Cooper Elliott recently shared the resolution of a case that demonstrates the profound power of civil law to achieve more than financial compensation. It can create lasting, non-economic change rooted in community and safety.
In January 2024, 87-year-old Beverly Kinney, a beloved retired Princeton City Schools teacher, was tragically killed by a Metro bus while crossing Duck Creek Road near Dana Avenue in Cincinnati. Her family filed a wrongful death lawsuit last year, seeking not only accountability but also a way to build something positive that reflected her life’s work, asking, “What have you done to make the world a better place?”
The $10 million settlement was announced publicly last week at a press conference. But more important than the financial terms are the reforms that were won through this process. These are changes that cannot be purchased. They must be demanded, negotiated, and secured through civil litigation:
- Reimagined safety training: Metro must hire an independent auditor, require supervisory sign-off on problematic trainee evaluations, and, beginning in 2026, launch annual in-person turn-procedure training that incorporates footage of the crash and testimonials from the Kinney family.
- Transparency and technology: SORTA will seek federal funding to install driver-facing cameras across its fleet, publish safety data for at least five years, and display QR codes and a hotline for rider feedback on every bus.
- Philanthropic momentum: Bus-side advertising will be donated for three years to nonprofits endorsed by the Kinney estate. The settlement also funds the Beverly Seeman Kinney Fund at the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, creating a permanent source of support for causes Beverly cared deeply about, including social justice, education, the arts, and human services.
“These reforms are unprecedented,” said Kaela King of Cooper Elliott. “They reflect a shift in how we think about public safety—not just through physical changes, but through accountability, transparency, and engaging the community in lasting ways.”
For a free legal consultation, call (614) 481-6000
This case serves as a reminder of what civil lawsuits can achieve. They can secure meaningful reforms that improve public safety and transform private grief into a public benefit. In this case, the result is a living legacy that will help protect lives, inspire change, and carry forward the values that defined Beverly Kinney.
Call or text (614) 481-6000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
