by KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Missouri woman is suing Family Dollar after a roof collapse at one of its Kansas City stores left her with severe, permanent injuries and resulted in the death of a 58-year-old man, according to a lawsuit filed Friday.
The plaintiff, Tammy Martin, has named Family Dollar Stores of Missouri, Family Dollar, Inc., and the Arthur Fels Company—which owns the property—as defendants. She alleges negligence led to the tragic incident on July 27.
What Happened
According to the lawsuit, Martin was shopping inside the store when the roof suddenly collapsed, causing heavy debris to fall directly on her.
“The heavy debris which fell onto Plaintiff caused severe and permanent injuries to Plaintiff’s entire body, including but not limited to her head, face, neck, back, spine, pelvis, arms, hands, and legs,” the lawsuit states.
Martin claims the collapse stemmed from a 2016 vehicle accident that knocked down a support pillar, which was never repaired. Witnesses reportedly warned that the roof looked unstable shortly before the collapse.
Lawsuit Claims and Building Conditions
The lawsuit alleges that the store was not structurally sound, with a sagging roof and an unreasonably dangerous condition that should have been identified and fixed. Martin is seeking more than $25,000 in damages.
A report from Kansas City code enforcement, filed just two days before the collapse, described the building as “tilting,” according to KCTV5 News.
Ongoing Investigations
Authorities say both the Kansas City Police Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are investigating the collapse.
Martin’s attorney, James Stigall, told local media the incident was entirely avoidable.
“It appears Family Dollar and the property owner knew the building was not structurally safe and presented a serious danger to customers and the general public,” he said.
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