Burgess Holmes Secures Summary Judgment in Case Resulting in $70 Million Verdict Against Co-Defendants
Jasper, AL – Burgess Holmes is pleased to announce the successful dismissal on summary judgment of its client, a public utility, in a complex environmental contamination lawsuit filed in Walker County Circuit Court.
The case involved allegations arising from a significant contamination event affecting a local waterway. While the litigation proceeded to a four-week jury trial against the remaining defendants, Burgess Holmes had already secured its client’s exit from the case through a successful motion for summary judgment. The jury ultimately returned a verdict of $70 million against the co-defendants — one of the largest verdicts in Walker County history.
Attorneys Scott A. Holmes and Jacob Epperson built the defense through methodical discovery work, including the strategic development of fact witness testimony and cross-examination of plaintiff’s retained experts who were forced to admit that the utility had performed its work appropriately. The client’s personnel testified credibly that they had followed proper procedures and met all applicable standards in light of the unimaginable environmental discharge affecting their water source. Based on the evidence, the case for dismissal was clear, and the court agreed.
The result allowed the client to avoid the significant expense, disruption, and risk at trial — and to do so on the merits.
