St. Louis Wrongful Death Attorney

wrongful death

Losing a loved one to an untimely death is an incredibly traumatic experience. When your loved one’s death was caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you deserve answers ─ and justice. Although a legal action cannot change what you’ve lost, a wrongful death claim can help you get fair compensation and a measure of accountability.

 

St. Louis Wrongful Death Attorney

With more than 50 years of collective legal experience, the St. Louis wrongful death attorneys of Sumner Law Group, LLC, are ready to help your family during this difficult time. Our firm has a proven track record of securing millions of dollars in wrongful death compensation on behalf of our clients. We will fight tirelessly for justice for your loved one.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation with a knowledgeable St. Louis wrongful death lawyer. We can discuss your family’s claim and explain your legal options.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Missouri?

Missouri wrongful death law specifies categories of people who may file a death claim following an individual’s passing.

People eligible to bring a wrongful death lawsuit include:

  • A surviving spouse, surviving children, surviving grandchildren, or surviving parents can file a claim.
  • If there is no surviving spouse, children, grandchildren, or parents, then a wrongful death lawsuit may be filed by a surviving sibling.
  • If there are no surviving siblings, a lawsuit may be brought by the personal representative of the decedent’s estate.

If the decedent has no estate, the court can appoint a representative to file the claim as requested by those persons who are entitled to share in the proceeds from a successful wrongful death claim.

What Do You Have to Prove in a Wrongful Death Case?

Successfully pursuing a wrongful death case requires you to show that your loved one’s passing was caused by the negligent, reckless, intentional, or willful actions of another party.

Establishing that a party negligently caused your loved one’s death means proving:

  • The at-fault party owed your deceased loved one a duty of care. That could, for example, be the duty owed by a motorist to others on the road or street, or the duty of a store owner to a shopper.
  • The at-fault party breached that duty of care.
  • This breach caused your loved one’s death.
  • Your loved one or your family have suffered damages for which you can be financially compensated.

Proving recklessness requires you to establish that the at-fault party consciously disregarded a substantial risk that his or her actions or omissions would cause serious bodily injury or death. For example, you may be able to show recklessness in the case of a drunk driver with a history of DUI convictions who caused the motor vehicle accident that killed your loved one.

Proving that someone intentionally or willfully caused your family member’s death means you must show that the person intended for his or her actions to cause serious bodily injury or death. For example, you could show an intentional act if your loved one was killed in a violent assault.

In certain instances, you could hold a party strictly liable for your loved one’s passing, regardless of whether that party acted with recklessness or negligence. This most frequently occurs in wrongful death cases arising from defective products. Manufacturers could and should be held accountable for deaths caused by their defective products.

Compensation Available for Injury Victims

A premises liability accident can leave you with serious, potentially life-altering injuries. You may be entitled to seek compensation from the owner of the property or business for these damages:

  • Ongoing and future medical treatment, including ER and hospital bills, surgeries, other medical procedures, doctor’s appointments, physical rehab, prescription medication, and medical or mobility equipment
  • Costs of personal care when your injuries prevent you from performing daily living tasks for yourself, including home health care services and housekeeping services
  • Lost income for the time missed from work while recovering from injuries
  • Lost earning capacity, if you suffer debilitating injuries that prevent you from returning to your pre-injury work
  • Lost quality of life
  • Pain and suffering, or the physical and emotional distress caused by your accident and injuries

Never accept a quick payment from a property owner or insurance company without speaking to a lawyer first. You are likely entitled to much more than they are offering you. Understanding the complexities of a wrongful death settlement can provide closure and justice for grieving families. It is crucial that you understand your legal rights so you can pursue the full compensation you deserve

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in St. Louis

Any accident that can lead to a personal injury can turn into a wrongful death case when the accident results in fatal injuries to a victim. Common accidents that lead to wrongful death claims include:

Compensation in a
Missouri Wrongful Death Claim

A wrongful death claim can help beneficiaries in Missouri recover compensation for these damages and losses:

  • Costs of medical treatment of your loved one’s final illness or injury
  • Conscious pain and suffering experienced by your loved one prior to death
  • Lost wages or income for missed work in the period between the onset of the last injury or illness and the loved one’s passing
  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • The value of income and benefits the deceased would have earned and contributed to the family
  • The loss of your loved one’s services, consortium, companionship, guidance, counsel, and personal support
St. Louis Wrongful Death Attorney
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St. Louis Wrongful Death Attorney

St. Louis Statute of Limitations on Wrongful Death

The Missouri wrongful death statute of limitations typically requires that a lawsuit be filed within three years of the person’s passing. If your family’s wrongful death lawsuit is not filed before this three-year period, the court can dismiss your case. When that happens, you lose the right to seek compensation for your damages and losses in court.

St. Louis Wrongful Death Attorney

How Our Wrongful Death Lawyers Can Help You

When you are grieving the loss of a family member, it can be difficult to find the energy and strength to also pursue a legal claim over your loved one’s death. You need a law firm that you can feel comfortable with and trust to help guide your family through the wrongful death claim process. The St. Louis wrongful death lawyers of Sumner Law Group, LLC, can help your family pursue compensation and justice in a wrongful death case by:

  • Taking the time to get to know you and your family and understand your goals and needs so that we can prepare a legal strategy aimed at securing the outcome your family wants
  • Fully investigating the circumstances of your loved one’s death so that we can identify those parties legally at fault
  • Collaborating with our network of experts to evaluate the evidence and build a strong, persuasive argument in favor of your family’s recovery
  • Filing your family’s claims for compensation with the at-fault parties and their insurers, handling all interactions with insurance adjusters and defense lawyers so that you don’t have to
  • Preparing your case to go to trial, if necessary

Our firm works on a contingency-fee-basis. You can have peace of mind knowing that you have dedicated attorneys in your corner without the need to pay upfront legal fees. You owe us nothing unless and until we win your case.

Do not wait another day to speak with an attorney. Schedule a free consultation with a wrongful death lawyer in St. Louis at Sumner Law Group, LLC.

St. Louis Wrongful Death Attorney