The Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District, recently affirmed a trial court’s entry of summary judgment in favor of Bharat Varadachari and Emily Roman’s client, a homeowner in Maries County.

Plaintiff was hired by a company that was harvesting timber on the client’s property when a tree fell on him, causing catastrophic injuries. The appellate court affirmed the lower court’s finding that logging was not an inherently dangerous activity and, therefore, the landowner did not owe a duty of care to the appellant as an independent contractor invitee.

Both Varadachari and Roman are litigation attorneys in the firm’s St. Louis office and focus on defending premises liability, personal injury, and insurance matters. Varadachari, a partner, has been named an AV Preeminent Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell and is included on the lists of Best Lawyers in America and Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyers. Roman, an associate, has been named to Best Lawyers’ list of Ones to Watch.