Successful Defense of Client Earns Stinson Attorneys Top V&S Recognition by Missouri Lawyers Media

01.10.2023

Stinson LLP attorneys Michelle Corrigan Erikson and Renee Henson have been recognized among Missouri Lawyers Media's Top Verdicts & Settlements winners of 2022 for successfully defending their client in a jury trial involving product liability claims. The successful defense is recognized as the #2 top defense verdict in Missouri over the last year by the publication.

Plaintiffs brought a lawsuit, Vernon v. Safariland, with a $34 million jury request, in St. Louis County Circuit Court on a product liability matter regarding a bullet-resistant vest, claiming negligence, failure to warn and design defects. A 12-person jury found that Safariland was not responsible for a former police officer's paralysis suffered when he was shot in the line of duty, rejecting the plaintiffs' claims.

"A case like this is obviously very difficult. The plaintiff police officer was doing his job and unfortunately suffered this tragic injury in the line of duty," Corrigan Erikson said after the conclusion of the trial. "It's terrible, but I am confident that it was not our client's fault. Our client's product did not contribute to the officer's injury, nor could it have prevented his injury given the way he was shot."

Missouri Lawyers Media tracks verdicts, settlements, judgments and arbitration awards from around the state and beyond. The Top Verdicts & Settlements program honors the largest cases the publication reported.

Corrigan Erikson and Henson will be recognized as 2022 Top Verdicts & Settlements honorees at the 2023 Missouri Lawyers Awards on Thursday, February 9.

Corrigan Erikson has 25 years of experience in the area of product liability, including claims involving consumer products, children's products, and industrial products, as well as in general business litigation. She has successfully represented manufacturers and distributors of a wide range of products in litigation involving claims of personal injuries and property damages.  She also represents many clients in federal and state regulatory matters related to consumer products and children's products.

Henson's drive for excellence and unparalleled dedication to her work are demonstrated in her zealous advocacy and commitment to client satisfaction. She works with a broad array of clients, including manufacturers, distributers, commercial liability insurers and industrial commodity merchandisers, representing them in matters relating to general business litigation, trademark and copyright infringement and products liability actions.

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