A Missouri woman has filed a lawsuit after being seriously injured in a roof collapse at a Family Dollar store in Kansas City. The incident, which also claimed the life of a 58-year-old man, has raised serious questions about the building’s safety and maintenance.
Woman Alleges Negligence After Tragic Roof Collapse
Tammy Martin, who was shopping inside the Family Dollar on July 27, says she was crushed by falling debris when the roof suddenly gave way.
She filed a lawsuit on Friday against Family Dollar Stores of Missouri, Family Dollar, Inc., and Arthur Fels Company—the property owner—claiming their failure to maintain the building led to the tragic event.
Victim Claims Life-Changing Injuries
According to the lawsuit, the collapse caused “severe and permanent injuries” to Martin’s entire body, including her head, neck, back, spine, pelvis, arms, hands, and legs. She is seeking more than $25,000 in damages, saying that the store was unsafe and that the danger was ignored for years.
Previous Damage Blamed for Structural Failure
The root of the issue, according to Martin’s lawyers, goes back to a 2016 car crash. That accident reportedly knocked out a support pillar in front of the building—a critical part of the store’s structure. Despite being made aware of the damage, the property owners allegedly never repaired the pillar.
Warnings Ignored Before Collapse
Before the fatal collapse, employees and others reportedly noticed that the roof “looked like it was going to fall.” The lawsuit says the store’s condition should have been inspected and fixed long ago, and that it was “not reasonably safe” for customers or workers.
A city violation report filed just two days before the collapse warned that the building was slowly tilting, raising further concerns about possible negligence by the store and property owners.
Man Killed, Others Injured in the Incident
The collapse also killed a 58-year-old man and injured several others inside the store. Investigations by the Kansas City Police Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are still ongoing.
Tammy Martin’s lawyer, James Stigall, said the incident was clearly avoidable and that both the store and the property owner failed in their duty to protect the public.
This heartbreaking incident at a Family Dollar store in Kansas City has resulted in a wrongful death and life-altering injuries. The lawsuit filed by Tammy Martin highlights what she believes was a preventable tragedy caused by years of neglect.
With investigations still ongoing, the case has sparked wider discussions on building safety, business accountability, and the responsibilities of property owners. As more facts come to light, those involved may face further legal and public scrutiny.
