Grow facility liable after contractor injured by marijuana dust

A $2.55 million verdict was reached for the plaintiffs in a premises liability suit filed in St. Louis City Circuit Court.

$2.5 million was awarded to plaintiff Mark Avent, and $500,000 was awarded to his wife, Lisa Avent, for health issues that were incurred after inhaling marijuana dust.

The plaintiffs were represented by William Meehan of the Meehan Law Firm in St. Louis. The defendant, Blue Arrow Missouri, was represented by David Simmons of UBGreensfelder in St. Louis. The suit was filed in December 2022, and the verdict was reached Nov. 20, 2025.

Mark Avent was working as an independent contractor for the defendant’s marijuana grow facility. According to the suit, the defendant’s employee negligently released marijuana dust into the lab air space where the plaintiff was working. The plaintiff subsequently suffered pulmonary distress, which triggered an NSTEM heart attack. He requires future medical care for atrial fibrillation, and developed PTSD after the event, never returning to work.

Blue Arrow was found 85 percent at fault, while Avent was found 15 percent at fault.

The plaintiffs’ side had two experts: Dr. Stephen Schuman, a cardiologist; and vocational specialist Jim Israel. The defense also had two experts testify: Dr. Zia Ahmad, a cardiologist; and vocational rehabilitation expert Ed Steffan.

There was one pretrial demand for $3.2 million.

“Both the clients and I were very, very gratified by the verdict. The jury was with us the whole way and realized this was a serious injury,” Meehan said. “They were very accurate in their assessment of the damages.”

Counsel for the defense could not be reached for comment.

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Premises Liability

Total value: $2.55 million

Breakdown and distribution of Total Value: $2.5 million for plaintiff Mark Avent and $500,000 for plaintiff Lisa Avent

Type of action: Premises Liability

Venue: St. Louis City Circuit Court

Case Number/Date: 2222-CC10104, 11/20/2025

Caption: Mark and Lisa Avent v. Blue Arrow of Missouri LLC

Injuries alleged: Other

Injuries Detail: Plaintiff suffered a NSTEM myocardial infarct as a result of severe pulmonary arrest; developed atrial fibrillation after attack; suffered from severe PTSD

Special Damages: Loss wages, hospital bills, future medical care; actual bills were entered into evidence

Pretrial Demand: $3.2 million

Plaintiff Attorney(s): William Meehan of the Meehan Law Firm in St. Louis

Defendant Attorney(s): David Simmons of UBGreensfelder in St. Louis

Plaintiff Expert(s): Dr. Stephen Schuman, a cardiologist; and vocational specialist Jim Israel

Defendant Expert(s): Cardiologist Dr. Zia Ahmad and vocational rehabilitation expert Ed Steffan

Insurance Carrier(s): None, coverage was denied