MG+M partner Jeff McLucas has successfully defended three national property and facilities clients in a long pending case involving defective premises allegations in Massachusetts Superior Court where the Plaintiff sought $1 million for resulting permanent disabilities. The extensive litigation was pending for five years and involved 20 witnesses. The jury trial was a sequel to a prior two day evidentiary hearing, which involved the testimony of experts from both sides related to property ownership and title issues.
The trial involved the application of significant changes in Massachusetts trial practice that took effect just last year. These changes allow lawyer conducted individual juror voir dire, and allow a plaintiff to argue to the jury a specific dollar amount of damages, both of which were previously prohibited in Massachusetts. The application of these changes to trial practice ultimately resulted in a lengthy, seven day trial. The jury selection process for the trial alone required two days, as the plaintiff conducted extensive juror voir dire and employed a jury consultant. At trial, the plaintiff also employed five different expert witnesses to offer testimony concerning liability and damages.
After seven days of trial, including a jury “view” of the accident scene adjacent to the Suffolk County Courthouse, where the case was tried, the jury rendered a verdict in favor of the defense.
McLucas has nearly 30 years of litigation and trial experience in state and federal courts and administrative agencies, focusing on civil litigation and employment law matters.