Oxford Schools Insurance to Pay At Least $5 Million to Each Shooting Victim, Judge Rules

Oxford Schools sued its own insurer after the company said the shooting was one incident, arguing damages to be paid to all shooting victims should be capped at $5 million.

Published: November 15, 2024Author: Amy Rock

Adobe Stock Image by dragonstock

OXFORD, Mich. — A judge ruled each Oxford High School shooting victim can be awarded at least $5 million from the district’s insurance company.

At the time of the 2021 shooting, Oxford Community Schools had a $5 million insurance policy with Michigan-based insurer, SET SEG. The school sued the insurance company after it declared the shooting to be one incident from start to finish, arguing damages to be paid to all shooting victims should be capped at $5 million, Click On Detroit reports.

However, Judge Jacob James Cunningham ruled that every bullet fired by the shooter that caused an injury should be considered a separate incident. Killed in the shooting were Madisyn Baldwin, 17, Tate Myre, 16, Hana St. Juliana, 14, and Justin Shilling, 17. Seven others were injured by gunfire.

“There were 11 different people, of course, that were shot at and hit, and some sadly were killed, others were badly injured. Instead of five million dollars for the whole thing, $5 million times 11 is $55 million worth of coverage policy limits,” said attorney Ven Johnson, who represents the victims’ families. “The insurance company should pay all of that money, and then the families could, between themselves, equitably distribute that share of the money, and at least again have a symbol of justice. Never enough money, would never bring these kids back and make any of these families feel whole.”

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The Oxford Community Schools Board of Education issued a statement on the ruling, saying they are pleased with the outcome.

“The ruling provides clarity on the amount of potential insurance coverage available to the school district and its employees for the underlying lawsuits. We hope that this ruling paves the way for us to soon resolve this matter,” the statement said. “At the end of the day, there are no winners here. Our thoughts remain with all the families impacted by the horrific events of November 30, 2021 and we remain committed to resolving the related legal disputes on behalf of our school community.”

While the payout could go as high as $150 million since the student gunman fired his weapon 33 times, Johnson said it could take years for anyone to get the money and that the insurer is likely to appeal the ruling, according to WILX.

Johnson also said he’s been working to ensure the school district takes responsibility for the shooting. Administrators failed to check the teen’s backpack or remove him from the school after his parents were brought in on the morning of the shooting to discuss his concerning and escalating behavior.

The shooter plead guilty in 2022 to all charges against him, including first-degree murder and terrorism charges. Both of his parents were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for giving their son the gun he used in the shooting despite knowing he was struggling emotionally. They were each sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison back in April.