Scott Shachtman, Attorney

LEGAL EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Scott Shachtman has been in the Legal Profession for over 10 years.  Scott spends all of his time fighting for the rights of men, women and children who have been seriously injured. 

Scott began his legal career by learning everything he could about the insurance industry and defending lawsuits.  He uses his knowledge of the insurance industry and defense practice to protect you and your families against negligent, reckless and irresponsible corporations and individuals.  

Scott graduated with honors earning a bachelor's of science degree in psychology from the University of Kansas and a law degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

Scott is in tune with the strategies used by defense lawyers, insurance companies and corporations, and is able to use this knowledge to protect your rights.  With a wealth of experience representing Plaintiffs and Defendants, Scott is able to objectively review and analyze your case to assure that all of your legal claims are asserted in the best possible way.  The defenses that may be raised by the insurance company and/or corporate defendant are also considered and analyzed so that we are best able to advance your position.

SCOTT'S PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Scott is an aggressive, persistent and hardworking advocate, who will always keep your interests central to his legal strategy.  Aside from being a fierce advocate, Scott is also very personable, warm and caring. 

Scott enjoys getting to know as much as he can about each and every client.  He believes that one of the best ways to get to know a client is to visit his or her home.  This helps him best understand who you are, what you have been through, and how to get you the compensation that is necessary to fix what can be fixed, help what can be helped and take into account the things that can not be fixed or helped. 

CASE HIGHLIGHTS

In 2002, a roofer came into contact with a power line that was located too close to the home that he was roofing.  A 7500-volt electrical shock went into the roofer's hand and came out of his leg causing him to lose his balance and fall nearly 20 feet to the ground.  Although the roofer never walked again, we were able to bring some justice into his life.  Throughout the course of a one-year legal battle, we discovered that the power company had misplaced a key piece of evidence and argued that its power line failed to meet the applicable codes and governmental standards.  In the end, the roofer's case was settled for a confidential amount of money that was intended to help him live as meaningful of a life as he could as a paraplegic.

In 1999, a paralympic world champion athlete stopped in at a local motel in Grain Valley, Missouri.  He was given a handicap accessible room that did not have a bench in the shower.  After requesting a bench for the shower, he was provided with a plastic pool chair.  Although the first few minutes of our client's shower went smoothly, ultimately, the plastic chair gave way and he violently fell to the floor causing a compression fracture in his neck.  Our client's paralympic career came to a hault and his life was forever changed.  During the course of his litigation, we discovered that the architectural plans for the hotel at issue showed a built in shower bench.  Although the hotel was mandated by law to have such a shower bench installed, it was never done.  Ultimately, our client's case was resolved and he underwent surgery to fix his fractured neck.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY

Scott is a sustaining member of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association (KCMBA).  He is slated to be the Chair of the Public Service Committee of the Young Lawyers Section of the KCMBA.  Last year the Public Service Committee sponsored the Ask a Lawyer program seen on Channel 41, a barbecue for the Sherwood Center, and a number of other programs designed to help enrich our community.

Scott is an Advocate with the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA) and a member of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys.  Scott has also attended ATLA's Trial Advocacy Colleges in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Scott has spoken on behalf of  the National Business Institute to a number of lawyers on Achieving Favorable Personal Injury Settlements in Kansas and Missouri.  He also assists the KCMBA in planning a seminar each year called A View from the Bench, where a number of local Judges, Court Clerks and Lawyers come together to discuss handling law suits in Jackson County, Missouri and Wyandotte and Johnson County, Kansas.     

PERSONAL LIFE

A native of Chicago, Scott has chosen to make Kansas City his home.  Besides his passion for law, Scott is a family man at heart.  He enjoys spending time with his wife, Heather, and is very active in the lives of his two young daughters, Talia and Isabelle.  More than anything Scott loves to play with Talia and Isabelle and spend quality time with his wonderful wife, Heather.