Guiding Clients in Missouri and Kansas Through the Legal Process
Going through the complex legal process of filing a wrongful death claim is challenging enough. Individuals who lost loved ones in accidents experience grief, pain and all the other emotions that accompany a death. When that death was the result of another person's negligence, anger and uncertainty are added to the other emotions, making it essential to have sound counsel and advice to assist with decision making after a wrongful death.
At Dempsey & Kingsland, P.C., our Kansas City attorneys guide clients through the process of obtaining compensation after the death of a loved one. We begin by discussing the legal steps required to bring this type of case forward. We discuss deadlines and the role of the plaintiff in these cases. We evaluate each case carefully to determine whether legal action may be effective and calculate the monetary value of the claim.
Call 816.421.6868 for a no-cost consultation. We have obtained substantial settlements and jury verdicts in wrongful death cases across the K.C. metro area.
Questions About Wrongful Death Claims
Clients frequently ask questions such as these when they consult us about a wrongful death claim:
Are there limits on the size of an award or settlement?
Generally, there are no limits on the amount of an award in Missouri, except in medical malpractice cases. In Kansas, there are monetary caps on some types of awards.
Am I even eligible to file a wrongful death claim?
In Missouri wrongful death claims, eligible parties include spouses, children or surviving descendants of deceased children. Children can be natural, adopted or illegitimate. On the next step of eligibility are siblings and their descendants. In Kansas, common law spouses are eligible to file; in Missouri, a plaintiff spouse must have been legally married to the deceased.
Am I prohibited from filing a wrongful death claim after a certain amount of time has elapsed?
Yes. In both Missouri and Kansas, plaintiffs cannot bring wrongful death actions after the statute of limitations expires. This can be a complicated issue; our attorneys can advise you.
How long does the process take?
That depends on a variety of factors. However, our law firm will conduct the investigation, preserve the evidence, locate and depose witnesses, reconstruct the accident, have our medical specialists review the records, contact the insurance company, complete all the documents required by the court, conduct discovery, and perform the countless number of other tasks required to build a strong case.
We invite you to contact us with questions about the wrongful death claims process. Our lawyers will learn about your case, discuss your options and guide you as your case progresses. Call us in Kansas City at 816.421.6868.
