Jana has developed an expertise in defending medical negligence and complex product liability cases since 1990. She has tried multiple medical negligence cases to defense verdicts and many other cases involving significant personal injuries from allegedly defective products and trucking accidents. Jana has maintained relationships with her clients for many years and continues to represent some of the same insurance companies over the last 25 years due to a commitment to those clients and their best interests.
Missouri, 1990
Kansas, 1990
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
Kansas Bar Association
The Missouri Bar
American Bar Association
Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
Association for Women Lawyers of Greater Kansas City
Former Chairman, ABA subcommittee on Public and School Officials Liability
Martindale-Hubbell AV Rated
“Defending Psychological Damages,” 13th Annual Medical Device Seminar, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Co-author “The Kansas Tort Claims Act”
“Wrongful Termination,” Kansas Association of Counties Annual Seminar, 1994
“Trial Preparation,” Kansas Paralegal Association
J.D., University of Kansas, 1990
B.A., University of Kansas, 1987
Venue: Jackson County, Missouri
Jana Richards obtained a defense verdict for the Defendants in this medical malpractice action, the trial for which lasted two weeks. Plaintiff claimed that she was given incorrectly provided blood thinner medication that caused her lungs to shut down. The defense successfully argued that the standard of care was never breached, and the doctor at issue acted appropriately under the circumstances.
Venue: Pettis County, Missouri
Jana Richards obtained a defense verdict over Plaintiffs’ $5,000,000 in claimed damages. Plaintiffs, decedent’s surviving wife and daughters, claimed that a truck driver for universal Am-Can, Ltd., negligently backed a tractor trailer into the dock at the Hayes-Lemmerz facility in Sedalia, Missouri when the decedent was standing behind it. Missouri Lawyer’s Weekly voted this verdict to be the 8th top defense verdict in the state of Missouri for 2011.
Missouri Lawyer’s Weekly voted this verdict to be the 8th top defense verdict in the state of Missouri for 2011. Trial: Defense Verdict. 2011
Venue: Jackson County, Missouri
Jana Richards obtained a successful defense verdict for Dr. Herrick, a urologist who surgically treated Plaintiff for kidney stones. Plaintiffs alleged wrongful death. Plaintiffs sought damages in excess of $1 million. After one mistrial and numerous delays, the jury found in favor of Dr. Herrick and awarded the Plaintiff zero damages.
Venue: Jackson County, Missouri
Jana Richards obtained a successful defense verdict for Dr. Spratt, a family practioner who care for Plaintiff during her pregnancy. Plaintiffs claim that Dr. Spratt should have provided prenatal counseling regarding use of folic acid prior to trying to achieve pregnancy, even though no prenatal counseling appointment was ever scheduled by the mother. Baby Anderson was born with spinal bifida and the Plaintiffs sought damages at in excess of $5 million. At the trial of this matter, the jury found in favor of Dr. Spratt and awarded the Plantiffs zero damages.
Venue: Buchanan County, Missouri
Jana Richards helped obtained a successful defense verdict for a radiologist, where patient filed suit against local radiologist alleging failure to diagnose a cervical fracture following a slip and fall event. Approximately two weeks after the fall, the patient began suffering mental status changes and severe pain. The neck fracture was subsequently diagnosed and the patient underwent cervical fusion. Because of his elderly condition, the patient required extensive hospitalization and rehabilitative care. Patient claimed that an earlier diagnosis of the fracture would have mitigated or prevented much of his subsequent course of treatment. Plaintiff sought damages at trial in excess of $350,000. After a week-long trial, the jury found in favor of the radiologist and awarded the patient zero damages.
Venue: Jasper County, Missouri at Joplin
Jana Richards obtained a successful defense verdict for the City of Sarcoxie where plaintiff alleged wrongful death resulting from a fall into a City ditch, causing brain hemorrhage and death. Plaintiffs sought damages at trial of $400,000. After a one week trial, the jury found in favor of the Defendants and awarded Plaintiffs zero damages – a complete defense verdict.
Jana Richards and Brian Burge obtained a successful defense verdict for an emergency room physician, where a patient filed suit against Dr. Gokhale alleging failure to diagnose brian aneurysm in the emergency room. Plaintiff sought damages at trial of $9.1 million dollars. After a two week trial, the jury found in favor of Dr. Gokhale and awarded Plaintiff zero damages – a complete defense verdict.