Defense Verdict in Gulfport Federal Court Slip and Fall Trial Involving Stennis Space Center
On Monday a federal court jury in Gulfport rendered a defense verdict in a slip and fall case against the U.S. Government and several other defendants. Here is the Plaintiff's second amended complaint.
The plaintiff (Robert Weisler) worked as a security officer at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Hancock County. In 2008, Weisler suffered injuries in a fall after exiting the Government Printing Office where he worked. Plaintiff alleged that the fall was due to a slippery concrete sidewalk that was defectively designed and maintained.
The trial began on February 7 before Judge Sul Ozerden. Judge Ozerden granted the government's motion for directed verdict during the trial. The jury rendered a defense verdict for the other defendants at the end of a six day trial. Here is the verdict form.
Chad Stelly of New Orleans represented the plaintiff.
The docket lists a lot of defense lawyers in the case. Crockett Lindsey of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Gulfport represented the government. I believe that Robert Wilkinson of Dogan and Wilkinson in Pascagoula, Bill Whitfield with Copeland and Cook in Gulfport and other lawyers were involved in the trial on the defense side.
The southern district in Gulfport is a tough venue for Plaintiffs.
Slip and fall cases have historically not been a good economic investment for plaintiff lawyers - - especially with a 6-day trial! Is that a record for a slip and fall trial?
Old Lawyer, unfortunately no, that is not a record.