Wrongful death is a terrible civil wrongdoing that should have consequences for the negligent party or perpetrator. While negligently or unintentionally causing the death of another person might not be a crime, it could make the at-fault party civilly liable for surviving family members’ damages. If you recently lost a loved one in Independence, Missouri, and are curious as to whether you have grounds for a wrongful death claim, schedule a free consultation with an Independence wrongful death attorney from Wendt Law Firm P.C. to find out. Our personal injury lawyers can review your case at no cost to you and let you know how we can help.
Every state has specific laws regarding how to file wrongful death claims. In Missouri, the law defines wrongful death as the death of one person by the act, transaction, conduct, occurrence or circumstances of another which, if the victim had not died, would have entitled him or her to recover damages through a personal injury claim. If someone negligently, wantonly or intentionally caused your loved one’s death, you most likely have grounds for a lawsuit.
Only certain parties may bring a wrongful death lawsuit in Missouri. The first surviving family members with this opportunity are the deceased person’s spouse, parents, children or grandchildren. If these parties do not exist, a surviving brother or sister will have the right to file a claim instead. If the decedent has no surviving siblings, a representative of the estate may bring the claim on behalf of anyone entitled to compensation.
Wrongful death occurs when one or more parties breach their duties of care to the deceased individual. This can happen anywhere: at work, on the road, in a parking lot, or right at home. Identifying who or what caused your loved one’s fatal accident is one of the first steps toward obtaining justice. Although almost any serious accident could cause wrongful death, some accident types are more frequent than others in Independence.
At Wendt Law Firm P.C, we handle all types of wrongful death claims. Regardless of what you believe caused your loved one’s death, please contact us to discuss the case in more detail for free with an attorney. We have helped victims and their families recover justice and compensation from at-fault parties for years in Missouri and Kansas.
The compensation your family could receive in a successful wrongful death claim may cover both economic and noneconomic losses. A defendant could owe your family an award for past and future pain and suffering, mental anguish, outstanding medical bills, funeral and burial costs, legal fees, and more. Although past results do not guarantee future successes, the lawyers at Wendt Law Firm P.C. have obtained awards for previous clients that have helped them pay their debts and move forward with financial stability. Find out what your case could be worth during a conversation with one of our attorneys.
If someone owed your loved one a duty of care, negligently or wantonly breached this duty, and caused your loved one’s fatal accident, that party could owe your family compensation. Learn whether your family has a case today during a free consultation. We can walk you through Missouri’s wrongful death laws and the claims process. Call our Independence wrongful death lawyers today at (866) 539-4415.