Favorable Verdict in Catastrophic Balcony Fall and Shooting

December 16, 2016 (Atlanta, GA) — Hawkins Parnell & Young secured a favorable verdict in the Northern District of Georgia for GFI Management Services, Inc., a manager of multifamily properties throughout the United States. David Marshall and Christian Lang represented GFI Management Services in this case involving an apartment complex managed by the company.

The case arose after the plaintiff fell from his third floor apartment balcony rendering him a paraplegic; he was subsequently shot a few months later during a home invasion in the same complex. The balcony failed to meet the building code and multiple former employees testified the railings should have been replaced. There had also been multiple break-ins and violent crimes on the property.

The one-week trial was presided over by U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross. In closing arguments, plaintiff asked the jury for $32 million in damages. After deliberating for seven hours, the jury awarded a net verdict of $4 million and found for the defendant on the shooting incident. This award was considerably less than the last demand by plaintiff’s counsel.

Rinehart v. GFI Management Services, Inc., Case No. 1:13-cv-03304-ELR (N. Ga)