Judge rules that Oxford school insurance must pay up to $55 million for families of shooting victims

Oakland County judge rules in Oxford shooting case

Ven Johnson, the families’ attorney, says the payout could exceed $55 million. He has fought to have Oxford High School take responsibility for the attack for failing to check the gunman’s backpack and for failing to remove this clearly disturbed student from the school.

OXFORD, MI (FOX 2) – Years after four students died and several others were injured, the Oxford High School shooting remains a difficult topic for residents to talk about.

Three years later, a court finally ruled against the schools’ insurance company, holding them responsible for paying out the victims.

“We have argued from day one that when SET SEG, the insurance company for Oxford Community Schools, claimed we only had a $5 million insurance policy,” said attorney Ven Johnson. “We said nonsense.”

Lawyers for the school argued that the victims were all separate events.

“There were obviously 11 different people who were shot and hit, and some were unfortunately killed, others were seriously injured,” he said. “Instead of $5 million for the whole, $5 million times 11 is $55 million in coverage policy limits.”

Ven Johnson represents the victims’ families. He says the payout could be higher than that. He caused the Oxford School District to take responsibility for the shooting, failing to check the shooter’s backpack and removing the student from the school.

The students killed that day include Tate Myre, Madisyn Baldwin, Hana St. Juliana and Justin Shilling.

“The insurance company should come out and pay these people and bring them a symbol,” Johnson said. “A little symbol of justice.”

Johnson says the insurance company will likely appeal. The shooter pleaded guilty and both his parents were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for their role in purchasing the gun for their son.

Although all three were convicted in the high-profile case, other lawsuits remain, such as the one involving the insurance company.

“I’m now before the Supreme Court on government immunity here in Michigan,” Johnson said. “In the federal case, we are in Cincinnati in the Sixth Court of Appeals – which is one level below the Supreme Court of the United States.”

Johnson says there are at least three different appeals, which he says isn’t the kind of closure the families want. But this statement counts as a small victory.

“Fortunately, this has taken a positive turn. Again, it’s a long way to go, but it feels – it’s a substantial victory,” he said.