Court records show cost of settlements in Columbus teen’s $25 million amputation lawsuit
It’s costing $1.75 million to settle the $25 million lawsuit resulting from a classroom confrontation five years ago between a Columbus teen and a contracted behavior specialist, according to Muscogee County Probate Court records.
Montravious Thomas, then 13, had his right leg amputated below the knee after Bryant Mosley allegedly “body-slammed” him five times during the physical altercation Sept. 12, 2016, in an alternative school, the Thomas family’s lawyers have said.
In March 2017, Lawanda Thomas filed the lawsuit on behalf of her son against the Muscogee County School District and seven other defendants.
The Ledger-Enquirer reported the news of the settlements last year, but didn’t learn the dollar amounts until now.
Although some of the court records in the case file still are kept confidential, the settlements can be summarized from the publicly available documents.
A Feb. 5 report to the probate court from Montravious’ conservator, Columbus lawyer Steven Ray, discloses the agreements with the three defendants that remained in the case at the time of their settlements.
$1 million from Mentoring Behavioral Services
Mosley worked for MBS when he was assigned to Montravious’ classroom at the alternative school. Here’s a breakdown of the $1 million settlement:
- $400,000 for attorney fees.
- $225,000 as an annuity for Montravious. That means the money is invested and pays him a certain sum yearly or at another regular interval.
- $201,800 for medical expenses.
- $41,917 to Montravious’ mother, Lawanda Thomas.
- $29,779.10 for litigation expenses.
- $2,790 for juvenile court fines.
- $98,713 net to the conservator.
$550,000 from MCSD
- $330,000 as an annuity for Montravious.
- $220,000 for attorney fees.
Mercedes Parham, then MCSD communications director, told the L-E in a February 2020 email, “The Muscogee County School District notes that any settlement would be paid by the insurer for the School District and not from the School District’s funds. The District’s understanding is that the primary incentive for the insurer to resolve this matter is the economic and financial considerations with continuing this protracted litigation.”
Renee Tucker, the attorney representing Montravious and his mother in the case, wasn’t reached for comment before publication.
$225,000 from Mosley
- $90,000 for attorney fees.
- $32,885.55 as an annuity for Montravious.
- $2,114.45 for litigation expenses.
- $100,000 net to the conservator.
Total payout of annuities
The three annuities cumulatively pay Montravious in monthly installments and in lump sums of various amounts, depending on his age, as follows:
- Age 18-40: $2,000 per month
- Age 25: $25,000
- Age 30: $50,000
- Age 35: $75,000
- Age 39: $20,000
- Age 40: $144,450.
More details of settlement with MCSD
In the settlement with MCSD, the probate court order from Judge Marc D’Antonio filed Sept. 24, 2020, requires the terms to be completed within 30 days of the order.
A document attached to the order says MCSD is funding the settlement through USAA Life Insurance Company. It says the total payout over the life of the annuity is guaranteed to be $462,366.56.
The annuity will be paid in monthly installments of $766.54 from March 10, 2021, to Feb. 10, 2043, and in lump sum distributions according to this schedule:
- $25,000 March 10, 2028
- $50,000 March 10, 2033
- $65,000 March 10, 2038
- $120,000 March 10, 2043.
This story was originally published July 7, 2021 at 6:00 AM.
