The death of a family member can be devastating, especially if it occurs as a result of a preventable accident. If you believe that the negligence, carelessness, or wrongful actions of someone else caused the premature death of a loved one, you may be entitled to seek fair compensation by filing a wrongful death claim against the responsible party.
At Jett Legal, we have the resources and experience to assist, support, and represent your family during this difficult time. A knowledgeable St. Louis wrongful death attorney will evaluate and investigate every surrounding detail of your unique circumstances, gather all necessary evidence, and help you file a wrongful death action.
As your legal counsel, we will fight compassionately to protect your rights and help you seek rightful compensation and justice for your loss. Our experienced wrongful death attorneys will help you move forward with peace of mind and ensure that the liable parties are held accountable.
Jett Legal in St. Louis is proud to represent families of wrongful death victims across St. Louis and from Jefferson County to Charles County.
Why File A Wrongful Death Claim?
A wrongful death claim typically involves the unexpected death of a person as a result of the negligence, carelessness, wrongful actions, or medical malpractice of another.
Wrongful death is defined as a death that occurred due to “any act, conduct, occurrence, transaction, or circumstance” of another person, according to Missouri wrongful death laws.
If your loved one passed away due to a St. Louis car accident, truck accident, pedestrian accident, workplace accident, or another type of accident, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim.
No amount of money can ever hope to fill the void left by the loss of a loved one. However, getting compensation and justice can help the surviving family members regain peace of mind after such an unfortunate incident.
Furthermore, filing a wrongful death claim can give the surviving family members a much-needed financial boost to cover medical bills incurred before the victim’s death, funeral expenses, burial costs, lost income and benefits, and loss of consortium.
Losing a loved one due to a preventable accident can be one of the most challenging events you go through. Remember that you don’t have to suffer alone. At Jett Legal, we will handle your wrongful death claim so you can grieve in peace.
Understanding A Wrongful Death Claim In Missouri
Under Missouri law, a person, entity, or government agency that causes death due to their negligent or careless actions can be held legally liable.
In order to establish a wrongful death claim in Missouri, the claimant must show that:
- The defendant owed a legal duty of care to the decedent
- There was a breach of the legal duty of care
- A death occurred
- The victim’s death was due to the defendant’s negligent or wrongful actions
- The surviving family members suffered actual damages due to the death
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Missouri?
The following people may file a wrongful death claim in Missouri:
- First in line — the surviving spouse, parents, children, or children’s descendants of the deceased person
- Next in line — the deceased person’s surviving siblings or their descendants
- Next in line — a “plaintiff ad litem” appointed by the Missouri court to handle the claim
Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations
Wrongful death claims have a statute of limitations, which is the deadline that you have to file the claim by. If you fail to file the claim by your case’s statute of limitation, you risk losing the ability to recover compensation for your damages.
Under Missouri Revised Statutes Section 537.100, a wrongful death action must be brought within three years from the date of the victim’s death.
Damages Available
The following damages may be recovered through a wrongful death claim in Missouri:
- Medical bills incurred before the victim’s death
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost wages and benefits
- Pain and suffering experienced by the deceased person before their death
- Pain and suffering experienced by the surviving family caused by their loved one’s death, such as emotional and mental anguish.
- The reasonable value of the services, companionship, consortium, comfort, counsel, guidance, training, and support the decedent would have provided to surviving loved ones
Work With An Experienced Wrongful Death Attorney
Wrongful death can be intense and heartbreaking for the victim’s surviving loved ones. Such an incident can leave you worrying about your financial future.
However, this negligence should never be allowed to go unchecked. Retaining an experienced wrongful death lawyer immediately is important to advocate for your legal rights and seek compensation for your loss.
At Jett Legal, we understand how difficult losing a loved one prematurely can be, and our compassionate wrongful death lawyers are poised and ready to assist you and your family during such a trying period.
As your legal counsel, we will:
- Fight compassionately to represent your best interests and hold the responsible parties liable
- Review all of the facts of your wrongful death case and conduct a thorough, private investigation
- Gather necessary evidence and required documentation
- Help establish that the defendant’s wrongful actions caused the victim’s death
- Help you understand the value of your claim and negotiate a fair settlement with the insurer
- Take additional legal action, such as filing a wrongful death lawsuit, if needed
St. Louis Wrongful Death Attorney
If you have lost a spouse, parent, child, or someone close to you due to another party’s wrongful actions, you may seek fair compensation.
Our team of St. Louis wrongful death lawyers can fight vigorously to protect your rights and help pursue fair financial compensation to cover burial and funeral expenses, lost income, and more.
We proudly represent clients throughout St. Louis and from Jefferson County to Charles County. Contact us today to get the help you need.