Accounting, Damages, Economics Archives

Jackson County jury awards millions in liability lawsuit

A $4.75 million verdict was granted to the plaintiff in a premises liability case out of Jackson County Circuit Court.

The verdict was reached Dec. 19, 2025, following a jury trial overseen by Judge Adam Caine. The verdict was reduced by 5 percent comparative fault, with a $4.512 million judgment entered. The plaintiff in the case was Nina Mingle; the defendants were Prime Healthcare Services – Kansas City, doing business as St. Joseph Medical Center.

The verdict comes after the plaintiff, who was 63 years old at the time, dropped off her mother at the defendant’s emergency room on Dec. 29, 2018. The plaintiff was in the ER parking lot when she tripped and fell over a wheel stop.

The plaintiff brought suit claiming that the paint on the wheel stop was flaking off, making the wheel stop blend in with the curb. The plaintiff believed she was stepping onto the curb but actually stepped into air and fell.

The plaintiff required open reduction internal fixation for a tibial plateau fracture, as well as four additional surgeries. The final surgery was to implant a spinal cord simulation, after the injuries developed in complex regional pain syndrome.

The plaintiff further argued that the wheel stop didn’t comply with American Society for Testing and Materials standards. The defendant denied liability, claiming there was no dangerous condition and that the plaintiff should have been looking out. The defendant also maintained it complied with Kansas City building codes; ATSM compliance is voluntary.

The defendant stated the property underwent regular inspections and was not dangerous, claiming that the plaintiff’s chronic back pain was pre-existing.

The plaintiff was represented by attorney Thomas J. Dickerson of Dickerson Oxton in Kansas City, with Kahlie M. Hoffman, also with Dickerson Oxton. The defendant was represented by attorney Bret A. Clark, with Scharnhorst Ast Kennard Griffin in Kansas City, with Joshua L. Hill, also with Scharnhorst Ast Kennard Griffin.

There was a pretrial demand for $2.475 million and a pretrial offer of $25,000.

The plaintiff’s team brought in several experts: safety consultant Russell Kendzior from Dallas; Dr. Catherine Doty, a diagnostic specialist and physiatrist life care planner in St. Louis; and John Ward, Ph. D., specializing in accounting, damages and economics from Prairie Village, Kansas.

The defendant’s experts were Dr. Alex Willingham, a diagnostic specialist and physiatrist life care planner in San Antonio; and Anthony Fenton, an architect from Chicago.

“We were very pleased with the outcome of the case. It took over seven years … when the verdict came down. It was a long road to get there,” said Hoffman. “We were thrilled to get it to a jury who believed in her and her story … we’re really proud of our client and her perseverance and her continued perseverance.”

The case is being appealed in the Western District, and Hoffman said they were “confident we will come out ahead on that as well.”

“We respectfully disagree with the verdict and are pursuing an appeal based on legitimate grounds,” Clark said in an emailed statement. “Because the matter remains ongoing, we are not able to comment further at this time.”

Premises Liability

Amount of verdict: $4.75 million

Type of action: Premises Liability

Allocation of Fault: 95 percent defendant prime, 5 percent plaintiff

Breakdown: Reduced for 5 percent comparative fault, judgment entered for $4,512,000

Venue: Jackson County Circuit Court

Case Number/Date: 2116-CV17123/Dec. 19, 2025,

Judge: Adam Caine

Plaintiffs’ Experts: safety consultant Russell Kendzior, Dallas; Dr. Catherine Doty, diagnostic specialist and physiatrist life care planner, St. Louis; John Ward, Ph. D., accounting, damages and economics, Prairie Village, Kansas

Defendants’ Experts: Dr. Alex Willingham, diagnostic specialist and physiatrist life care planner, San Antonio; Anthony Fenton AIA, architect, Chicago.

Injuries: Leg, knee, ankle, foot, other

Special Damages: $112,939.02 past paid medical expenses; $18,201.36 outstanding medical expenses; $184,658.00 past and future loss of household services; and $1,174,580.00 future medical expenses

Last Pretrial Demand: $2.475 million

Last Pretrial Offer: $25,000

Insurer:

Caption: Nina Mingle v. Prime Healthcare Services, et al.

