Client Results
We hold institutions accountable. Here's what that looks like.
McGonagle Johnson has secured multiple seven-figure outcomes for survivors of abuse, catastrophic injury, and civil rights violations across Missouri. While many settlements are confidential, the impact is not.
Church & School Abuse
Holding institutions accountable for the abuse of children.
We have secured multiple seven-figure confidential settlements for survivors who, as young people, were subjected to systematic abuse, coercion, humiliation, and exploitation under the guise of religious or educational authority.
These cases span religious ministries, boarding schools, residential programs, and similar institutional settings across Missouri. Every case is handled with absolute discretion — and every outcome reflects our commitment to real, lasting accountability for the institutions that failed them.
Settlement amounts are confidential by mutual agreement. Results vary by case.
Foster Care Neglect & Abuse
When the system fails the children it's meant to protect.
Foster care agencies bear a heightened duty of care. When they ignore warnings, cut corners, or place children in unsafe conditions, we hold them responsible.
Confidential Settlement
Repeated sexual abuse — agency ignored therapist's warnings
A child was abused multiple times by her foster father. The agency had been explicitly warned by the child's court-appointed therapist that grooming was occurring and took no action.
Confidential Settlement
Catastrophic brain injury — fentanyl overdose, no intake screening
A residential program failed to screen residents for drugs at intake. A youth overdosed on fentanyl from another resident's belongings, sustaining permanent brain damage.
Confidential Settlement
Death — medically fragile teen denied safe placement
A teenager with a known history of running away was housed on a cot in an agency office rather than placed in a secure facility. After multiple escapes involving assault and hospitalization, she was found deceased.
Settlement amounts are confidential by mutual agreement. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Death & Catastrophic Injury
When negligence changes everything.
We represent individuals and families whose lives were permanently altered by the carelessness of property owners, drivers, and corporations across Missouri.
Confidential Settlement
Quadriplegia — rear-end collision with semi-truck
A man's stopped vehicle was struck at highway speed by a semi-truck, leaving him permanently paralyzed.
Confidential Settlement
Paralysis — head-on collision, distracted driver
A driver was paralyzed when an oncoming motorist crossed the center line.
Policy Limits — Bodily Injury & UIM
Below-knee amputation — motorcyclist struck by red-light runner
Full insurance recovery after a car ran a red light and struck the motorcyclist broadside.
Confidential Settlement
Total hip replacement — slip and fall, office building
A woman developed avascular necrosis after slipping on a wet floor. The building had a documented history of similar falls and no slip-resistant measures in place.
Confidential Settlement
Knee and hip replacement — ice fall, apartment complex
The complex sought dismissal based on lease language; the court ruled it had assumed a duty to maintain safe common areas.
Confidential Settlement
Shoulder surgery — trip and fall, retail store
An elderly woman fell on packing straps left by employees. Surveillance showed staff discarding the straps while she was being treated by EMTs.
Settlement amounts are confidential by mutual agreement. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Civil Rights Violations
Justice for discrimination, harassment, and abuse of power.
We pursue claims against employers, retailers, schools, and other actors whose conduct violated our clients' civil rights. All cases below reached confidential settlements.
Confidential Settlement
Physical assault during unlawful repossession attempt
An African-American woman was beaten by loan company employees at her home, in front of her children — while current on her payments.
Confidential Settlement
Racial profiling, false arrest, and physical injury
A store's negligent hiring of a security guard — a former officer dismissed for abuse of power — led to the false arrest and injury of an African-American customer.
Confidential Settlement
Denial of special education services — IDEA violation
African-American students were denied legally required services after a principal made racially motivated threats to the responsible teacher.
Confidential Settlement
Wrongful termination following pay discrimination complaint
An African-American employee was fired after reporting a salary disparity between herself and white male colleagues in the same role.
Confidential Settlement
Sexual assault of student by known-risk peer
A school failed to act on a student's documented history of aggression, enabling the assault of a younger classmate.
Confidential Settlement
Sexual coercion through immigration threats
A manager threatened a Romanian employee with deportation unless she submitted to sexual acts during business travel.
Settlement amounts are confidential by mutual agreement. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.