Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Doe, a 35-year-old woman with severe mental disabilities, lived at a group home. She was left alone in her room one afternoon while the home’s sole attending staff member was cleaning up after lunch. One of the home’s other residents, a 19-year-old man who functioned at a higher level than Doe, entered Doe’s room and sexually assaulted her.

Doe’s parents sued the group home’s owner and operator and the staff member, alleging improper supervision of residents. The plaintiffs asserted that the defendants had been on notice that the alleged assailant posed a threat to Doe but failed to protect her from the assault.
The defense denied liability and challenged the extent of Doe’s damages.

The parties mediated a $1.75 million settlement.

Citation: Doe v. Roe Group Home, Confidential Dkt. No. (Mo. Cir. Ct. Jackson Cty. Undisclosed Date).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ members Jill Kanatzar and Tim Dollar, both of Kansas City, Mo.