It's never easy to lose a family member, but it can be especially difficult when your loved one's death is the result of another person's carelessness. The process of learning that someone else's negligence is to blame for your spouse or other immediate family member's death is incredibly trying, to say the least, and this time is made more difficult by having to figure out how to sue the negligent party for damages.
If you are struggling with medical bills that incurred before the victim's death, loss of income, or other unexpected expenses that arose because of the victim's death, and are wondering, "what expenses will a wrongful death claim cover?" a wrongful death lawyer in St. Louis can help answer your questions.
In this FAQ, we'll discuss how to sue for wrongful death, what expenses are covered in wrongful death claims, and how a wrongful death lawyer in St. Louis can make sure that you recover justice and compensation for your family member's wrongful death. If you have questions about the type of compensation you could recover for your loved one's wrongful death, or other questions about the wrongful death process, call our wrongful death lawyers in St. Louis at 314-542-2222 or 618-272-2222. We don't charge any fees for consultations and never ask for any attorney fees unless we win damages for your wrongful death claim.
What Damages Can I Sue for in a Wrongful Death Claim?
The sudden loss of a spouse, parent, or child can be devastating and challenging to deal with on many accounts. Your family should be focused on grieving during this painful time, but when another person's negligence is responsible for your loved one's death, suing the negligent party can be stressful and at the forefront of your family's mind. Wrongful death claims are designed to help the surviving family members of victim's killed in medical malpractice, motor vehicle, and other types of wrongful death accidents handle sudden harm and losses that might have arose because of the victim's death. Most wrongful death claims can recover compensation for any and all expenses associated with a victim's death.
Expenses Covered Under Missouri's Wrongful Death Statute
During your initial consultation with a wrongful death lawyer in St. Louis, they'll look for several elements that need to be present in your wrongful death case; how long it's been since the victim's death, proof of the victim's death, the other party's negligence, proof of surviving family member's suffering, and if there is a personal representative for the deceased's estate.
Missouri wrongful death claims must be filed within three years of a fatal accident, two years in situations involving medical malpractice, and should display the following harm and losses:
- Pre-death pain and suffering of the victim
- Medical expenses that the deceased incurred prior to death
- Funeral and burial expenses that the family paid for out-of-pocket
- Loss of the victim's income
- If the victim has young children, loss of care from the deceased
- If a victim's parents are suing for wrongful death, loss of companionship can be claimed, and in claims involving a victim's surviving spouse this is known as loss of affection
If you are thinking about suing the negligent party responsible for your family member's wrongful death, you are going to need an experienced wrongful death lawyer in St. Louis by your side. Not only can an attorney determine the specific expenses that your wrongful death claim can recover, but having an attorney represent your case offers protection from the negligent party's insurance company and answers to any questions or concerns that you might have about suing for your family member's wrongful death.
If you would like to discuss your wrongful death case with our team and find out what expenses are covered in wrongful death claims, call our wrongful death lawyers in St. Louis at 314-542-2222, 618-272-2222, or connect with our attorneys today. We don't charge any fees for consultations and never ask for any attorney fees unless we win compensation for your wrongful death claim.