(Rancho Cucamonga, CA) Following a hard-fought five-week jury trial, a Rancho Cucamonga jury returned a full defense verdict in a multi-million product liability trial. Wood Smith Henning & Berman trial partner Jade Tran together with Ashley Beagle successfully obtained a full defense verdict in favor of their client following a complex jury trial involving allegations of product liability and negligence.
The case stemmed from a workplace explosion at a supermarket chain where a mechanic was performing hot work on a truck. Sparks from a grinder ignited accumulated gas inside a non-ventilated compartment, resulting in an explosion. The plaintiff claimed the gas originated from a leaking acetylene tank and alleged the leak was caused by a defective valve. He further argued that WSHB’s client—a distributor and supplier of industrial gases—was responsible for negligently filling, inspecting, and supplying the tank.
The plaintiff pursued theories of strict product liability, negligent product liability, and negligence, while his spouse asserted a loss of consortium claim. Over the course of litigation, the plaintiff’s settlement demands fell from $6 million to $1.4 million on the eve of trial. Prior to trial, the defense secured a pivotal ruling allowing evidence of the supermarket chain’s post-incident policy changes regarding tank storage, transportation, and maintenance practices. This evidence was critical in demonstrating control of the tank at the time of the incident and the feasibility of safer alternatives.
At trial, the plaintiff relied heavily on testimony from two former supermarket technicians who claimed they had previously encountered leaking tanks with loose valves. Through aggressive cross-examination, WSHB exposed credibility issues, revealed the technicians’ improper handling of their own equipment, and established that any problems were isolated to the supermarket’s practices—not the client’s tanks.
The defense highlighted multiple defenses to plaintiff allegations, including:
- The truck driver’s negligent decision to place a known leaking tank back into a non-ventilated compartment without reporting it.
- The client’s robust safety protocols and spotless record of complaints.
- Expert testimony confirming the absence of evidence of a defect or systemic valve issue.
The defense also dismantled the plaintiff’s traumatic brain injury claim by presenting multiple treating physicians and damages experts who documented pre-existing conditions, inconsistent symptom reports, and signs of malingering.
After three days of deliberation, the jury returned a complete defense verdict, finding no defect or negligence attributable to WSHB’s client. In post-verdict discussions, jurors remarked the brain injury claim lacked credibility. WSHB trial partner Jade Tran added: “The jury saw through the distractions and focused on the real causes of this incident. This result reinforces the importance of a thorough defense strategy and underscores our client’s commitment to safety and integrity.” Tran is a member of the firm’s 11th hour trial team, an ABOTA lawyer and widely sought out for her success in trial.
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