Plaintiffs’ Attorneys: Thomas J. Dickerson and Kahlie M. Hoffman, Dickerson Oxton, Kansas City

Defendants’ Attorneys: Bret A. Clark, and Joshua L. Hill, Scharnhorst Ast Kennard Griffin, Kansas City

Multimillion verdict for firefighter injured in gurney fall

A $6.4 million net verdict was awarded Jan. 14 in Jackson County Circuit Court at Independence to a firefighter for injuries he sustained transporting a patient.

Buddy Montgomery was awarded $4.8 million and his wife, Stacy Montgomery, was awarded $1.6 million (for loss of consortium) after Buddy Montgomery was injured trying to keep a patient from rolling off a gurney. Judge Kenneth Garrett III presided over the jury trial.

The incident occurred on Jan. 11, 2017. The plaintiff was one of two firefighters responding to a call for an unresponsive person in an Independence apartment parking lot. Defendant AMR responded with ambulance services.

A gurney provided by the defendant was used to transport the patient. As the plaintiff and the other firefighter lifted the patient onto the gurney, it moved, and the plaintiff pulled up on the patient to keep him from falling to the ground.

In this process, Buddy Montgomery was injured. The injuries required multiple surgeries, and he brought a suit for negligence, claiming the defendant was responsible for securing the gurney. The defendant countered that the plaintiff should have ensured that the gurney was secure, and that only the plaintiff and the other firefighter noticed his injury; no one reported the incident to the defendant.

Buddy Montgomery suffered a SLAP tear to his right shoulder, and a herniated disc at C6-C7. Three weeks after the incident, the plaintiff developed hydrocephalus due to a blockage caused by a congenital colloid cyst in his brain. The defendant claimed that the plaintiff’s hydrocephalus was a coincidence.

The plaintiff was represented by lead attorney Brett Burmeister of Burmeister Gilmore in Blue Springs, along with Kristi Burmeister of Burmeister Gilmore, and Eric Playter of Playter Trial Lawyers in Rayton.

The defendant was represented by lead attorney Stephen Fields of Brinker & Doyen in St. Louis, along with Emily Lavine with Brinker & Doyen, and Daniel Huff and Michelle Salandy of Huff Powell Bailey in Atlanta.

The gross verdict was $6 million for Buddy Montgomery and $2 million for Stacey Montgomery. Allocation of fault — 80 percent against the defendant and 20 percent against the plaintiff — reduced the net verdict to $6.4 million.

Special damages included $478,000 in past medical expenses, $2.4 million in lost wages and lost household services and $1.7 million in future supervision/caregiving expenses.

There was one pretrial demand at mediation for $5.5 million.

The plaintiffs had several experts testify, including Robert Krause, Ed.D., an EMS expert based in Toledo, Ohio; John Ward, Ph.D., of John Ward Economics in Prairie Village, Kansas, who specializes in accounting, damages and economics; Walter Disney, a mental health therapist in Kansas City; Dr. Paul Cowan, an orthopedic surgeon; Dr. John Clough, a neurosurgeon; Dr. Peter Basta, a neurosurgeon; Dr. John Francis, a psychiatrist; and Michael Dreiling, a vocational expert in Prairie Village.

Experts for the defendants were Dr. Todd Silverman, a neurologist; Dr. James Applebaum, a neurologist; Eric Ficken, CPA, of St. Louis, specializing in accounting, damages and economics; and Dr. Howard Mell, an EMS expert based in O’Fallon, Illinois.

Counsel for both parties could not be reached for comment.

Amount of verdict: $6.4 million for plaintiff

Type of action: Other personal injury

Venue: Jackson County Circuit Court in Independence

Case Number/Date: 2216-CV00539/Jan. 14, 2026

Injuries Alleged: Head, brain, neck, shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, hand, neurological, emotional, psychological

Injuries Detail: Plaintiff suffered a SLAP tear to his right shoulder, and a herniated disc at C6-C7. Three weeks after the incident, plaintiff developed hydrocephalus due to blockage caused by a congenital colloid cyst in his brain

Caption: Montgomery v. Medevac Medical Response, Inc.

Special Damages: $478,000 in past medical expenses, $2.4 million in lost wages and lost household services and $1.7 million in future supervision/caregiving expenses

First Pretrial Demand: $5.5 million at mediation

Plaintiff’s Attorneys: Brett Burmeister and Kristi Burmeister, Burmeister Gilmore, Blue Springs and Eric Playter, Playter Trial Lawyers, Rayton.

