S3 Eps 14: 640M Verdict Crane Collapse Case Ryan Pigg

In this gripping episode of the Dirty Verdict Podcast, hosts Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert dive into a landmark legal case with returning guest Ryan Pigg of the Buzbee Law Firm. With co-host Bill absent, Peter and Kyle unpack the details of a massive verdict in a crane collapse case at Texas A&M San Antonio, where a tragic accident led to the death of David Loree. Ryan, who played a pivotal role in the trial, shares an insider’s perspective on the case, from legal strategy and courtroom dynamics to the emotional weight of securing justice for the Loree family. The episode covers the complexities of the case, the defense’s missteps, and the jury’s resounding $640 million verdict, including $480 million in punitive damages. Tune in for an engaging discussion on liability, trial tactics, and the value of human life in Harris County.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00:14:39 - 00:00:56:06: Peter and Kyle kick off the episode with lighthearted banter about their absent co-host Bill, humorously noting his absence creates a "vacuum of noise" and joking about his "hydrogenated oil and fat" persona in post-production.
• 00:01:18:51 - 00:01:45:03: The hosts celebrate producer Amanda’s birthday month with a massive cake, playfully speculating about her "top secret" age and keeping the mood festive.
• 00:02:04:37 - 00:03:33:52: Ryan Pigg joins the show and discusses his role in the crane collapse case, detailing how he was brought in to assist with legal briefing and witness prep after an overwhelming number of defense motions.
• 00:06:07:15 - 00:08:24:04: Ryan provides a vivid overview of the case: a 5,000-pound, top-heavy HVAC unit collapsed due to improper rigging by TNT Crane, killing David Loree and injuring another worker.
• 00:10:31:50 - 00:12:26:34: The discussion reveals the defense’s surprising decision to lower their settlement offer just before trial, a move Ryan interprets as a misguided attempt to assert dominance, and the last-minute switch in their legal team, signaling desperation.
• 00:16:51:15 - 00:19:21:38: Ryan highlights critical evidence, including text messages from TNT managers acknowledging the unit’s instability 40 minutes before the fatal incident, underscoring their negligence in failing to halt the lift.
• 00:20:17:35 - 00:23:15:51: A turning point in the trial is discussed, where the defense’s opening claim that wind played no role was immediately contradicted by a witness, setting the stage for Tony Buzbee’s powerful courtroom moments.
• 00:23:57:07 - 00:26:04:59: Ryan explains Tony’s strategic closing arguments, framing the $160 million compensatory and $480 million punitive damages to emphasize the high value of human life and the need to punish TNT’s gross negligence.
• 00:26:28:30 - 00:28:49:56: The hosts explore the voir dire process, where Tony focused on jurors’ willingness to award significant damages, priming them for the case’s high stakes and overcoming biases against large verdicts.
• 00:29:17:30 - 00:31:30:13: Ryan critiques the defense’s inconsistent strategy of flip-flopping between blaming David Loree and his employer, Way Engineering, which confused the jury and weakened their case.
• 00:35:37:07 - 00:36:48:36: The emotional impact of the verdict is shared, with Ryan describing the relief and pride felt by the team as the jury affirmed their case and recognized the gross negligence involved.
• 00:41:41:19 - 00:44:29:21: The hosts discuss a last-ditch defense motion for sanctions over Tony’s social media posts, which was swiftly denied after Tony expertly framed it as an attempt to allege juror misconduct, reinforcing the jury’s integrity.

Where to Listen: Catch this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and other platforms. Follow the Dirty Verdict Podcast for more insightful legal discussions, and visit Ryan Pigg at ryanpigglaw.com or the Buzbee Law Firm at txattorneys.com for more on this case.