Atlanta, GA – September 15, 2025 – After a weeklong trial and just one hour of deliberation, a jury in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia returned a complete defense verdict in favor of Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co. which supplied the innerspring component in a mattress manufactured by Southerland Inc., in a product liability case involving allegations of a defective mattress. Drew Eckl & Farnham LLP attorneys Barbara A. Marschalk and Lisa Richardson represented Hickory Springs.
The plaintiffs, John and Veronica Whitehead, alleged that a strain-aging defect in a mattress innerspring caused metal springs to fracture and puncture Veronica Whitehead, resulting in necrotizing fasciitis. They sought over $15.6 million in damages on theories of strict liability, negligence, and punitive damages.
At trial, plaintiffs argued that warranty claims and internal knowledge of strain-aging showed the mattress was unsafe and defective. The defense, however, successfully countered these claims. Barbara Marschalk & Lisa Richardson led Hickory Springs' courtroom defense, focusing on the plaintiffs' failure to meet the legal burden required in a strict liability case. Their clear, fact-driven presentation highlighted that any product can wear down if not used properly, but that does not equate to a manufacturing defect.
Verdict
The jury unanimously found in favor of Hickory Springs and co-defendant Southerland Inc., rejecting all claims for liability and damages.
Case Information
Whitehead et al. v. Southerland Inc. et al., Case No. 1:22-cv-03008, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
Attorneys for Hickory Springs: Barbara Anne Marschalk and Lisa R. Richardson, Drew Eckl & Farnham LLP