Kansas City Legal Blog

How might an individual who has suffered personal injury owing to third-party negligence proceed if the would-be defendant is a huge and deep-pocketed corporation?

That person can of course file a lawsuit on his or her individual behalf, but that effort might involve marked challenges relative to time, money and resources. After all, such a litigation scenario pits a single person against a mighty business entity in stark David-versus-Goliath fashion.

Edgar Law Firm recently gained class certification in Johnson v. Safe Auto Insurance Company, Case No. 1316-CV31993, pending in the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri. The plaintiff class claims that Safe Auto was unfairly enriched by wrongfully assessing fees to Missouri customers for an "accidental death benefit" product. The court granted class certification on August 19, 2016. If Safe Auto is found liable, Missouri consumers who were assessed fees for the "accidental death benefit" product, and those who did not make a claim on the product, may be entitled to compensation.

On April 4, 2016, final settlement approval was granted in Irene Corson et al. v. Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. et al., Case Number 2:12-cv-08499, pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The settlement provides relief for more than 800,000 owners of 2009 and 2010 Corollas. The plaintiffs had alleged that the electronic power steering control unit of the vehicles caused the vehicles to drift at higher speeds and possibly lose control. Those class member owners who previously had complained of the off-center feel of the steering will have their electronic control units replaced at no cost. Those class owners who paid out of pocket to replace the electronic control unit, will be reimbursed for their costs, up to $650.00. The remaning members of the class who wish to have their electronic control unit replaced may receive their electronic control unit replaced at a 50% discount.