Ian Neale scored a clear defense victory after the jury deliberated only one hour in a premises liability case brought by a plaintiff against a grocery store chain. Ian was assisted by paralegal, Debra Wedlake. In addition, Ian’s son, Michael Neale, a second year law student at Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco, received permission from his professors to assist his father for the duration of the trial.
In the case, the plaintiff contended that he fell as a result of the grocery store’s negligence in the placement and maintenance of a rubber mat on the floor of the store. The plaintiff had crossed the mat several times during normal usage without incident; however, when the plaintiff lunged across the mat in order to throw trash into a container, he fell and suffered injury. The jury found that the grocery store could not anticipate this unusual action by the plaintiff and found for the defendant grocery store.
The jury victory comes upon the heels of several successful arbitrations handled by Ian on behalf of the grocery store in recent months. Congratulations, Ian, Debra and Michael!