Henry Gimenez and Mary Parrish McCracken Win Defense Verdict for U-Haul International

April 25, 2024

On April 16, 2024, Lightfoot secured a victory in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, successfully defending U-Haul International in a $1 million personal injury case. Partner Henry Gimenez and associate Mary Parrish McCracken led Lightfoot’s trial team for the leading national rental company, which faced several claims that its failure to maintain and repair the brake system of a rental truck led to a serious crash that injured the plaintiffs in the case. 

At trial, Gimenez and McCracken presented expert testimony and other evidence, demonstrating U-Haul’s comprehensive maintenance and inspection procedures for the rental truck at issue in the case. The Lightfoot team argued the crash resulted from the rental vehicle driver's inattention, not the company’s negligence. After only 90 minutes of deliberation, the jury sided with the firm’s client on all claims. The plaintiffs then agreed to withdraw their motion for a new trial, concluding the case.

Gimenez represents Fortune 500 manufacturers, service providers and other defendants in product liability and commercial litigation. He has represented these clients in various settings, including state and federal court trials across the southeastern United States. 

McCracken represents global, well-known companies in high-stakes personal injury and product liability cases. She currently serves on the Lightfoot team settling multiple claims against a multinational pesticide company for a fraction of the plaintiffs’ original demands.