701
Ph: 409.654.6700
Fax: 409.835.2115
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GERMER BEAMAN & BROWN PLLC
One Barton Skyway
1501 S Mopac Expy, Suite A400
Austin, TX 78746
Ph: 512.472.0288
Fax: 512.472.0721
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GERMER PLLC
America Tower, 2929 Allen Parkway,
Suite 2900, Houston, TX 77019
Ph: 713.650.1313
Fax: 713.739.7420
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GERMER PLLC
1826 North Loop 1604 West, Suite 300
San Antonio, Texas 78248
Ph: 210.640.1650
Fax: 512.472.0721
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GERMER PLLC
102 N College Ave, Suite 709
Tyler, TX 75702
Ph: 713.650.1313
Fax: 713.739.7420
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