Kansas City Wrongful Death Attorneys
The loss of a loved one is often the hardest and most painful thing a family has to endure, and the emotional pain and suffering remains long after. A death that occurred because of negligence, whether due to another person or a defective product, makes the entire situation all the more severe.
Nothing can bring a loved one back, but the suffering you’ve had to experience, knowing full well that this suffering could have been avoided, deserves some form of compensation. In other words, those that caused a wrongful death need to be held responsible, for you as well as other victims of negligent action.
Damages in Wrongful Death Cases
Holding someone responsible for a wrongful death is not only right, but it is also lawful. According to Missouri’s wrongful death statute, RSMo 537.090, surviving members of the decendent are entitled to the following:
- Medical, doctor, and hospital bills incurred prior to death
- Funeral expenses and services
- Compensation for the reasonable value of the services, consortium, companionship, comfort, instruction, guidance, counsel, training, and support associated with the death
- Compensation for the suffering the deceased experienced between injury and death
At The Popham Law Firm in Kansas City, our personal injury attorneys seek to give families full compensation for these losses and for suffering. It is important to note, however, that wrongful death cases can be extremely complicated, but as the Popham attorneys are armed with years of experience, we are confident that we can build a strong case to give you the financial compensation you deserve.
Definition of Wrongful Death in Missouri
Pursuing a wrongful death case is not revenge. Missouri law is on your side. According to Chapter 537 of Missouri’s Torts and Actions for Damages statues, RSMo 537.080.1, wrongful death results from an act, conduct, occurrence, transaction, or circumstance which, if death had not ensued, would have entitled the deceased to negligence damages from the liable person, party, or corporation.
Furthermore, the proper parties who may bring a wrongful death lawsuit include:
- Spouse, children, or the surviving lineal descendants of any deceased children, natural or adopted, legitimate or illegitimate
- Brother or sister of the deceased, who can establish his or her right to the damages
- If there are no persons entitled to bring action, the plaintiff can file suit ad litem.
The statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death case against a liable party in Missouri is 3 years after the date of the decedent’s death.
Liability
One of the first, and arguably the most important aspects of a wrongful death lawsuit is proving that another person, party, or corporation was negligent and caused an otherwise avoidable death. It is during this step that you need a competent, experienced personal injury lawyer who can gather the right documents, interview medical professionals (both on the scene and other trusted professionals who can provide testimony), call witnesses, and fully understand insurance coverage and common problems associated with insurance.
Additionally, working with a Missouri personal injury attorney can help determine the degree of fault. Missouri law states that compensation is entitled even when the fault is minimal, but accurately determining the degree of fault greatly improves your chances for a more suitable award that fully covers damages.
What a Kansas City Personal Injury Attorney Can Do For You
The personal injury lawyers at Popham Law have built a reputation for being some of Missouri’s most trusted legal advocates. We handle cases on a contingency basis, which means that in a wrongful death case, you won’t have to pay any lawyer fees until you get the compensation you deserve.
With years representing individuals who wrongfully lost a loved one, we have found that no two cases are alike. Therefore, our litigation strategy is based on individual attention to your interests and the deceased’s rights. Aggressive, yet professional litigation tactics then put your concerns at the front of the case.
We’ll leave no stones unturned, and our vast resources ensure outside help, such as a doctor who can show proper treatments and how malpractice caused death, for example. For auto accidents, we will gather witnesses from the scene of the crime who can testify that the other party’s negligence caused death. Police reports, medical reports, accurate calculations so that you can get an honest compensation – these are just a few of the tactics we take when we decide upon your case.
Contact the Top Personal Injury Attorney in Kansas City
Wrongful death stands as one of the worst situations you might have to experience. During this troubling time, it is important to grieve and focus on yourself and your family. What you don’t need is the extra stress caused by the knowledge that someone’s negligence caused the death of a loved one.
Therefore, you focus on you. A Kansas City personal injury attorney from Popham Law will focus on the rest.
Contact our Kansas City law office today at (816) 221-2288, or feel free to visit our downtown office.
Contact the Top Wrongful Death Attorneys in Kansas City
If you have a question or would like to get in touch with the Popham Law Firm, please give us a call at (816) 221-2288 today. Also, feel free to schedule an appointment to visit our downtown office.
You matter.
We believe the best legal outcomes happen when lawyers commit to clients, not just results. We’re dedicated to exceeding your expectations in every way— from the way we treat you to the size of your settlement.