Baker Sterchi secured summary judgment for a regional supplier of livestock buildings in a wrongful death case filed in Harrison County Circuit Court in Missouri.
The lawsuit stemmed from a fatal fire at a hog barn following a propane leak. The plaintiff alleged negligent design and reconstruction of the barn and claimed the fire resulted from improper servicing and testing of the propane system. Our client, one of five defendants, was accused of contributing to the incident through its work on the facility.
The court granted summary judgment in favor of our client, finding that under the Missouri Acceptance Doctrine, the work had been accepted by the property owner and no exceptions applied. All claims were dismissed, and court costs were awarded to our client.