St. Louis Wrongful Death Lawyer

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Table Of Contents

    Why Choose Our Firm?

    • Our clients are our priority, and you deserve a trusted and skilled attorney to guide you through this devastating time.
    • We make it a point to maintain open communication with our clients and will ensure your case is given the undivided attention it deserves.
    • Our St. Louis personal injury lawyers accept wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, which means we do not get paid unless you do.

    How We Can Help After the Wrongful Death

    Coping with the unexpected loss of a loved one is difficult enough without having to worry about your financial future or pursuing legal action. Although no amount of money could ever compensate you for your loss, a wrongful death lawyer can help you get justice for your loved one. We will have you and your family’s best interests in mind and will fight on your behalf to hold the wrongful party accountable. You can trust us to advise you on your rights, what options may be available to you, and what steps you should take to seek the compensation you’re entitled to by law.

    Dealing with an insurance company on your own can be tiresome and puts you at risk of being taken advantage of. Our wrongful death attorney will handle all communications and negotiations for you so you will have peace of mind knowing your case is being handled and moving forward. We also have the resources to perform a thorough investigation into the accident involving your loved one to gather the evidence needed to prove your claim. With our comprehensive understanding of the laws applicable to wrongful death cases and having frequently worked with insurance companies, we will strive to negotiate a fair settlement and ensure the compensation you recover accurately reflects your losses.

    St. Louis wrongful death lawyer

    Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Missouri?

    Missouri law limits the persons who may file a wrongful death lawsuit to the following in this order: 

    • The surviving spouse or children.
    • The deceased’s parents. 
    • Surviving siblings as long as there is no surviving spouse, children (or their descendants)
    • The personal representative of the deceased’s estate. 
    • Plaintiff ad litem, if there is no personal representative and an heir requests one be appointed.

    Only one wrongful death claim can be filed against a defendant. If you are unrelated to the deceased, you still may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim if appointed, but the proceeds of any awards will go to those entitled to them by law.

    What Is My Wrongful Death Accident Case Worth?

    The value of a wrongful death case varies dramatically depending on the underlying facts. Settlements can often range anywhere from $500,000 to several million, but these figures are only examples. Many factors are considered when estimating the value of a wrongful death case, including the deceased’s:

    • Age, habits, and occupation.
    • Health prior to the accident. 
    • Number of years they would have been expected to work.
    • Income, benefits, and potential for raises and promotions.
    • Earning potential (e.g., education, skills, abilities).
    • Inflation
    • Retirement account contributions and benefits the decedent would have received had they lived. 
    • Needs of surviving dependents. 
    • Reduction in the inheritance suffered by surviving children;
    • The type and severity of the accident.
    • Death was caused by a defendant (at-fault party) who acted egregiously or with intent. 

    These factors can either increase or decrease a family’s potential settlement. For example—a wrongful death case filed for the loss of an elderly family member who does not have a surviving spouse or children and was partially at fault for the accident would have a lower value compared to a deceased victim in their 20s survived by a spouse and three young children, who did not contribute to the accident. 

    Whether your loved one was partially responsible for the accident can also have a significant bearing on a wrongful death case’s worth. Under Missouri’s pure comparative fault law, a victim’s percentage of fault will reduce a settlement or award. For example, if a surviving spouse is awarded $500,000, but the victim was 40 percent to blame, the spouse will only receive 60 percent of the award, or $300,000. 

    What Kind of Damages Are Available for Wrongful Death in St. Louis?

    In a successful wrongful death lawsuit, damages will be awarded. Damages is the legal term for the compensation meant to reimburse the surviving family members for their losses. There are two types of damages typically available in wrongful death claims: economic damages for monetary losses and non-economic damages for subjective losses. The damages awarded will vary based on the circumstances of each case but can include: 

    • Medical bills caused by the accident which led to the death;
    • Funeral, cremation, or burial expenses;
    • Loss of the victim’s expected income; 
    • Loss of benefits;
    • Estate administration expenses;
    • The surviving children’s reduction in inheritance; 
    • Loss of parental guidance;
    • Loss of support and services that the deceased provided;
    • Loss of companionship, comfort, society, guidance, and advice;
    • Compensation for the deceased’s conscious pain and suffering endured due to their injuries before their death; and,
    • Interest is calculated from the date of death and added on top of the damages award. 

    Punitive damages may also be awarded depending on the defendant’s degree of negligence. However, this type of compensation is reserved for cases involving an at-fault party who behaved with an extreme disregard for the safety of others. Unlike other types of compensation, punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant. 

    How Do I Prove Negligence in a Wrongful Death Case in St. Louis, Missouri?

    To bring a successful wrongful death lawsuit and recover damages requires demonstrating the defendant’s negligence was responsible for your loved one’s death. That involves establishing the following elements:

    Duty of Care

    The defendant owed the deceased a duty of care. For example, in a wrongful death case involving a car accident, truck accident, or motorcycle accident, drivers owe others on the road a duty to obey traffic laws.

    Breach of Duty

    The defendant violated their duty by failing to act with the same level of care that a reasonable person would in a similar situation. For instance, if a driver who caused an accident was texting while driving or was under the influence of alcohol.

    Causation

    The defendant’s breach of duty directly caused your loved one’s death. In other words, the death would not have occurred if not for the defendant’s actions. 

    Damages

    The surviving family suffered financial and/or personal losses related to their loved one’s death. 

    Depending on the circumstances of the case, causation can be a particularly challenging element to prove and is often disputed. The defendant will often try to shift the blame for the victim’s death onto the deceased or another party. To prove liability will require gathering extensive evidence, such as:

    • Copies of police reports and accident reports. 
    • Records of an arrest or citation administered in relation to the accident. 
    • Copies of medical records and any bills related to the deceased’s accident. 
    • Photos and videos of the scene and accident, if available. 
    • Cell phone records if applicable.
    • Product, vehicle, or property maintenance records if appropriate.
    • Interviewing any eyewitnesses. 
    • Hiring an accident reconstruction expert to prove which party is liable. 
    • Hiring expert witnesses to show the resulting financial losses
    • Testimony as to how you and your family’s lives have been negatively impacted by your loss.

    If the defendant was arrested or is facing criminal charges in relation to the accident that caused your loved one’s death, it can dramatically strengthen your wrongful death claim. 

    How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Missouri?

    Each state has its own law that dictates how long surviving family members have to bring a wrongful death claim, known as the statute of limitations. In Missouri, the law allows you to bring a claim within three years of a loved one’s death. If you fail to file a lawsuit before this deadline, your claim will likely be dismissed by the judge, and the negligent party will not have to pay for your losses.

    Speak to a St. Louis Wrongful Death Attorney Today

    Although three years may seem like a long time, it is often better to speak to a wrongful death attorney and start the process right away. As soon as you hire a lawyer, they will begin collecting critical evidence of fault before it disappears and witnesses’ memories fade. The sooner you build a case, the higher your chances of getting justice and the compensation your family deserves. 

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