Casey Housley, Jenifer Svancara, and Ashley Garrett Obtain Unanimous Verdict in Favor of International Boat Manufacturer

Casey Housley, Jenifer Svancara and Ashley Garrett recently obtained a defense jury verdict in the Western District of Missouri. The defense team represented an international boat manufacturer sued for defective design of a recreational boat. The allegations were that the boat exploded immediately following re-fueling at a marina at Lake of the Ozarks, causing the death of one occupant and injuring two others. Plaintiffs alleged that the fuel system was defectively designed and installed. The defense argued that the explosion was due to the boat operator’s negligence because he failed to follow proper re-fueling procedures. After three hours of deliberation, the jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of the defendants and awarded no damages.