Strong v. United States of America et al

Filing 131

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS re 127 MOTION for Order Approving Settlement filed by Karina Strong. Signed on 2/6/2018 by Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr. (Beaver, Cameron)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
CENTRAL DIVISION
ESTATE OF ROBERT F. STRONG, JR.,
by and through Personal Representative
Karina A. Strong,
Plaintiff,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Defendant.

)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)

2:15-cv-04265-NKL

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
This case concerns the alleged wrongful death of Robert F. Strong, Jr. See Amended
Complaint, Doc. 123. Plaintiff Karina Strong has moved for approval of the settlement with
Defendant United States of America in this case as well as allocation of the proceeds of that
settlement. See Motion for Approval of Settlement and Allocation, Doc. 127. On February 6,
2018, the Court held a settlement approval hearing.1 The Court now makes the following
findings of fact and conclusions of law:
1.

Mr. Strong died in Missouri on October 6, 2016.

2.

Plaintiff Karina Strong, the surviving spouse of Mr. Strong, is the wrongful death

beneficiary class member of the Decedent who brought a wrongful death claim on behalf of all
wrongful death class beneficiary members under R.S.Mo. § 537.080.
3.

1

Plaintiff is a resident of Missouri.

The Honorable Nanette K. Laughrey referred the settlement approval hearing to the
undersigned United States Magistrate Judge for processing under the Magistrate Act, 28 U.S.C.
§ 636, and Local Rule 72.1.

4.

The Court has jurisdiction to approve the settlement because plaintiff resides in

Missouri, the facts alleged in the Amended Complaint arose in Missouri, and Robert F. Strong,
Jr. was a resident of Missouri at the time of his death.
5.

Mr. Strong is survived not only by Plaintiff, but also by his parents and four

natural daughters.
6.

Plaintiff Karina Strong has represented that she knows of no other wrongful death

beneficiary other than as set forth above, and that there are no other wrongful death beneficiaries
as defined under R.S.Mo. § 537.080.1(1).
7.

Plaintiff made diligent efforts to give notice of this settlement, and of the date,

time, and location of the settlement approval hearing, to each of the other wrongful death
beneficiary class members in accordance with Missouri law. Plaintiff succeeded in giving notice
through certified mail to each of Mr. Strong’s children and to Mr. Strong’s father. Mr. Strong’s
father assigned his portion of the settlement proceeds to Plaintiff in writing.
8.

Defendant denies liability to Plaintiff of any kind or character. Nevertheless, the

parties have been able to negotiate a compromise and settlement. The gross amount was stated
on the record.
9.

Plaintiff has represented that she understands that, after collecting the judgment,

and after deduction of expenses and attorneys’ fees, she will be obligated to distribute the
proceeds as set forth in Exhibit 6, and then to report to the Court that these steps have been
accomplished.
10.

Plaintiff and her attorneys have represented to the Court that the settlement

amount and settlement agreement are fair and reasonable considering all facts and circumstances,

and that their approval by the Court would be in the best interests of the Plaintiff and the other
wrongful death beneficiaries.
11.

Payment is being made on behalf of Defendant.

12.

Plaintiff knowingly and voluntarily waived a trial by jury, on her own behalf and

on behalf of all wrongful death beneficiaries.
13.

The proposed settlement with Defendant is fair and reasonable.

14.

The proposed settlement distribution set forth in Exhibit 6 is fair and reasonable.

In view of the foregoing, it is RECOMMENDED that:
1.

The proposed settlement agreement, and the Settlement Agreement and Release

of All Claims, shall be approved.
2.

Plaintiff shall be ordered, immediately after payment of the settlement is

complete, to collect all settlement proceeds from Defendant, to tender the settlement documents
to Defendant, and to execute a Stipulation of Dismissal with Prejudice of all claims against
Defendant.
3.

Plaintiff shall be ordered to acknowledge satisfaction in whole for the settlement

proceeds.
4.

The Court shall approve the proposed distribution set forth in Exhibit 6. Plaintiff

shall be ordered to distribute the net proceeds in accordance with Exhibit 6 and, following said
distribution, to report to the Court that these steps have been accomplished.
5.

Exhibit 6 shall be withdrawn from evidence.

Dated this 6th day of February, 2018, at Jefferson City, Missouri.

Willie J. Epps, Jr.
United States Magistrate Judge