Personal Injury Lawyer in St. James, MO

Personal injury lawyer in St. James, MO. Burger Law defends the rights of those who are injured because someone else broke the rules. After an injury, the first thing you need to do is get proper medical treatment. After that, you need a personal injury lawyer to stand up for your and secure you the maximum compensation you deserve. Reach out to Burger Law today at (573) 500-HURT or fill out our online form.

To calculate how much compensation you may be owed in St. James, or anywhere in Missouri, use our free personal injury calculator.

The negligent parties that hurt you are responsible for compensating you for all of your damages, but they will not do it willingly. Burger Law’s personal injury lawyer team fights hard for our clients against whoever is standing in the way of justice. We handle a litany of cases, including suing large trucking companies, holding negligent doctors, product manufacturers, dog owners responsible, suing City Hall, to securing justice and financial security for St. James residents after the wrongful death of a loved one. If you have questions about your case, the damages you may be able to recover or other questions regarding personal injury claims, speak to one of our personal injury lawyers in St. James, MO now at (573) 500-HURT.

Why Burger Law Is The St. James, MO Personal Injury Law Firm For You

Choosing the right personal injury lawyer for you is of utmost importance. You want someone with a history of winning similar cases and who you know will not back down from a fight. In order to gauge the abilities of an injury law firm, you need to take into account their previous victories, and what their clients and peers say about them:

Award-Winning St. James, MO Personal Injury Lawyers

The many awards and accolades Burger Law has received from other law firms include:

• Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a noteworthy achievement awarded to not more than 5 percent of all attorneys in the United States
• Million and Multi-Million Dollar Advocate Honor — Members of the Million and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an honor only given to 1 percent of attorneys in the United States.
• Top 100 Trial Lawyers Honor — Selected to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only honor that is made up of the most qualified attorneys in each state.
• Board Certified By the National Board of Trial Advocacy — Board certified in Civil Trial Advocacy and Civil Pretrial Practice Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Less than 4 percent of all practicing lawyers are certified by an ABA accredited certification board.

Personal Injury Lawyer St. James, MO – Cases We Have Won

Our St. James, MO personal injury lawyers fight for the full rights and recoveries of our clients. We take on all who have injured our clients, and we insist on nothing but full compensation. Our firm is devoted to giving our clients amazing legal representation, and we take great pride in our well-deserved victories. Check out some of our recent successes in personal injury claims below:

• $5 Million Settlement – Father Killed By Reckless Truck Driver
• $3 Million Judgment – Son Murdered by Pam Hupp
• $2.5 Million Settlement for Father’s Fatal Car Accident
• $2 Million Settlement – Injured Woman Settles Highway Crash Lawsuit
• $1.435 Million Settlement For Deck Collapse That Injured Couple
• $1 Million Settlement to Family of Man with Sepsis Infection
• Medical Malpractice Case Settles for Over $1 Million
• $900,000 Medical Malpractice Settlement
• $900,000 Medical Malpractice Settlement
• $780,000 Federal Tort Medical Malpractice Settlement
• $765,000 Settlement After Fatal Collision
• $600,000 Tractor-Trailer Crash
• $600,000 Settlement – Widow in ATV Accident Settles with Property Owner
• $495,000 Uninsured Motorcycle Verdict
• $400,000 Settlement in Employment Discrimination Case
• $350,000 Settlement in Ladder Case
• $305,000 Settlement in Dog Bite

It is worth pointing out that every injury comes with its own set of circumstances, and what you may be eligible to recover is going to be based entirely upon the circumstances of your claim. We calculate the full extent of your damages so that you secure what you deserve.

Burger Law Client Success Stories

Beyond the videos below, you can check out more client testimonials here.

What Is a Personal Injury Claim in St. James, MO?

Under Missouri and U.S. law, you have a right to file a personal injury claim to get a financial recovery for the injuries done by another person’s negligence, and to hold them accountable for breaking the rules. The recovery you receive is intended to make one whole. The goal is to put you in the same position you were in before another person injured you.

In some cases, no outcome in your claim can fully “put back” all the things you lost in an injury. While you can be reimbursed for the financial losses you sustained, other damages cannot truly be expressed through dollar signs. If you lost a loved one, you are permanently disabled, are disfigured or will have to live the rest of your life in chronic pain, no amount of money can change that. What compassionate and experienced personal injury lawyers like those at Burger Law can do is ensure your injuries are recognized, and to give you relief from the financial losses resulting from your accident.

Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer in St. James, MO?

