Jackson County Jury Finds For Price Chopper on Claims for Battery and False Imprisonment

Plaintiff, age 54, was shopping at Price Chopper in Independence, Missouri when loss prevention officers observed plaintiff on surveillance video attempting to leave the store with unpaid merchandise in her bag. The loss prevention officers stopped and detained plaintiff. While being detained, the loss prevention officers recovered the merchandise and searched plaintiff's purse. Plaintiff was handcuffed and then attempted to flee from the loss prevention office and defendant's loss prevention officers leg swept plaintiff to prevent her from fleeing. Price Chopper charged plaintiff with shoplifting but plaintiff was acquitted of the charge in municipal court. Plaintiff sued Price Chopper for Assault, Battery, Invasion of Privacy, False Imprisonment, Malicious Prosecution, Negligent Supervision, and sought punitive damages. At trial, plaintiff submitted two counts to the jury -- battery and false imprisonment. Plaintiff asked for $65,000 in compensatory damages and $250,000 in punitive damages. The jury returned a verdict for Price Chopper on both counts. John Schultz and Niki Skaggs represented Price Chopper. Case No. 1016-CV31675.