According to a report from KMBC News 9, a local woman warned her friends about the danger of a sagging building shortly before the deadly Family Dollar collapse. Noah Banks, who lives across the street, says that she was closely watching the problems at the building for weeks. Here, our Kansas City wrongful death attorney provides a more comprehensive overview of the case.
Fatal Accident: Family Dollar Building Collapse in Kansas City
A terrible accident was recently reported in Kansas City. On the afternoon of Sunday, July 27, a partial collapse of the roof and front façade occurred at the Family Dollar store at 3726 Broadway Blvd. in Kansas City, Missouri. The Kansas City Fire Department (KCFD) was immediately on the scene of the incident. When they arrived, they found a section of the building’s front had given way. Sadly, a 68-year-old man named Larry Banks was pronounced dead at the scene. A preliminary investigation indicates that he may have been walking past the storefront when the collapse occurred. A 50-year-old woman also suffered severe injuries and was airlifted to a local hospital.
It is important to emphasize that this accident did not “come out of nowhere.” According to public records, local inspectors had received a report two days earlier. They got reports that the building seemed to be “slowly tilting,” City code enforcement files for the address show 19 code complaints dating back to 1993, including issues after a nearby vehicle crash in 2016. Some of the local residents believe that the motor vehicle collision may have contributed to structural weakening. Family Dollar and the building owner (Arthur Fels Company) stated that they are currently conducting an internal investigation.
Local Woman Saw the Problem, But Company Failed to Take Action
Neighbors and concerned locals voiced that a collapse of this nature was not unexpected. Noah Banks, a resident living across from the Family Dollar, shared that she had been closely monitoring the building’s deteriorating condition and sent a warning text to friends the day before the collapse. Indeed, Ms. Banks took photos and alerted other people about the problem. Yet, no action was taken by the business or the property owner.
Understanding Wrongful Death Claims on Grounds of Premises Liability in Missouri
The fatal collapse at the Kansas City Family Dollar raises critical legal considerations under Missouri premises liability and wrongful death law. In cases where a property owner’s negligence leads to a fatal injury, surviving family members may pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim under Missouri law. Negligent businesses and negligent property owners must be held accountable for deadly accidents caused by their failure to properly maintain their premises.
Speak to Our Kansas City Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
At House Law LLC, our Kansas City wrongful death attorney has the knowledge, skills, and experience that you can trust. If your loved one was killed on another person’s property due to poor maintenance, we can help. Call us now or contact us online for a free, no obligation initial case review. With an office in Kansas City, we handle wrongful death cases in Missouri and Kansas.
Tags: brain injury, personal injury, traumatic brain injury
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