Defendant’s Attorneys: Stephen Fields and Emily Lavine, Brinker & Doyen, St. Louis, and Daniel Huff and Michelle Salandy, Huff Powell Bailey, Atlanta

Plaintiff’s Experts: Robert Krause, Ed.D., an EMS expert in Toledo, Ohio; John Ward, Ph.D., of John Ward Economics in Prairie Village, Kansas, who specializes in accounting, damages and economics; Walter Disney, a mental health therapist in Kansas City; Paul Cowan, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon; John Clough, M.D., neurosurgeon; Peter Basta, M.D., a neurosurgeon; John Francis, D.O., a psychiatrist; and Michael Dreiling, a vocational expert in Prairie Village.

Defendant’s Experts: Todd Silverman, M.D., a neurologist; James Applebaum, M.D., a neurologist; Eric Ficken, CPA, in St. Louis, specializing in accounting, damages and economics; and Howard Mell, M.D., an EMS expert in O’Fallon, Illinois.

After years of debating causation, settlement paid to woman injured in crash

In 2022, the plaintiff in this case was involved in a motor vehicle collision leaving her with injuries to her head, back, neck and knees resulting in a knee replacement surgery. In 2026, the case finally settled for over $200,000.

Laurie Del Percio of The Horn Law Firm in Independence represented Pamela Duggan in the case. The defendant, Bradley Wine, had no attorney; State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company also was a defendant.

Duggan was involved in a car accident with Wine in December 2022, Del Percio said. No police report was filed, and Duggan hoped her pain would subside with time and over the counter medications.

“When the pain did not subside, Ms. Duggan presented to the emergency department with neck pain and knee pain from hitting the brake,” Del Percio said. “Ms. Duggan also sustained a head injury during the collision. CT of the cervical spine was completed due to spinal process tenderness, which was negative for any acute fractures. X-rays of her knee were completed due to pain, which showed joint effusion. Since she did not have any life-threatening injuries, she was discharged with a prescription for muscle relaxers and instructed to follow up with her primary care provider, if the pain persisted.”

Duggan followed up with her doctor because her pain persisted, and she was sent to orthopedics, Del Percio said.

“After examination and testing, Ms. Duggan was diagnosed with knee pain with symptoms of internal derangement, likely secondary to inflamed medial plica and subpatellar fat pad,” Del Percio explained. “Based on the findings, the orthopedic specialist recommended a knee epidural steroid injection. Ms. Duggan elected to proceed and underwent the injection in the office that same day.”

Despite the injections, Duggan’s pain persisted, and she followed up with a chiropractor who put her on a care regimen. Additionally, she sought care from an eye doctor for her head injury symptoms and was diagnosed with post-concussional syndrome and convergence insufficiency. Duggan was then referred to a concussion specialist.

In 2023, Duggan was still suffering from headaches, lethargy/fatigue, brain fog and neck pain as a result of the collision.

Duggan stated that since the subject collision, she had noticed “suboccipital headaches accompanied by photophobia and phonophobia; severe vertigo accompanied by nausea and vomiting; weaker left hand; worsening gait instability; and numbness and paresthesias in right foot,” according to Del Percio.

In spring of 2023, Duggan received a second injection in her knee and followed up with her neurologist. Here, she was given a referral for vestibular rehabilitation, speech therapy and neuropsychology therapy, Del Percio said. That fall, she also underwent knee replacement surgery and a skilled physical therapy program that lasted through 2024.

“Due to continued symptoms, Ms. Duggan saw a concussion specialist again on October 17, 2024,” Del Percio said. “She had improved with vestibular physical therapy, but her progress did plateau. Unfortunately, there was nothing further to offer Ms. Duggan from a concussion treatment standpoint. She would just have to live with her head injury.”

Despite years of medical treatment and ongoing pain, it took until 2026 to reach a settlement with the defendant driver and his insurance.

The case took years to settle due to arguments over the causation of the crash, according to Del Percio. But in January of this year, the policy limits were finally paid and Duggan settled for $211,592.08.

“What helped was that we had an economist prepare an economic report that was able to talk about the household activities that were affected because of her injuries in the collision,” Del Percio said. “She had problems with endurance activities that she was (previously) able to do with no problems, such as household chores, groceries, cleaning. (It) took her longer to do, and that decreased her productivity. So that was a part that we wanted to make sure didn’t get lost in the shuffle and was calculated by an economist.”

