What We Handle
Active Shooter Incident
After a mass shooting or security failure.
What active shooter incident actually means
An active shooter civil case may arise when someone is injured or killed in a shooting and there is evidence that a business, property owner, security company, school, event organizer, or other institution failed to take reasonable safety steps.
Not every shooting leads to a civil claim. But if there were known risks, ignored warnings, poor security, or preventable failures, there may be a case worth examining.
What it takes to have a case
1. Duty
A property owner or responsible organization had a duty to use reasonable care under the circumstances.
2. Breach
That duty was broken by failing to address known threats, provide reasonable security, or respond appropriately to warning signs.
3. Causation
That failure contributed to the injuries or deaths that followed.
4. Damages
Victims and families suffered physical injury, trauma, medical costs, lost income, or wrongful death losses.
What we handle within active shooter incident
Every situation is different. Here are the most common types we see.
Negligent Security Claims
Security failures at businesses, venues, schools, apartments, or public spaces.
Ignored Warning Signs
Known threats were not taken seriously.
Emergency Response Failures
Policies, staffing, or planning were inadequate.
Wrongful Death Cases
Families lost a loved one because of preventable failures.
Missouri vs. Kansas: the rules that matter
Kansas City straddles the state line. Which state's law applies depends on where the incident occurred.
Missouri
- •Statute of limitations: 5 years for negligence — RSMo § 516.120
- •Wrongful death: 3 years — RSMo § 537.100
- •Pure comparative fault — RSMo § 537.765
- •Negligent security claims evaluated under premises liability standards
Kansas
- •Statute of limitations: 2 years — KSA § 60-513
- •Wrongful death: 2 years — KSA § 60-513(a)(5)
- •Modified comparative fault — 50% bar — KSA § 60-258a
Not sure which state's rules apply? Tell us where it happened →
What an investigation looks like
Initial conversation — We talk through what happened and who may have been involved.
Evidence review — Police reports, incident records, security footage, prior complaints, and site policies.
Liability analysis — We assess whether a third party failed to take reasonable safety measures.
Damages review — We document physical injuries, trauma care, lost income, and family losses.
Demand or filing — If the facts support it, we move forward.
Resolution — Settlement or litigation.
What it costs
Yonke Law works on a contingency basis. There is no fee unless we recover compensation for you. The percentage is agreed in writing before any work begins. Your initial consultation is always free. No hourly rates. No retainers. No surprise bills.
What a active shooter incident case is actually worth
There's no honest one-line answer. Value depends on the facts of your situation.
Economic Damages
- •Medical and trauma care expenses
- •Lost wages and earning capacity
- •Funeral and burial costs
- •Ongoing counseling and therapy
Non-Economic Damages
- •Pain and suffering
- •Post-traumatic stress
- •Loss of enjoyment of life
- •Loss of companionship (wrongful death)
A consultation gives you a real assessment based on your situation — not a stock answer.
Who You'll Work With
Michael T. Yonke
AV Preeminent rated. Experienced in negligent security, premises liability, and catastrophic injury litigation.
Mike founded Yonke Law in 2001 after years of seeing how large firms treated the people they were supposed to protect. Every case at Yonke Law is handled directly by Mike and his team — not passed to associates or outsourced to contract attorneys.
When it comes to active shooter incident, Mike brings decades of focused trial experience, a network of trusted medical and technical experts, and a straightforward approach: understand the facts, build the case, and prepare for trial even if the goal is settlement.
More about Mike and the team →Common questions
Is the shooter the only person who can be responsible?
Not always. In some cases, other parties may share responsibility for preventable security failures.
Can family members bring claims too?
In wrongful death cases, certain family members may have legal rights under Missouri (RSMo § 537.080) or Kansas (KSA § 60-1902) law.
What if the shooting happened at a school or government building?
Claims against government entities involve special rules and shorter deadlines. Legal counsel should be engaged immediately.
Printable
Personal Injury Checklist
Essential steps to protect your health, your rights, and your claim. Covers what to gather, who to contact, and the deadlines that matter for your active shooter incident case.
Download the checklist (PDF) ↓Or — Walk Through It Digitally
Start Your Case Review
Answer a few questions about your situation. Your responses are saved and become the start of your case file if you proceed.
Start the digital intake →Ready to talk about your active shooter incident case?
Free consultation. No fee unless we recover.
