We are pleased to report that our Complex Litigation Group recently secured a full defense verdict following a jury trial in Worcester District Court in a contested premises liability action involving a national retail chain. The case was tried by Attorneys Daniel W. Buckley and Matthew A. Slater of our complex litigation group.
The plaintiff alleged that, while shopping in a retail store, she tripped over a metal standing sign positioned near the checkout area and fell to the ground. She claimed the sign was improperly placed in a high-traffic area without adequate warnings, barriers, or safeguards, and that the store failed to maintain reasonably safe premises for customers.
The plaintiff claimed significant and widespread injuries, including to her neck, knees, shoulders, hands, arms, and calves. She claimed ongoing pain, functional limitations, and long-term impairment affecting her daily life. She had extensive medical and rehabilitative therapies and incurred medical expenses in excess of $17,000.00.
Despite the presentation of what was positioned as a strong liability and damages case, we successfully narrowed the issues for trial through motion practice, including securing a critical ruling precluding any argument or evidence of alleged negligent design defects. At trial, we further obtained a directed verdict in part, resulting in dismissal of the property owner entity before the case was submitted to the jury.
Following a contested jury trial, the jury returned a unanimous defense verdict in favor of our client.
This result underscores the importance of early strategic motion practice, disciplined evidentiary framing, and focused trial execution in defending high-exposure premises liability claims—even where plaintiffs allege significant injuries and present compelling narratives.
If you have any questions about this result or would like to discuss defense strategies for similar claims, please do not hesitate to reach out to Matthew A. Slater, Esq. and his team via email at: [email protected]