Driver involved in crash with Postal Service van settles for $3M

A Johnson County man injured in a November 2022 motor vehicle collision with a U.S. Postal Service cargo van has settled a negligence lawsuit against the government under the Federal Tort Claims Act for $3 million.

Robert Schroer of Kingsville suffered a mild traumatic brain injury after the Nov. 16, 2022, collision on U.S. 50, shortly before 11 a.m., said lead plaintiff’s attorney Paul Anderson of The Popham Law Firm in Kansas City.

The complaint alleged that that USPS employee Kalee Dutchman Deatley — who was not a party to the complaint — ran a stop sign and crashed into Schroer’s vehicle near the highway’s intersection with County Road 1051 NW while distracted by their cell phone.

Anderson said that Schroer’s vehicle rolled several times before coming to a rest more than 400 feet from the initial collision and was able to extricate himself from the car before being transported to a nearby emergency room, where he was diagnosed with a concussion and released from the hospital that same day.

His symptoms worsened over the next several days, including a severe headache, and he was then diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury and permanent cognitive impairment.

A settlement with the federal government was reached on July 25, online court records show. A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Kansas City, which represented the defense, declined comment.

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$3 million settlement

Motor vehicle collision

Case Number/Date: 4:24-CV-00061/July 25, 2025

Caption: Robert Schroer v. The United States of America

Court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri

Injuries alleged: head, brain and neck

Injuries detail: traumatic brain injury

Plaintiff’s experts: Dr. Randall Benson, Novi, Michigan (neurology); Dale Halfaker, Springfield (psychology)

Defendant’s experts: Dr. Richard Dubinsky, University of Kansas Medical Center (neurology); Eric Hart, Kansas City (psychology)

Plaintiff’s attorneys: Paul Anderson (lead), Popham Law Firm, Kansas City; William Session; Session Law Firm, Kansas City

Defendant’s attorney: Vanessa Kamberis; U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Missouri, Kansas City