Family of Megan Cramer settles wrongful-death lawsuit from JJ’s blast
As the new JJ’s restaurant opens for business Wednesday, more than a dozen lawsuits filed in the wake of the 2013 blast that destroyed its former location slowly head toward trial dates.
But not the wrongful-death case of waitress Megan Cramer.
That suit was dismissed in August, court records show, after Cramer’s parents settled with all the defendants.
Details were not available Tuesday. Carter and Genevieve Cramer did not reply to a request for comment, and neither did their lawyer.
Settlement amounts in such cases are often not disclosed.
The suit in Jackson County named as defendants Missouri Gas Energy, Time Warner Cable Midwest, USIC Locating Services Inc., Southern Union Co., Heartland Midwest LLC and a Heartland employee.
Megan Cramer 46, was the only one to die in the natural-gas explosion and fire that destroyed the restaurant at 910 W. 48th St. on Feb. 19, 2013.
A crew from Heartland Midwest mistakenly punctured a gas line outside the restaurant while laying conduit for Time Warner.
The Missouri Public Service Commission said in the final report of its investigation that incorrect utility markings led the Heartland crew to put its drill at the same depth as the gas line.
Roughly an hour after the accident was reported, the restaurant exploded when the fumes inside ignited from what the Kansas City Fire Department surmised was the flame of a pilot light.
At least one other lawsuit has been dismissed, that of JJ’s sous chef Patrick Woodward, who was injured that night.
His attorney could not be reached Tuesday, but the court record shows it was dismissed last month on agreement of all parties, indicating a possible settlement was reached.
Attorneys on both sides of the other lawsuits continue to meet a couple of times a month to take depositions. About 100 witnesses have given testimony so far and an additional 50 to 75 remain in the queue, said attorney Brad Russell, who represents Heartland Midwest.
JJ’s plans to reopen for dinner Wednesday at its new location, 900 W. 48th Place, which is less than a block from its former home of 27 years.
To reach Mike Hendricks, call 816-234-4738 or send email to mhendricks@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published November 11, 2014 at 5:32 PM with the headline "Family of Megan Cramer settles wrongful-death lawsuit from JJ’s blast."