No damages awarded in AMC personal injury trial

A Jackson County jury on Wednesday found no negligence on the part of AMC Entertainment in a personal injury trial.

Karen Sims of Independence sued the company last year.

She claimed that after seeing the film “A Madea Christmas” at the AMC Independence Commons 20 in December 2013, she tripped and fell while leaving a theater with inadequate lighting. She said she suffered “permanent, progressive and disabling” injuries to her left foot and knee.

John Franke, a lawyer representing AMC, said Sims’ lawyer had not met the burden of proof, adding that Sims and her family had not exhibited ordinary care when leaving the theater.

“What would an ordinarily careful person do?” Franke asked. “I would sit and wait for five minutes. They didn’t even wait until the credits were running.”

James Montee, representing Sims, said he couldn’t understand why AMC, based in Leawood, did not send many company representatives to testify.

“They are too busy?” Montee asked. “They didn’t want to come out here and be embarrassed?”

After the trial, Sims said she had no problem with the verdict.

“Twelve of my peers made a decision,” she said. “That’s fair.”

Brian Burnes, bburnes@kcstar.com

This story was originally published April 29, 2015 at 6:00 PM with the headline "No damages awarded in AMC personal injury trial."