Losing a loved one can be an extremely difficult time for families. The grieving process only intensifies if the loss is due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness.
What is wrongful death?
In Missouri, a wrongful death claim is a claim for damages made against a person or company whose negligent or intentional actions cause the death of another person. It can be thought of as a personal injury claim in which the deceased person is no longer able to seek damages. In Missouri, the family of the individual can file a case against the party and demand a claim for the damages.
Since 1954, the wrongful death attorneys at Bruntrager & Billings have helped St. Louis-area families hold wrongdoers accountable for their carelessness or misdeeds. A wrongful death lawsuit may arise from a variety of sources, which include but are not limited to the following:
- Medical negligence in the emergency room: This can be due to surgical errors, diagnosing the incorrect health problem or giving premature discharge orders for the patient.
- Vehicle accidents: The manufacturing company can be held accountable if the accident was caused by a defect in the automobile.
- Anesthesia overdose: The anesthesiologist will be held responsible if the death of the patient is due to an overdose of anesthesia.
Although money can never replace a loved one, receiving compensation through the wrongful death statute can help a family cover the costs for:
- Lost income or future earnings
- Lost pension or retirement benefits
- Medical expenses
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of companionship
If the wrongful conduct was grossly negligent or intentional, the family may also be entitled to punitive damages. If you lost a loved one recently as a result of the carelessness, negligence, recklessness or intentional act of another, it is important that you contact an experienced wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. Missouri law limits the time after a death in which a family may file suit. Moreover, important evidence may be destroyed or lost over time.