Boone County, MO – In a significant personal injury lawsuit, the Missouri State Boone County Circuit Court awarded $2.5 million in damages to plaintiff Andrew Joseph Jackson following a jury verdict on February 21, 2024. The case, titled Andrew J. Jackson v. Dana A. Hartgrove, Five Star Foods LLC, and HINZJJ LLC, arose from a vehicular incident and was filed on January 25, 2022, under case number 22BA-CV00268.
Case Background
Andrew Joseph Jackson filed suit after sustaining serious injuries in a motor vehicle accident allegedly caused by the negligence of Dana A. Hartgrove, an employee associated with Jimmy John’s franchises operated by Five Star Foods LLC and HINZJJ LLC. The case focused on Hartgrove’s conduct while acting within the scope of employment and the corporate responsibility of the franchise entities.
Legal Representation and Expert Testimony
Jackson was represented by attorneys Zane Thomas Cagle and Clifford Wells. To support his claims of injury, Jackson relied on testimony from Dr. David Raskas of the Orthopedic and Spine Institute of St. Louis. The defendants—Hartgrove, Five Star Foods LLC, and HINZJJ LLC—were represented by attorneys John Philip Rahoy, John Gerard Schultz, and Derik Aspen Scott. Dr. Tyler Jenkins of Columbia Orthopedics testified on behalf of the defense.
Trial Outcome
Judge Joshua Calvin Devine presided over the multi-day jury trial. On February 21, 2024, the jury unanimously found in favor of Jackson, awarding $2.5 million in compensatory damages. The following day, Judge Devine entered judgment, making HINZJJ LLC liable for the full amount of the damages. The judgment also included taxable court costs totaling $7,523.18 and post-judgment interest at a rate of 10.33%.
