The jury in a recent premises liability trial in Miller County, Missouri, returned a favorable verdict for the defendant represented by Bharat Varadachari and Emilee Bramstedt.

Plaintiff had rented a house and the use of one of several outbuildings on a property owned by the defendant. The plaintiff walked into a third, unmaintained building—one the landlord said she was never granted access to—and broke her leg when it went through the floor. Despite a lease outlining which building the plaintiff had permission to use, the plaintiff argued that the language in the lease (and her follow up discussions with the landlord) were vague and open to multiple interpretations.

Despite the plaintiff’s request for $2 million, the jury awarded her only $67,000 and assessed 70% of the fault to the plaintiff, resulting in a net verdict of $19,200. A six-figure settlement offer was made on behalf of the defendant prior to trial.

Varadachari, a partner in the firm’s St. Louis office, defends personal injury, insurance, and premises liability matters. He is rated an AV Preeminent Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell and has been named to the lists of Best Lawyers in America and Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyers. His professional associations include selection for membership in the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates.

Bramstedt, an associate in the firm’s Edwardsville office, has defended a wide range of clients (from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and individuals) and handled a wide range of legal issues, including personal injury, wrongful death, and complex, multi-party class actions.