Losing a loved one is devastating, especially when it’s due to someone else’s negligence. This is known as wrongful death. An experienced St. Louis wrongful death lawyer from our personal injury law firm with a track record of securing favorable outcomes for clients, can also help your family prove negligence, seek justice, and secure financial recovery.
In this Article
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Wrongful Death Accident in St. Louis?
How Does a St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer Prove Wrongful Death?
To succeed in a wrongful death claim, we must prove four key elements:
Duty of care: the responsible party— the defendant—owed a duty to act safely.
Breach of duty: the defendant failed to uphold that duty through negligence or harmful actions.
Causation: their actions directly caused your loved one’s death.
Damages: the loss resulted in measurable harm like medical bills, lost income, or emotional pain.
Our compassionate wrongful death lawyers gather evidence, build strong wrongful death litigation cases, and fight for justice and fair compensation for grieving families.
What Is a Wrongful Death in Missouri?
If a person dies due to someone’s negligent act, Missouri law (RSMo Section 537.080) allows the family of a wrongful death victim—through the personal representative of the deceased’s estate—to file wrongful death claims to recover compensation (funeral costs and more) for the wrongful death actions.
Who Can File a Missouri Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Only certain individuals can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Missouri. The state categorizes eligible individuals into three classes, which must be followed in this order. Class one includes the deceased’s spouse, children, grandchildren, and parents. Class two includes brothers and sisters of the deceased and their children. Class three includes a “plaintiff ad litem” or a suitable person appointed by the court. If you’re unsure about your rights, our wrongful death attorneys can help.
Common Types of Accidents That Cause Wrongful Death in St. Louis, MO
Wrongful deaths occur because of wrongful actions, such as:
Car accidents, truck accidents, and other motor vehicle accidents
Workplace accidents or unsafe working conditions
Medical malpractice cases (such as medical errors or misdiagnoses)
Slip and fall incidents caused by unsafe property conditions
Defective or dangerous products
Who Can Be Held Accountable for a Wrongful Death?
Individuals or entities whose negligence causes a death can be held liable in personal injury cases, including employers, drivers, property owners, healthcare providers, or manufacturers.
What Is Not Considered Wrongful Death in Missouri?
In Missouri, deaths from natural causes, unavoidable accidents, or those where the deceased is at fault are not considered wrongful death cases.
What Is My St. Louis Wrongful Death Case Worth?
The value of many wrongful death cases depends on factors such as the amount of medical bills, funeral expenses, lost wages, the emotional suffering of surviving family members, and more. While no amount of money can replace your loved one, compensation can ease financial burdens and provide some sense of justice.
Our St. Louis wrongful death attorneys assist in evaluating economic and non-economic damages, negotiating with insurance companies, and helping families recover damages.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Missouri?
Missouri law allows up to three years to file a wrongful death claim. A lawyer can help you meet deadlines, identify negligent parties, and pursue financial compensation.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Wrongful Death Case?
The timeline varies—some wrongful death claims settle in months while others take years. Factors like complexity, evidence, negotiations, and court schedules affect the process. Our experienced wrongful death attorneys work diligently during the legal process to reach a resolution quickly, while also ensuring you receive maximum compensation.
Call Us for a Free Case Evaluation
If you’ve lost a loved one to fatal injuries, our personal injury law firm is here to help you take legal action, hold liable parties accountable, and win the financial support you deserve. Our personal injury attorneys can help you pursue justice and seek compensation with a personal injury lawsuit. Contact our experienced legal team today for a free consultation; you don’t pay any legal fees unless we win your case.
Get help from a St. Louis, MO wrongful death lawyer when you've lost a loved one because of someone else's negligence.
$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.
$500,000
$500,000 Policy limit settlement for a 48-year-old woman injured in a Cook County head-on collision after another driver made an unsafe left turn into traffic.
$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.
$250,000
Recovered for an individual who suffered a severe knee injury after a slip and fall on a wet floor at a Will County retail store.
$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