Amount of verdict, judgment or settlement: $211,592.08

Type of action: Motor vehicle collision

Breakdown: $100,000.00 policy limit (tortfeasor)
$100,000.00 policy limit (underinsured motorist policy)
$11,592.08 medical payment coverage

Venue: Jackson County Circuit Court at Independence

Date: 01/12/2026

Plaintiffs’ Experts: William Rogers; Accounting, Damages, Economics, John Ward Economics.

Injuries: Head, brain, neck, back, spine, shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, hand, chest, abdomen, hip, pelvis, leg, knee, ankle, foot, eye.

Special Damages: $130,345.61 past medical (billed)
$93,025.64 past medical (written-off).

Insurer: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company

Caption: Pamela Duggan v. Bradley Wine; State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company

Plaintiffs’ Attorneys: Laurie Del Percio, The Horn Law Firm, Independence.

Defendants’ Attorneys: N/A

Spouse and children of driver killed in collision reach settlement

The family of a 57-year-old tow truck driver who was struck and killed by another vehicle while assisting a stranded motorist on Interstate 255 in the Metro East has reached a $3.4 million confidential settlement of a wrongful death claim with the other motorist’s insurer.

A copy of the settlement agreement, which was provided to Missouri Lawyers Media for verification, shows that the plaintiff’s surviving spouse received $1.1 million, with his three adult children equally splitting another $1.1 million and the Jefferson County plaintiff’s firm of Reinoehl Kehlenbrink receiving a similar stake for legal fees.

The confidentiality agreement precludes disclosure of both the plaintiff and defendant, as well as the identity of the responsible driver’s insurer.

According to a police accident report, the tow truck driver died on impact after the November 29, 2023, accident on southbound I-255 near Mile Marker 6 in Monroe County, Illinois. The other driver, who was 47 at the time, was driving a Ford F-150 pickup truck pulling its own auto trailer.

The victim’s family initially sought a $5 million settlement, said lead plaintiff’s attorney Scott Kehlenbrink, which was countered with a $2 million initial offer that was then increased to $2.5 million before the two sides agreed to mediation with private attorney Charles Swarthout, at which the final settlement was agreed.

$3.4 million settlement

Wrongful death (Motor vehicle collision)

Breakdown and distribution of value:

Case Number/Date: Confidential/Oct. 15, 2025

Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois (not filed)
Caption: Confidential v. Confidential
Plaintiff’s attorney: Scott Kehlenbrink (lead) and Rusty Reinoehl; Reinoehl Kehlenbrink, LLC; Arnold

Defendant’s attorney: James Craney; Craney Winters Law Group, Edwardsville, Illinois

Special damages: $750,000 in future lost wages, value of household services

Plaintiff’s expert: Michelle Beach, Springfield (accident reconstruction); William Rogers, Ward Economics, Leawood, Kansas (accounting/damages/economics)

Settlement reached in NC helicopter crash that killed meteorologist

A $126 million settlement was reached in a helicopter crash lawsuit that killed a North Carolina meteorologist.

The $126.3 million settlement was reached in North Carolina court Sept. 16.

Jason Myers, a meteorologist for Charlotte’s WBTV, died Nov. 22, 2022, when a helicopter operated by Total Traffic and Weather Network crashed near an interstate. Myers, who was 41, was part of a simulated news mission with pilot Chip Tayag when the helicopter went down and was destroyed on impact, killing both men.

Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board found the helicopter was not airworthy at the time of flight: a defective part had been used in the control system. This nut was known to crack and fail; it connected the control rod to the main rotor mast. Despite clear manufacturer warnings advising against using this part, TTWN did not implement the recommended safety upgrade.

A wrongful death lawsuit was filed in North Carolina Superior Court in March 2023 by Jillian Ann Myers, Jason Myers’ widow, naming TTWN Media Networks LLC, and parent companies iHeartCommunications Inc. and iHeartMedia Inc. as defendants.

Myers was represented by Andrew Robb of Robb & Robb in Kansas City, as well as Brittany Sanders Robb, Gary C. Robb and Anita Porte Robb. The defendants were represented by lead attorney William Starr of Baker Donelson in Charlotte, as well as Richard Gregory, also with Baker Donelson.

The lawsuit alleged TTWN’s operational negligence caused mechanical failure leading to the crash, citing the use of the defective nut despite manufacturer guidance.

