WILLIAMS VENKER & SANDERS NEWS

ST. LOUIS, MO – November 24, 2009 – Michael Hunter, a partner with Williams Venker & Sanders LLC in St. Louis, obtained a defense jury verdict on behalf of AmerenUE in a wrongful death suit filed in St. Francois County Circuit Court.

The plaintiff’s husband of more than 40 years fell to his death from an extension ladder in August of 2006 in rural St. Francois County. She alleged that AmerenUE caused his death by failing to remove branches around the power lines on their property after her requests of defendant to do so. The plaintiff’s last settlement demand was $4.8 million.

Arguing for AmerenUE, Michael Hunter responded that the branches did not create a hazardous condition, and that the alleged actions of AmerenUE did not cause the decedent’s death. Rather, the sole cause of the unfortunate accident was decedent’s decision to climb an unstable extension ladder he placed in a tree.

The jury returned a verdict for the defense, allocating 100% fault to the decedent.

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