Philadelphia County Settlement at Mediation: $500,000.00:

I am pleased to report the settlement of a premises liability action brought against a gas station/convenience store. The case was brought by decedent’s estate arguing general negligence in the death of a young man. Decedent entered the store, purchased a few items, and then exited the store. Unbeknownst to decedent, a car pulled into the lot out from which two men with assault-style rifles began shooting multiple rounds at decedent in what was alleged to be a “targeted shooting.” Decedent fled but was later found and executed. The defense argued, in part, that Pennsylvania Law imposed no “duty” on Defendants and that even if there were a “legal duty,” the “cause” of decedent’s death had nothing to do with any alleged breach of that duty as this was a targeted shooting and that this tragic incident would have occurred regardless. After a full day at Mediation, followed by several days of back-and-forth, I was able to procure an amicable settlement which avoiding Plaintiff risking the case being dismissed on “Summary Judgment” and the Defendants risking a large verdict in the event the case proceeded to trial.