The plaintiff’s team brought in seven experts, including a metallurgist, pilot and two engineers, one of whom was the lead expert and specialized in accident reconstruction. The defendants’ team had six experts, including an engineer as lead expert, two aircraft mechanics and a metallurgist.

A North Carolina judge ultimately ordered $50 million be paid to the Myers family.

“After three years of intense litigation, the Myers family is pleased to put this phase behind them. Jason Myers’s death has had a profound impact on his wife and four children he left behind. By all accounts, this was an extraordinary man,” Andrew Robb said. “This crash was the result of defective maintenance practices and procedures, which led to the complete loss of control of the aircraft, while in flight. At the center of this litigation were the policies, practices and procedures of TTWN, the helicopter-services company that maintained this aircraft.”

The actual judgement is $126.3 million against the defendants — a $105 million total agreed upon by both parties’ attorneys along with accrued interest. However, by agreement the defendants’ primary insurers will pay $50 million. Jillian Myers can seek the additional amount against the defendants’ excess or umbrella insurance carriers.

“The Myers family sincerely hopes that this result helps to improve the practices of aviation operators at news organizations throughout the country—based on what we’ve already seen, we believe the industry got the message,” said Robb.

Starr could not be reached for comment.

Wrongful death

Amount of settlement: $126,287,671.23

Type of action: Wrongful Death

Venue: North Carolina

Case Number/Date: 23-CVS-4071, 09/16/2025

Caption: Jillian Myers v. Total Traffic Weather Networks, LLC, et al.

Injuries alleged: Death

Plaintiff’s Attorneys: Andrew Robb, Brittany Sanders Robb, Gary C. Robb and Anita Porte Robb of Robb & Robb in Kansas City

Defendant’s Attorneys: William Starr and Richard Gregory with Baker Donelson in Charlotte

Insurance carrier(s): Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company, for defendant Precision Eye Care

Plaintiff expert(s): Accident reconstruction specialist Donald Sommer, P.E.; Col. William Lawrence, a pilot; engineer Richard Wartman P.E.; metallurgist James Burns, Ph. D.; business and finance specialist Bart Feder; business and finance specialist Gary Albrecht; and Arthur Lee Cofmann.

Defendant expert(s): Engineer Douglas Moore, Ph. D.; metallurgist Gary Fowler, Ph. D.; aircraft mechanic John Stephenson; aircraft mechanic James Westphal; business finance specialist Paul Hardart; and accounting, damages and economics specialist Mark Gallagher

U-turn crash in Jackson County ends in settlement

A $105,000 settlement was reached in a motor vehicle collision suit out of Jackson County Circuit Court.

Of the settlement, $100,00 was from tort-feasor and $5,000 was in medical payment coverage. It was reached Oct. 27, 2025.

The plaintiff was represented by Laurie Del Percio of The Horn Law Firm in Independence.

The accident occurred Oct. 8, 2024, when the defendant, Steven A. Van Camp, made a U-turn in front of the plaintiff’s car without warning, resulting in a collision. Paramedics arrived on scene and the plaintiff, Sharon Goodloe, was transported by ambulance to the nearest trauma hospital.

At the hospital, the plaintiff alleged neck, back and shoulder pains. Precautionary CT scans and X-rays were taken, but diagnostic films came back within normal limits. The plaintiff was released and instructed to follow up with a healthcare provider if pain continued. She did the following day at a chiropractor, complaining of neck, back and right arm pain, as well as headaches. The chiropractor began rehabilitation treatments consisting of adjustments, manual therapy, intersegmental traction and rehab exercises; however the chiropractor recommended the plaintiff see her primary care physician due to continued shoulder pain.

The physician recommended physical therapy for the plaintiff’s shoulder, which began Dec. 19, and she attended a total of 23 sessions. After these sessions, the plaintiff was still experiencing right shoulder problems and underwent an MRI.

The MRI revealed significant shoulder damage, including arthritis where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade and inflammation in the surrounding tissue. Multiple rotator cuff tendons showed wear and tear with partial tears. While nothing was completely torn, the combination of arthritis, inflammation and partial tears most likely contributed to the plaintiff’s ongoing pain and limited range of motion.

The plaintiff was referred to an orthopedic specialist in June 2025, where she was instructed to continue her home exercise program. Surgery was also recommended, but the plaintiff wants to hold off as long as possible due to recovery time. The plaintiff has continued loss range of motion and strength in her right, dominant arm.

