On Aug. 22, Gordon & Rees Houston partner Laura De Santos and senior counsel Christopher Raney won a unanimous defense jury verdict in a multimillion-dollar products liability matter in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
The plaintiff alleged that Gordon & Rees's clients designed and marketed an infrared therapy device that burned the plaintiff's feet, leading to multiple surgical procedures and, ultimately, a leg amputation. At trial, Gordon & Rees argued and presented evidence that the device did not and could not cause the plaintiff's injuries and that the plaintiff's underlying medical conditions, including his uncontrolled diabetes and advanced peripheral neuropathy, were the cause of his initial injuries and resulting amputations.
Prior to trial, the plaintiff made a settlement demand in excess of $1 million and during closing argument, his counsel asked the jury to award actual and punitive damages in excess of $100 million.
After a weeklong trial, the Houston jury deliberated for less than three hours, ultimately agreeing with De Santos and Raney and returning a unanimous verdict in favor of Gordon & Rees's clients.