After a week-long trial in the Circuit Court of Christian County, Missouri (near Branson, Missouri) Chander Atkins and Joe Morris obtained a Defendant’s Verdict for their restaurant and lounge owner client in a premises liability/personal injury case. Plaintiff, a 64 year old woman who had been a patron of Defendant’s establishment that evening left the establishment with her friend and then fell from a retaining wall near the establishment’s parking lot. Plaintiff alleged that the parking lot was not reasonably safe due to an unguarded drop off and inadequate lighting. Plaintiff claimed facial scarring, head, back, neck, and internal injuries.
Represented by a high-powered law firm from Springfield, Missouri who focuses on representing Plaintiffs in personal injury cases, Plaintiff presented, among other evidence, expert testimony on Plaintiff’s injuries, a life care plan, and building code requirements. Chandler’s defense contested liability, including gaining admission of Plaintiff’s intoxication, and expert testimony that some of Plaintiff’s conditions and future treatment were not related to the accident.
In closing argument Plaintiff’s attorney asked the jury to return a verdict for Plaintiff in the amount of $3,000,000.00. Chandler argued that the parking lot was reasonably safe for its anticipated use, and that the accident was caused by Plaintiff’s own failure to use ordinary care. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the Defendant finding no liability on Defendant’s part and that Plaintiff did not sustain any damages.
Chandler and his team travel throughout Missouri and Southern Illinois to represent restaurant and retail owners in premises liability and dram shop cases. Chandler can be reached at catkins@robertsperryman.com or (314)-446-1257.