Mike Andrews

Mike Andrews joined Beasley Allen Law Firm in 1998, working in the Products Liability and Personal Injury Section.

Most of Mike’s 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 with injured children and an interest in cases involving traumatic brain injuries.

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. In his spare time, Mike enjoys photography. His work has received local and national awards.

Community Involvement

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

Licenses

• Alabama (2001)

Admissions

• U.S. District Court, Middle and Northern Districts of Alabama (2001)
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (2019)
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit (2018)

Education

• Faulkner University’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2001)
• Troy State University at Dothan (B.S. B.A., 1997)

Notable Cases

Mike was part of the trial team that obtained a $7 million jury verdict in a negligence case against Ford Motor Co. on behalf of Breanna “Bre” Bumgarner and her surviving estate members. Ms. Bumgarner suffered only minor injuries from the crash but died due to a post-crash fire caused by Ford’s defective vehicle. The jury found that Ford Motor Co.’s 2014 Ford Mustang was defectively designed and that the defective design was a proximate cause of Ms. Bumgarner’s death.

Mike was instrumental in the 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 and 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 handled cases that involved serious injuries and death as a result of these defective ignition switches.

In 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, resulting in an uncontrolled vehicle runaway. Medical expenses exceeded $650,000. The jury award included $1 million for the husband for loss of consortium.

Also in 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 punitive damages. The trial team entered into a high/low agreement while the jury deliberated, resulting in a payment of $14 million to the client. There were partial settlements before the 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 physical injury related to head trauma may be diagnosed visibly, many people do not realize they are suffering from TBI. They may have what are often called “invisible symptoms.” These may include memory loss, depression, aggression, suicidal thoughts, and even body temperature and sensation issues.