Richard H. Grafton

Representative Experience: 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.;; Interests: Hunting/Hiking; Travel; U.S. History; ; Civic Involvement: Former Board Member, Regents School of Austin; Volunteer, Mobile Loaves & Fishes; Volunteer, Cornerstone Restoration;