Iowa’s Only GR8 Professional Law Firm:
REQUEST FREE CASE EVALUATION
DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS CASES
Client v. General Motors (Iowa 2008)
Facts: The Beattie Law represented a man who was rendered a paraplegic when the seat back in his General Motors manufactured vehicle failed. Our client was on his way home from a University of Iowa football game when the car he was a passenger in was rear-ended at low speed. He was thrown backwards into the rear seat, breaking his neck, when the seat back broke.
Settlement: The Beattie Law Firm obtained a confidential seven-figure settlement for the Client.
Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance Company vs. SMA Elevator Construction, Inc., et al. (Iowa 2012)
Facts: An explosion at a Grain Elevator occurred resulting in property damage due to an overheated or hot pillow block bearing. This case was based on Negligence, Breach of Warranty, Breach of Contract against the manufacturer, designer, and installer among other parties.
Settlement: The Beattie Law Firm obtained a confidential settlement for the Client prior to trial.
Kingery vs CRC Industries, Inc., (Iowa 2011)
Facts: This case was brought against the manufacturer of an heavy duty silicon aerosol spray can for Negligence, and Breach of Warranty, and Defective design which resulted in extensive burns to his face and ¾ of his head with first degree burns and a few areas of second degree burns. Both of his arms were circumferentially with first and second degree burns from the mid humerus to his fingertips. Bilateral knees and a few areas on the abd with first and second degree burns. Total surface area covered with burns were estimated at that time to be approximately 36%
Settlement: The Beattie Law Firm obtained a confidential settlement for the Client prior to trial.
Wyndham vs. ____
Settlement: A settlement of $1,500,000 was reached after a two week trial in federal court in Omaha. An exploding railroad shock absorber spewed flaming gases over client resulting in severe burn injuries. The claim was predicated upon defective design of the shock absorber. The defendant claimed that the injured worker was himself at fault for the exploding shock absorber.
Snyder v. Kax (Iowa Federal Court 1997)
Facts: Ms. Snyder was badly burned from a defective designed and manufactured heating pad which was applied after surgery. Claim was also based on the defective warnings regarding the dangers of the product.
Settlement: A large confidential settlement was reached shortly before the start of trial.
Chambers v. Ingersoll Rand et. al. (Iowa 1994)
Facts: Mr. Chambers suffered serious injury when a defectively designed and manufactured brake failed.
Settlement: A large confidential settlement was reached.
Kelley v. CPM (Iowa 2014)
Facts: Beattie Law Firm represented a mill worker who lost three fingers while maintaining a grain roller machine manufactured by a Waterloo company. Beattie Law Firm retained experts in product design, product warnings, and agricultural products, who were critical of the design and warnings on the product. The product manufacturer retained an expert who blamed the client for misuse of the product and for sticking his fingers in a pinch point while the machine was winding down.
Verdict: The case proceeded to trial in Webster County. The jury returned a damage verdict of roughly $950,000, which was reduced slightly in post-verdict motions and some comparative fault assigned to the client.
Client v. Defendant (D. Neb. 2017)
Facts: Beattie Law Firm represented a client following an industrial setting fire that resulted in substantial property damage to the facility. Suit was brought against the defendant, who designed, manufactured, and sold the commercial dryer to the client. The theory of liability asserted was that the defendant failed to meet established industry standards concerning necessary fire safety equipment.
Settlement: Beattie Law Firm obtained a confidential seven figure settlement after a week-long trial in federal court. Settlement was reached prior to closing arguments.
AGRICULTURAL INJURIES
Daleske v. Farmland, et al. (Story County, Iowa 1996)
Facts: Daleske was working in a grain bin and fell into an unguarded auger. He lost one leg and his scrotum. Suit was filed against Farmland for failure to provide guards for said auger.
Settlement: $1,500,000.00
Schneider v. Seed Corn Co. et. al. (Iowa 1995)
Facts: Ms. Schneider lost an arm when using an unguarded auger. Claims were based on defective design and defective maintenance.
Settlement: A $900,000.00 plus settlement was reached.
GRAIN DUST EXPLOSIONS
Client v. Defendants (Minnesota 2014)
Facts: Beattie Law Firm’s clients sustained significant property damage after a failed bearing ignited a grain dust explosion at a grain handling facility in South Dakota. Suit was filed in Minnesota against various defendants.
Settlement: The case was settled for a confidential amount early in the litigation.
Client v. Defendants (Iowa 2013)
Facts: Beattie Law Firm’s client sustained significant property damage after a failed bearing ignited a grain dust explosion at a grain handling facility in rural Iowa. The case proceeded through multiple years of litigation, and well over 50 depositions were taken. Beattie Law Firm hired some of the leading experts in grain dust explosions, agricultural practices, bearings, and other areas to help establish liability against the defendants.
Settlement: The case settled for a confidential multiple seven figure amount.
Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance Company vs. SMA Elevator Construction, Inc., et al. (Iowa 2012)
Facts: An explosion at a grain elevator occurred, resulting in property damage due to an overheated or hot pillow block bearing. This case was based on negligence, breach of warranty, breach of contract against the manufacturer, designer, and installer among other parties.
Settlement: Beattie Law Firm obtained a confidential settlement for the Client prior to trial.
ANHYDROUS AMMONIA
Nissen and Ryan
Facts: Mr. Ryan lost his life and Mr. Nissen was severely and permanently injured when an anhydrous ammonia tank ruptured. The tank ruptured due to a defective weld and it had been inadequately inspected over the years. Plaintiff sued the tank manufacturers and the anhydrous ammonia manufacturers on the basis of failure to warn regarding adequately inspecting tanks.
Settlement: $9.6 million plus $2 million of settlements from settling defendants.