David Michael Andrews

Mike Andrews joined Beasley Allen Law Firm in 1998, working in the Products Liability and Personal Injury Section. The majority of his practice deals with complex product liability cases involving serious injury or death. He has handled several cases against manufacturers of aircraft, light and heavy trucks, automobiles, and agricultural and construction equipment, and he has received several seven- and eight-figure settlements and verdicts. Mike enjoys highly technical cases and has a particular passion for working on behalf of injured children along with an interest in cases involving traumatic brain injuries.

Notable Cases

Currently, Mike is working on litigation related to General Motors (GM) defective ignition switches. The switches can move from the “run” to the “accessory” or “off” position while the vehicle is in operation, resulting in a loss of power. This disables power steering, brakes, and can disable the airbags, just when a motorist needs them most. Drivers may lose control of the vehicle and crash. GM began recalling cars in February 2014, although evidence indicates the manufacturer may have known about the problem as early as 2001. Mike is handling cases that involve serious injuries and death as a result of these defective ignition switches.

On Sept. 2, 2015, Mike and partner Kendall Dunson received an $8 million verdict on behalf of a nurse who was seriously injured in a car accident involving a 2004 Volkswagen Passat. In that case, a federal court jury found that the Honeywell turbocharger in the Passat was defective and dangerous in that it allowed oil to leak through the turbocharger compressor seal. As a result, the diesel engine ingested the oil and resulted in an uncontrolled vehicle runaway. Medical expenses exceeded $650,000. The jury award included $1 million for the husband for loss of consortium.

On March 20, 2015, Mike was on the trial team that received a verdict in Mobile for a young man paralyzed in a heavy truck rollover. The jury awarded $18.8 million, $5 million of which were punitive damages. The trial team entered into a high/low agreement while the jury deliberated, resulting in a payment to the client of $14 million. There were partial settlements before trial for confidential amounts.

Mike also has a particular interest in cases involving Traumatic Brain Injury. TBI results from a blow to the head from repeated concussions as well as severe head injuries. While the physical injury related to a head trauma may be diagnosed visibly, many people do not realize they are suffering from a TBI and may have what are often called “invisible symptoms.” These may include memory loss, depression, aggression, suicidal thoughts, even body temperature and sensation issues.

Ratings and Awards

Mike is a Martindale Hubbell AV Rated attorney. In 2015, he was selected as the Beasley Allen Lawyer of the Year for the Products Liability Section.

Publicity

As an author and speaker, Mike has had the opportunity to share his experience in a variety of products liability cases. "Planes, Trains, Automobiles and Escalators" is one of the various publications Mike has authored. In it, he discussed the alarming frequency of childhood injuries caused by poorly designed and maintained escalators. Having spoken in the past on the dangers of 15-passenger vans, he was invited to be a featured speaker at the annual Alabama Trial Lawyers convention, where his topic was the practical applications of electronic discovery in product liability cases.

Background

Mike graduated cum laude from Faulkner University's Thomas Goode Jones Law School in 2001. While attending Jones, he served two terms as a member of the Law Review Board; he held a position as senator in the Student Bar Association; he was the President of the Kenneth F. Ingram Senate of Delta Theta Phi law fraternity; and he was the Chief Justice of the Student Bar Honor Court. He was recognized for Best Scholastic Achievement in Contracts and Criminal Law, and he was also the recipient of the West Publishing Corpus Juris Secundum Award for academic excellence.

Community Involvements

Mike currently serves on the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Transportation Safety Advisory Board, Board of Directors for Houston County Girls Inc. and Board of Directors for the Alabama Head Injury Foundation.

He and his wife, the former Carol Benton, were reared in Dothan, Alabama. They have three children: Shelby, David Michael II and Jack. Mike and his family attend First Baptist Church in Dothan. Also of note, Mike is a photographer whose work has received both local and national awards.