While some cases can be successfully navigated without a lawyer, most of the time you will need one to ensure no money is left on the table in St. James, MO. The important question is, will I get more money with them? If your medical expenses are low, you have minimal lost wages and the other party’s fault is clearly established, a lawyer might not be necessary. But, you should hire an attorney in St. James, MO if the following is true about your claim:

• There is disagreement about who is at fault, or the insurance company says the accident are your fault
• The insurance company is denying they have to cover certain damages
• Your injuries are serious and require ongoing medical treatment
• There are multiple parties at fault
• Your damages are more than the liable policyholder’s policy limits

We offer consultations for free, and we will always be honest with you about whether or not it is in your best interest to hire our services. Our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you do not pay until we win your case, and we have no reason to accept you as a client if we do not think we can significantly increase your final payout.

What Do You Need to Prove to Win a Personal Injury Claim in St. James, MO?

While civil law can be complex, whether or not you have a claim generally depends on one specific question: did another person’s negligence cause you injuries? If so, legally speaking you have to prove the five elements of negligence:

1. Duty of care — You first need to demonstrate that the person you are making a claim against owed it to you to value your safety. In some cases this is automatic, as St. James, MO driver owe drivers, passengers and pedestrians a duty of care, or dog owners owe it to others not to let their dog injure anyone. In other cases, a special relationship must be established, for example the relationship between a doctor and patient or between a vendor and a buyer.
2. Breach of duty — Did the other party fail in that duty? Did a driver hit you while they were not following the rules of the road? Did a physician not order the appropriate tests? Did a product manufacturer fail to recall a product they knew was dangerous?
3. Causation — You must show how the incident led to your injuries. For example, you sustained a whiplash injury after being rear ended, or had bad side effects from a prescription drug.
4. Proximate cause — This determines who ultimately is at fault. If you were rear ended, it is usually because another driver broke the rules of the road. But if the brakes were defective, someone in the product’s chain of distribution may be ultimately liable.
5. Damages — Lastly, you must show that the incident resulted in financial losses. In most cases damages are medical bills and wages you could not earn while you were not able to work. If you hold onto your medical bills, damages are easy to prove with the help of an attorney. After proving economic damages, we can pursue a financial recovery for less tangible losses.

If you have any doubts about whether or not you have a case, speak to a lawyer in St. James, MO who has won a similar claim before. You can speak to a personal injury lawyer today at (573) 500-HURT.

Types of Cases Our St. James, MO Personal Injury Lawyers Handle

Practicing injury law in St. James, MO requires that you have a vast knowledge of the different types of cases that people deal with. Knowing the difference between how the law applies to auto accidents, medical malpractice and slip and falls is essential. A lawyer who only knows how to deal with car insurance companies may not have the experience to take on other cases. At Burger Law, we know how to secure justice for the injured no matter the circumstances. We have won millions for our St. James, MO clients in the following types of cases:

• Auto accidents, including:
  • Car accidents
  • Truck accidents
  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Pedestrian accidents
• Slip and falls
• Medical malpractice
• Product liability
• Workers’ compensation
• Dog bites
• Construction accidents
• Wrongful death

Burger Law’s personal injury lawyers will take on any case in which someone was injured due to another’s negligence. One of the benefits of choosing a Burger Law St. James, MO personal injury lawyer is that our team takes on all types of personal injury claims, and this actually gives our lawyers exceptional experience that they can use to benefit all their clients. We understand that case types often overlap, and having experience with each type of claim gives our team the perfect understanding of how to fight for our clients’ rights and recoveries.

How Does the Personal Injury Claims Process Work in St. James, MO?

The path to getting a financial settlement or verdict for your injuries starts the second you are injured. While some accidents and injuries settle fairly early, others go completely through to a jury trial. In total, the personal injury claims process consists of:

• Getting Medical Care — Seek medical attention immediately after an injury, and follow your doctor’s treatment plans to a “T.” The insurance company will be harder to deal with if you wait, and not getting the full treatment will lower how much compensation you receive. Our personal injury lawyers work with several reliable St. James, MO health professionals who can ensure you recover physically as best as possible.
• Consulting With an Attorney — Even if you are not sure you are going to need legal representation, you need to consult with one as soon as possible so they can become familiar with your case. A good attorney will tell you bluntly what your legal options are.
• Investigation and Documentation — Once you have retained a lawyer’s services, your personal injury lawyer will carry out a complete investigation into your claim, determine every liable party and gather the evidence needed for maximum compensation. You should also keep detailed records of your expenses related to your injuries, and how they affect your day-to-day life.
• Settlement Demand and Negotiations — Once we know how much your claim is worth, we will send a settlement demand package to the liable party’s insurance company. In the package we will include how we calculated your damages, and demand a financial recovery for all the ways your injuries have affected you. Usually, the insurance company will counter our offer with a lower number, and there will be several back-and-forths until they decide to be truly fair.
• Filing a Lawsuit — If negotiations do not lead anywhere, we will file a lawsuit in court, which begins the formal process of your claim going to trial. During this time, both parties continue negotiating.
• Mediation — Mediation is often the last chance for an agreement before trial. In mediation, a neutral third party will try to get each party to accept the merits of the other side’s arguments.
• Pre-Trial — If mediation still does not result in a fair settlement, we will go into the pre-trial “discovery” phase. In discovery, we take depositions of eyewitnesses and expert witnesses, obtain more evidence and both parties will share with the other what they plan to use as evidence in trial.
• Trial — Only six percent of personal injury claims go to trial. In fact, we often finally get a fair settlement offer just before trial begins. However, if the insurance company still cannot see reason, the case will go in front of a judge and jury. Trial consists of:
  • Voir dire
  • Opening statements
  • Testimony and cross-examination
  • Closing arguments
  • Jury instruction
  • Jury deliberation and verdict

