Settlement– Lifetime payments for a young widow whose husband was electrocuted on a construction site.
A construction crew was framing a house in a new housing development in Overland Park Kansas, when this tragedy occurred. The crew including supervisors had been preparing to set an I-beam in the house using a front loader. They had only tied one rope to the beam, instead of two, and it began to swing and gain momentum. When our clients husband tried to direct it, the beam hit an overhead transmission line and he died instantly.
In Kansas, there was a $200,000 cap on death benefits and this young man left behind his new bride and infant child in Missouri. Scared and confused, the wife of the deceased contact our firm to review the case.
This is a perfect example of how a state line through the middle of our metro area (Missouri and Kansas) can affect the outcome of similar cases because, depending on which side of that line you’re on, it brings into play divergent laws, juries, and other factors.
In Missouri, lifetime death benefit could pay out between $1 and $1.5 million dollars.
After hiring a personal investigator to conduct an investigation on the building, neighbors, and power line, The Pottenger Law Firm was able to develop and provide enough evidence to show that the deceased was hired in Missouri, not Kansas; therefore the case should be tried or settled in Missouri.
The $1 million dollar settlement that was awarded to our client was significantly more than the young family would have received had the case been made in Kansas. The $800,000 difference truly made a grave impact on the lives of the deceased’s family.
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At The Pottenger Law Firm LLC, our Kansas City personal injury lawyers are dedicated to fighting for the rights of accident victims. We understand the unique challenges faced by individuals who have suffered a serious injury because of someone else’s negligence. We know the costs – financial, physical, and emotional – that victims and their families are left facing.
You and your family should not be held responsible for the considerable expenses associated with medical care, lost wages, and more. Our compassionate and experienced Kansas City personal injury attorneys may be able to help you get the financial compensation you deserve. To discuss your case with us in more detail, contact us today for a free consultation by calling 816-531-6006.
