- Beattie Law Firm recognized by LawyersandSettlements.com for the firm's representation of an Iowa family affected by a propane explosion.
Click here to read the article.
- December 19, 2008 - Wrongful Death Verdict — A Polk County judge returns $5,600,000+ verdict for widow represented by The Beattie Law Firm. The Beattie Law Firm, along with Myers, Myers, & Danks out of Pleasantville, Iowa, successfully litigated a wrongful death case on behalf of the Estate of Tom Lyon following his wrongful killing by Rodney Heemstra in Warren County in January 2003. After killing Tom Lyon, Mr. Heemstra drug Tom's body through Tom's farm and hid his body in a cistern, covering it in hay in an attempt to conceal his egregious act. Trial lasted over a week and included the testimony of numerous witnesses who testified on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Lyon. This was the second civil trial, as the first verdict of $9,000,000+ was overturned by the Supreme Court following its reversal of Mr. Heemstra's criminal conviction. The difference in damages from $10,000,000 to $5,600,000 in the second trial is due to the Constitutional limitation on punitive damages set forth the United State Supreme Court in the interim.
- August 19, 2008 - Propane Explosion Settlement — The Beattie Law Firm successfully resolved part of a claim on behalf of a Minnesota resident who was badly burnt following a propane explosion in 2005. A substantial settlement was reached against an electrician who contributed to the cause of the explosion. The case is still pending in Minnesota. The case centers around the need for propane gas detectors in homes and the failure to adequately warn, test, and inspect for propane on behalf of Propane retailers, suppliers, and appliance manufacturers.
- May 29, 2008 - Crashworthiness Settlement — The Beattie Law Firm successfully resolved a claim against a leading car manufacturer for a defective seatback that caused enhanced injuries in Client. Client, who was on his way home from a University of Iowa football game was rear-ended. Client, who was a front seat passenger in the vehicle was thrown backwards into the back seat cab when the seatback broke. Client was rendered a paraplegic due to his injuries. The claim was resolved prior to trial for a substantial confidential amount.
- April 1, 2008 - Work Place Injury Settlement — The Beattie Law Firm successfully resolved all claims on behalf of victims of a hexane gas explosion in a factory in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. Suit was filed against more than 20 defendants, with theories of liability stemming from co-employee gross negligence, to professional negligence, to product liability. The Beattie Law Firm represented the Estate of a young man who was tragically killed in the explosion as well as two other men who suffered burn injuries. The total settlements reached amounted to multiple seven figures.
- August 10, 2006 - Work Place Verdict — A Clinton County Jury returns $9,600,000 verdict for badly burnt individual and widow of deceased represented by The Beattie Law Firm. The two men suffered anhydrous ammonia burns in Clinton County, Iowa in April 2003 while filling nurse tanks with anhydrous ammonia for work. The nurse tank ruptured at the longitudinal weld, spewing an anhydrous ammonia cloud that engulfed the men. One man suffered burns that eventually led to his death 10 days later. The other man survived, but he lives with disabling burns, both internally and externally. The law in Iowa prevented the two men from suing the tank manufacturer. Suit was filed against various other defendants on theories of failure to warn the men's employer that the tanks must be properly inspected as well as breach warranty theories. Following an extensive two week trial, the jury found that the liable parties caused $9,600,000 in damages to the clients of The Beattie Law Firm. Click here to see the verdict.
