Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani Detroit Partner Cara Swindlehurst, with outside co-counsel and appellate attorneys, secured a complete defense victory for a utility company client following a three-week jury trial in Wayne County, Michigan.
Swindlehurst handled the case since its initial filing in 2018. The case involved a construction site accident where a concrete laborer raised a long-handled bull float vertically and made contact with a high-voltage overhead power line, resulting in a lower leg and upper arm amputation. The case went to the Michigan Supreme Court, which determined that there was a question of fact as to whether the height of the line was below the utility standard. The plaintiff sought more than $140 million in economic and non-economic damages.
The plaintiff alleged that the overhead power line was too low under the circumstances and that the general contractor had requested the line be covered or raised before the incident. The defense team maintained that the overhead lines were compliant with utility standards, and it did not breach any duty owed to the plaintiff.
The jury returned a complete defense verdict, finding that the height of the line was not too low under the circumstances.
This result highlights the firm’s litigation strength in high-stakes, multifaceted disputes, including complex matters. GRSM’s Commercial Litigation practice is nationally recognized for its trial capabilities, strategic motions practice, and efficient case management. With experienced trial lawyers across the country, the firm is well-positioned to handle challenging cases in any jurisdiction.