Jury finds for plaintiff in crash at intersection

A Jackson County jury has awarded slightly more than a quarter-million dollars to a 34-year-old Lee’s Summit woman injured in an April 2018 motor vehicle collision.

The $251,750 jury verdict for plaintiff Madison Portulas against defendant Mary Catherine Davis, 55, also of Lee’s Summit, followed a five-day trial in late September.

According to the suit and a Lees Summit Police Department accident report, Portulas was driving a 2006 Ford Taurus on northbound Ward Road when she was struck by Davis’ 2010 Acura MDX as the SUV driver attempted to make a left turn from southbound Ward Road onto eastbound Persels Road.

Plaintiff’s attorney Brianne Thomas said her client’s injuries included damage to her hip, pelvis, leg, knee, ankle and foot.

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$251,750 jury verdict for plaintiff

Motor vehicle collision

Case Number/Date: 2316-CV07723/Sept. 25, 2025

Court: Circuit Court of Jackson County at Independence

Judge: Circuit Judge Marty Seaton

Caption: Madison Portulas v. Mary Davis

Injuries alleged: hip, pelvis, leg, knee, ankle, foot

Injuries detail: Patella fracture, torn labrum of shoulder and hip, psychological injuries

Plaintiff’s experts: Dr. Akhil Chharte, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (life care planning) Dr. Brett Miller, Kansas City (medical-diagnostic specialties)
Defendant’s expert: Dr. Michael Johnson, Salina, Kan. (medical-diagnostic specialties)

Plaintiffs’ attorneys: Brianne Thomas (lead), Boyd Kenter Thomas & Parrish, Independence; Eric Playter, Playter Trial Lawyers, Raytown; Paul Danaher, Danaher Law Firm, Lees Summit

Defendants’ attorneys: Chris Carpenter and Mason Mitchell, Law Offices of Rebecca E. Schubert, Lees Summit

Insurance: Farmers Insurance (for Davis)