Brian J. Donnelly to Present at the CLM Annual Conference in San Francisco, California

Brian J. Donnelly, a partner in the Firm’s General, Tort and Insurance Litigation department, will be presenting at the 2024 CLM Annual Conference. The session is titled "Making Roomba for Robots: Liability for Accidents Involving Autonomous Delivery Systems" and will take place on April 4th, 2024, at 2:15 PM. The Annual Conference will be held in San Francisco, California from April 2nd to April 3rd.

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Session Description: 

You can’t sue a robot…can you? Autonomous delivery systems may be the future’s answer to delivery drivers. Food delivery companies have implemented sidewalk robots, and companies that develop flying drones and driverless cars are modeling to cater to food delivery as well. This reduces personnel costs drastically, but there is always the risk that these autonomous systems can cause damage to property, pedestrians, or cars. When this happens, who does one exchange information with? The many complex issues that arise with these technologies will be explored in depth, alongside an analysis of who is liable when such problems arise. Further, since autonomous delivery systems are capable of harm, the issue of retaliation against such a system in self-defense arises. Basic tort law can account for some of this retaliation, as a reasonable person could perceive a drone coming at them as a threat. But, how will this change when drones and robots are a part of everyday life, when it could no longer be reasonable to see a robot approaching your home as dangerous? The robot revolution is coming, will you be prepared?

About Cullen and Dykman’s General Liability, Tort and Insurance Defense Department

Our litigation attorneys represent individuals and corporations in general liability, tort and insurance defense matters ranging from personal injury and insurance coverage disputes to large-scale commercial litigation. Clients frequently engage our litigators to act as trial counsel in high-exposure cases, and we have extensive experience in appellate litigation involving liability and insurance matters.

About Cullen and Dykman

Cullen and Dykman (www.cullenllp.com) has been providing legal services to institutional clients since 1850. The firm represents a wide range of clients, including banks and other financial institutions, energy, telecommunications and water companies, construction companies, insurers, educational institutions, religious organizations, and not-for-profits. With over 190 attorneys in seven offices located throughout the Northeast and Mid Atlantic regions, Cullen and Dykman is strategically positioned to meet the changing needs and demands of our clients.