A mass casualty incident can overwhelm families and entire communities in an instant. When such a disaster strikes, it is often confusing and painful, leaving victims unsure of where to turn. If you have been affected by such an event in St. Louis or throughout Missouri, a St. Louis mass casualty lawyer from our personal injury law firm is here to help you navigate the path forward. We provide the legal assistance you need during this difficult time.
In this Article
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Mass Casualty Accident in St. Louis?
What Is a Mass Casualty?
A mass casualty incident (MCI) is any event that results in multiple injuries and fatalities, with so many victims that it overwhelms the available local resources (including first responders and hospitals). These events are defined not just by the number of people hurt, but by the strain they place on a community’s ability to respond effectively. The chaos can make it difficult for victims and their families to get the help and long-term support they require in a timely manner.
What Causes Mass Casualties in Missouri?
Mass casualty incidents can be natural disasters or those caused by human actions (such as events involving gun violence).
Environmental and Weather-Related Disasters
Missouri is no stranger to tragic events and natural disasters. Tornadoes, major floods, powerful storms, and fires can strike with little warning, causing widespread destruction and injury. While these are often called “acts of God,” failures in warning systems or emergency preparedness could contribute to the harm people suffer. Experienced disaster lawyers can investigate whether proper safety protocols were followed.
Human-Caused and Operational Failures
Incidents caused by human error or intentional acts are tragically common. These can include:
Large-scale transportation accidents involving buses, trains, or multiple vehicles
Industrial accidents, such as explosions or chemical spills at manufacturing plants
Bridge collapses or other structural collapse disasters
Acts of violence, such as a mass shooting, which require a compassionate and determined mass shooting law firm to pursue justice for shooting victims
Common Injuries in Mass Casualty Incidents
The injuries sustained in an MCI can be severe and life-altering, ranging from physical trauma to deep psychological wounds. Victims may suffer from broken bones, burns, internal organ damage, and traumatic brain injuries. Just as significant is the emotional toll, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
Can Victims of a Mass Casualty Seek Compensation?
Yes, victims of a mass casualty event often have the right to seek compensation for their losses in personal injury cases. This financial recovery is intended to cover both economic and non-economic damages. Compensation can help pay for medical bills, future healthcare needs, lost wages, and the physical and emotional pain and suffering leading to a diminished quality of life. When a family member has been killed, our legal team may deliver justice through a wrongful death lawsuit to recover losses, including funeral expenses and more. In rare cases, punitive damages may be recovered.
Who May Be Liable for a Mass Casualty Event?
Identifying the responsible parties in an MCI can be complex. Depending on the circumstances, liability may fall on one or more entities. For instance, in a multi-vehicle pileup, negligent drivers or a trucking company could be at fault. In a building collapse, the property owner, engineers, or construction companies might be liable. For a mass shooting, the shooter may be liable.
What Missouri Federal Laws Address Mass Casualties?
Missouri law provides a framework for holding negligent parties accountable through personal injury and wrongful death claims. These laws establish the duty of care that companies and individuals owe to the public. Missouri’s dram shop law allows an injured person to sue a licensed establishment that sells liquor to a person who causes harm. The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) allows individuals to sue the U.S. government for personal injury, property damage, or death caused by the negligence of federal employees.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Missouri?
Missouri statutes of limitations are strict and depend on the claim; a plaintiff will lose the legal right to sue if a deadline is missed. Most personal injury and property damage actions have a five-year limit, wrongful death suits for a lost loved one are three years, and medical malpractice is generally two years (with limited exceptions). Claims against public entities may have shorter timelines and notice rules.
How Can an Attorney Help with My Personal Injury Claim?
Navigating the legal system after a traumatic event is a challenge no one should face alone. A St. Louis mass casualty lawyer can manage the entire legal process for you. We will handle communications with insurance companies, gather evidence, engage expert witnesses, and build a strong claim on our client’s behalf. Many cases can be resolved through negotiation, but if a fair settlement cannot be reached in the aftermath of your tragedy, we will fight for your rights in court.
Call Us for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one is injured or is a survivor of a mass casualty event, contact us today. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced attorney. We will listen to your story of how the accident happened, review the legal process, and explain your legal options.
If you have been affected by a mass casualty event throughout Missouri, a St. Louis mass casualty lawyer can help.
$7.5 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when a support wall fell and struck him. (Highest award on record for a construction injury in DuPage County at the time).
$3.2 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when he fell in an uncovered foundation trench, ranking as the highest award on record for a construction injury in McHenry County at the time.
$3 Million
Recovery for the family of a man struck by a garbage truck that was making an illegal turn.
$2.2 Million
Recovery for a salesman injured in an automobile collision.
$2 Million
Recovery for a man struck by a speeding vehicle as he waited for the CTA bus.
$1.5 Million
Recovery for a truck driver that was struck by another car on the expressway while his vehicle was disabled.
$1.4 Million
Recovery for a computer programmer that slipped and fell in the washroom at work.
Recovery for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a parking lot. At the time, this was the second-highest recovery on record in DuPage County for a similar injury.
$800,000
Recovered for a disputed wrongful death claim against a trucking company. The company denied they were involved in the collision.
$660,000
Recovery for a truck driver that was injured while unloading his trailer.
$550,000
Recovery for a person who slipped and fell in a grocery store.
$550,000
Recovery for a woman who injured her neck in a motor vehicle collision.
$500,000
Recovery for a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle while standing on the sidewalk.
$460,000
Recovery for a truck driver that tripped and fell in the parking lot while making a delivery.
$450,000
Recovery for a dental assistant who slipped and fell at work on an unnatural accumulation of ice.
$425,000
Recovery for a union worker struck by a speeding vehicle.
$425,000
Recovery for a passenger in a vehicle struck by an inexperienced driver.
$415,000
Recovered for a woman that required neck surgery after aggravating an existing neck injury in a truck accident.
$400,000
Recovery for a lab technician injured while transporting equipment.
$370,000
Recovery for a construction worker injured on faulty equipment at a construction site.
$315,000
Recovery for a motorist struck by a falling utility pole.
$310,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$300,000
Recovery for a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.
$250,000
Recovery for a young woman struck by another vehicle.
$250,000
Recovered for a woman who sustained a partial finger amputation and other injuries in a rollover car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$250,000
Recovered for a 60-year-old woman involved in a car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man hit by a semi-truck while operating a go-cart.
$240,000
Recovery for the injured party struck by another vehicle.
$235,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$235,000
Recovery for an inventory clerk injured when shelving toppled onto her.
$219,000
Recovery for a restaurant patron that slipped and fell in the bathroom.
$200,000
Recovered for an airline employee struck on the runway at O’Hare International Airport.
$190,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$175,000
Recovered for a child injured by fireworks at a fourth of July celebration.
$170,000
Recovered for a person injured when she slipped and fell exiting a major retail store.
$150,000
Recovered for a woman who fractured her leg when she was struck by a vehicle.
Latisha S.
Great service. They helped me get my money, and everyone was very pleasant even though the health insurance took a while. Everything was on point on Kryder’s side.
(312) 223-1700