Bharat Varadachari

Bharat Varadachari focuses his practice on defending insurance companies in extra-contractual litigation as well as trials involving complex business litigation matters, including:

• Bad-Faith Litigation

• Trucking/Large Commercial Vehicle Accidents
• General Insurance Defense
• Products and Premises Liability
• Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Construction Defects
• Benzene Exposure/Toxic Tort
• Evaluation of Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 Site Assessments
• Jones Act/Maritime Matters

Education

• St. Louis University School of Law, J.D., 1999
• St. Louis University School of Public Health, Masters in Health Administration, 1999
• University of Illinois, B.A. in History, with minor in Microbiology, 1994

Admissions & Affiliations

• Missouri
• Illinois
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit
• U.S. District Courts for the
  • Eastern District of Missouri 
  • Southern District of Illinois

• Defense verdict for a dairy in a Peoria County (Illinois) wrongful death case arising out of a trucking/automobile accident. Plaintiff had asked for $15 million. Defense was able to prove that truck driver was not defendant’s agent.
• Defense verdict for a motorcycle dealership limiting Plaintiff’s damages to $180,000 in a wrongful death case. Plaintiff alleged that the dealership negligently modified a motorcycle, resulting in the death of a passenger. Plaintiff asked the jury to return a verdict of between $2.5 million and $4 million. Plaintiff’s last settlement demand before trial was $2.5 million.
• Defense verdict for trucking company. Plaintiffs alleged Mr. Varadachari’s client initiated a right turn from the left lane. One plaintiff sustained a fractured skull, broken nose, broken pelvis, and broken ribs. The co-plaintiff sustained neck and back injuries.
• Defense verdict for insurance carrier in an uninsured motorist case. Mr. Varadachari defended the insurance carrier on allegations that there was a phantom vehicle/uninsured motorist that struck the co-defendant’s vehicle. Jury placed 100 percent of fault on the co-defendant.
• Defense verdict for trucking company in wrongful death case. Plaintiffs alleged that Mr. Varadachari’s client’s employee struck a pedestrian on the shoulder of the highway, killing him. Plaintiffs had requested $3.3 million from the jury.

Honors & Awards

• AV Preeminent® Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell
• Best Lawyers in America (2024)
• Nominated for Lon Hocker Award (2006)
  • Awarded to lawyers under 35 years of age who have demonstrated excellence in the art of trial advocacy in the State of Missouri
• Lead counsel in obtaining verdict rated “2013 7th Best Verdict in the State of Missouri” by Missouri Lawyers Media
• Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers (2023)
  • Rising Star (2010-2012)

News

Events & Speaking Engagements

Mr. Varadachari has given numerous presentations, both nationally and locally, on topics including bad faith litigation, defense of trucking companies, insurance defense, and general trial tactics.

Publications

• “Peace with a Purpose: Turning Terminated Drivers into Effective Witnesses,” Claims Management Magazine (September 2019). (Co-author)
• “Growing a Thick Skin: How to Insulate Your Warm-Blooded Driver Against Reptilian Attacks,” Claims Management Magazine (September 2018). (Co-author)
• “Driving While Drowsy: Fatigue of the Driver as a Basis for Punitive Damages,” Claims and Litigation Management Alliance, Litigation Management Magazine (Spring 2015).
• “Missouri, Illinois Collateral Source Rules Affect Bodily Injuries Differently,” The Insurance Journal (October 5, 2009).
• “Standard of Punitive Damages in Medical Malpractice Actions,” IADC (April 2000).