A Kansas City man was seriously injured while filling his car with gas at a gas station near Truman Road and The Paseo when two individuals approached him and attempted to steal his vehicle. Even though he was cooperating and handing over his keys, he was shot during the incident. He suffered gunshot injuries to his shoulder and hand, required hospital treatment and physical therapy, and missed time from work while recovering.
At first, the insurance company only offered $5,000 to settle the case. However, our lawyer believed the gas station property owners failed to provide proper security in an area known for violent crime and car theft. The property had poor lighting, no warning signs, and no active security presence, despite a long history of criminal activity at the location.
As we investigated the case, we obtained surveillance footage showing the suspects loitering in the parking lot before the shooting occurred. We also hired a security expert who worked to find documentation as to the property’s history of assaults, vehicle thefts, and other violent crimes, including a prior murder connected to the area.
We filed a lawsuit and took depositions to continue building the case. By showing that the dangers at the property were known and preventable, we were able to secure a $185,000 settlement for our client — significantly more than the original offer and a result that better reflected the seriousness of his injuries and the impact the shooting had on his life.