“An economic report detailing the household activities that have been affected by the subject collision was key in negotiating a successful settlement,” Del Percio stated.

Del Percio said that the plaintiff, 51, was in “excellent health with no physical restrictions” prior to the collision.

Motor Vehicle Collision

Amount of settlement: $105,000

Breakdown and distribution of total value: $100,000 from tort-feasor, $5,000 medical payments coverage

Type of action: Motor vehicle collision

Venue: Jackson County Circuit Court

Case Number/Date: Not filed, 10/27/2025

Injuries alleged: Head, brain, neck, back, spine, shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, hand

Special Damages: $44,446.56 past medical (billed), $25,012.86 past medical (written off)

Plaintiff Attorney(s): Laurie Del Percio of The Horn Law Firm in Independence

Defendant Attorney(s): None

Plaintiff Expert(s): Dr. William Rogers, who specializes in accounting, damages and economics with John Ward Economics in Prairie Village, Kansas

Jackson County jury awards $18.6M verdict in hotel development lawsuit

Jury awards $18.6M to plaintiffs in hotel development lawsuit
Case centered on alleged fraud and negligence by lender and counsel
Plaintiffs lost hotel project and down payment after loan default
Pretrial offer of $2.9M rejected before trial

A Jackson County jury awarded a multimillion-dollar verdict in favor of the plaintiff in a business tort case.

The Jackson County Circuit Court jury sided with the plaintiffs, a joint venture of six companies and two individuals, April 2 in a $18.6 million business/commercial case alleging fraud and negligence. The trial was overseen by Judge Burnett S. Margene.

The case stems from the plaintiffs’ development of a hotel in Kansas City. The joint venture used AltosGroups (Altos) to serve as their lender during the development of the hotel. Altos subsequently was retained by Sandberg Phoenix to document the loan process between the two parties.

Leading up to the closing of the loan, James Neeld of Sandberg Phoenix, serving as Altos’ attorney, allegedly “negligently and fraudulently” claimed Altos was a legitimate lender capable of funding the loan. The plaintiffs took Neeld’s word; however, Altos defaulted on the loan. Consequently, the plaintiffs lost the hotel development as well as a portion of a down payment deposit that was never returned by Altos.

There was one pretrial offer in the amount of $2.9 million.

The plaintiffs were represented by lead attorney John M. Edgar of the Edgar Law Firm in Kansas City, as well as Ryan J. Loehr and Matthew R. Watkins, also of the Edgar Law Firm.

“We were very satisfied and very pleased with the verdict,” Edgar said, “and also appreciate the time and attention of the jurors to sit patiently and hear our case for two and a half weeks, and the excellent handling of the case by the judge.”

Edgar added the outcome was an example of the “wonderful” jury system that “works very well, as it did in this case.”

The defendants were represented by lead attorney Daniel F. Church, along with Gary Wilnauer, Blake Butner and Brittain McClurg, of Morrow Wilnauer Church in Kansas City.

Church could not be reached for comment.

The plaintiffs brought in two experts: John Keeling, who specializes in accounting and economics, as well as Dennis Kennedy, who specializes in legal ethics.

The defendants had several experts, including Shawn Fox, who specializes in accounting and economics; and three legal ethics experts: Mark Hinderks, Sylvester James and Leland Shurin.

Business/Commercial

Amount of verdict: $18,600,000

Type of action: Business/commercial

Venue: Jackson County Circuit Court

Case Number/Date: 2216-CV04480, 4/2/2025

Caption: 900 Broadway KC Development Company LLC; Remsk, LLC; Oak Holdings, LLC; Pedersen Development Company, LLC; Shanahan Development Company, LLC; Cklomhaus, LLC; Scott Pedersen; Jeffrey Shanahan v. Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard, P.C.; James C. Neeld

First pretrial offer: $2.9 million

Plaintiff’s attorneys: John M. Edgar, Ryan J. Loehr and Matthew R. Watkins of the Edgar Law Firm in Kansas City

Defendant’s attorneys: Daniel F. Church, Gary Wilnauer, Blake Butner and Brittain McClurg of Morrow Wilnauer Church in Kansas City

Plaintiff expert(s): Accounting and economics expert John Keeling and legal ethics expert Dennis Kennedy

Defendant expert(s): Accounting and economics expert Shawn Fox and legal ethics experts Mark Hinderks, Sylvester James and Leland Shurin