Dallas-Hub Partner, John Andrew Robertson, and Associate, Steven A. Wood achieved a favorable outcome when the judge granted our global directed verdict motion as soon as the Plaintiff rested his case, a rare occurrence that significantly favored our client. This outcome demonstrates the strength of our defense and the effectiveness of our legal strategy in discrediting the Plaintiff's claims.

Overview of the Case

• QPWB represented a general contractor sued by a homeowner client following a major remodeling project.
• The Plaintiff alleged that water damage to the floors resulted from improperly exposed exterior walls during renovations.
• The defense countered that the Plaintiff had improperly installed the floors himself, using the exposed wall as an excuse.
• By successfully striking the Plaintiff's damages expert, a directed verdict was secured.

Key Difference-Makers

• Andrew Robertson, Partner
• Steven A. Wood, Associate

Claims Made Against our Client

• The Plaintiff claimed negligence, attorney fees, and breach of contract.
• Allegations included a slip on improperly installed tile causing a knee injury, and failure to complete the project on time.
• Initial demands totaled $1M at mediation, with the Plaintiff's damages expert valuing repairs at $500k.

Defensive Strategy

• The defense strategy emphasized simplicity and clarity for the jury.
• The team highlighted an 18-month history of communication between Plaintiff and Defendant through numerous emails and text messages, aiming to avoid unnecessary tangents and keep focus on our strongest evidence.

Impact on Final Outcome

• Crucially, striking the Plaintiff's damages expert before trial was pivotal.
• Despite ongoing challenges to the Plaintiff's credibility during proceedings, we effectively used text messages and photos to undermine deposition testimony.

Predicting the Future

• Securing a global directed verdict encompassing all claims—breach of contract, negligence, and attorney fees—is a notable achievement.
• This outcome underscores the versatility and proficiency of QPWB trial attorneys.

About QPWB

Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A., is the largest minority and women-owned law firm in the nation with jurisdiction in 45 states and territories in the U.S. allowing us to serve a broad spectrum of industries with over 100 areas of practice. Our lawyers provide representation for businesses and their leaders in litigation, regulatory, and corporate matters.