Slavko Jurcevic, et al. vs. Brouk-Zeigler, Inc., et al.; January, 2005 $300,000 Unanimous Verdict

This case involved a six day jury trial against the owner of a large bus - similar to a typical airport shuttle bus. The owner ran a rental company. He bought the bus, retro-fitted it for parties, and rented it out for special occasions. On the evening in question, the owner rented the bus to a bride so that she could transport her entire wedding party around St. Louis for pictures between the wedding and reception.

Mr. Slavko Jurcevic was a 44 year groomsman in the wedding party. He stood up in the center isle, poured a few glasses of champagne to the passengers, and raised his glass as he prepared to toast the new couple. The bus lurched as it went around a modest turn, and he lost his balance and fell against the bi-fold doors. At the moment of contact, the doors sprung open and deposited him on the roadway below at nearly 35 mph. He sustained mild head injuries, and underwent surgery for torn ACL in his right knee and a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder. He also lost wages as a result of his medical treatment and condition.

Sevastianos sued the rental company alleging it had negligently maintained the bus. Early inspection of the bus, photographs of its condition and superb expert testimony left little doubt that the allegations in the legal pleadings were accurate. Consequently, the jury unanimously agreed and returned a verdict awarding my client $300,000. The verdict was reduced slightly to represent Mr. Jurcevic's client's comparative fault - which the jury felt was appropriate since he was standing in the center isle of the moving bus without holding on to any handrail. However, even the net amount he received was double the rental company's offer before trial.