Most people who speak with our St. James, MO personal injury lawyers have never been through the personal injury claims process before, and do not know what to expect. Burger Law will be by your side from our initial consultation to full compensation, keep you up to date on the status of your claim and handle all documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can spend your energy on your physical recovery.

What Compensation Can I Get In My St. James, MO Personal Injury Claim?

Typically, there are two types of compensation available in a personal injury claim: economic damages and non-economic damages:

• Economic damages compensate you for your financial losses related to your injuries, for instance:
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity if your injuries result in permanent disability
  • Medical bills, past and future
  • Out-of-pocket expenses
• Non-economic damages compensate you for the less tangible aspects of your injuries, including:
  • Pain and suffering
  • Anxiety
  • Loss of ability to enjoy life
  • Scarring
  • Inconvenience
  • Disability
  • Loss of consortium

Sometimes, we may also be able to pursue punitive damages if the negligent harmed you on purpose or they were incredibly reckless. Examples can include a drunk driver, or a doctor who performs surgery after drinking. While punitive damages are rarely awarded, your Burger Law personal injury lawyer will pursue every legal avenue possible to get you the best possible financial recovery.

What If I Was Partly At Fault For My Injuries?

Telling you your injuries are your fault is a frequent trick insurance adjusters employ to devalue your claim. If you were indeed partially to blame, you can still make a recovery. Under Missouri Revised Statute §537.060 and Missouri Revised Statute §537.765, the state has implemented “pure comparative negligence.” That means that, if your injuries were partially, but not completely, your fault, you can make a recovery for the percentage of blame you do not share.

For example, say your damages come out to $100,000, but you but you bear 10 percent of the blame, under comparative negligence, you would be eligible for $90,000 in compensation.

Can I Afford a Personal Injury Lawyer in St. James, MO?

As we charge a contingency fee, there are no upfront costs to hiring a Burger Law St. James, MO personal injury lawyer. We charge a percentage of your final payout, but only after we win and after you have your settlement check in hand. The benefits of this for you are twofold:

1. You have access to experienced legal advocacy, no matter if you are trying to make up for medical bills and lost wages
2. We have no reason to take on your case unless we genuinely we can add value to it, and will do everything possible to get you the best recovery possible

At Burger Law, we know that being injured without warning can put a dent in your back account. You still have a right to justice and fair compensation.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Personal Injury Claim in St. James, MO?

In Missouri, the statute of limitations is five years for the majority of personal injury claims, under Missouri Revised Statute §516.120. There are four important exceptions:

1. If you has not reached your 21st birthday or “mentally incapacitated” on the date of the accident, you have five years from your 21st birthday or the day your mental incapacitation was removed to file a claim, pursuant to Missouri Revised Statute §516.170.
2. If the person or corporation who is responsible for your injuries is a resident of Missouri but departs from the state for short time, their time out of state does not take away from the five years, under Missouri Revised Statute §516.200.
3. Medical malpractice cases must generally be made within two years of the injury or you learned of the injury, under Missouri Revised Statute § 516.105.
4. Any lawsuit against a municipal entity in Missouri must be filed within 90 days with the Missouri Office of Administration’s Risk Management Division.

While five years may seem like a long time, you do not want to delay in contacting an attorney. Your personal injury lawyer at Burger Law will want the most amount of time in order to best make your claim. Your claim may be affected if you wait and wonder if you want to pursue a claim. Get in touch with a Burger Law St. James, MO personal injury lawyer now at (573) 500-HURT.

Other cases we handle in St. James, MO include:

• Survival Action Lawyer in Missouri
• Truck Crash Lawyers in Missouri
• Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Missouri

Hire Burger Law

Speak to a Personal Injury Lawyer in St. James, MO Now

Burger Law’s St. James, MO personal injury lawyers fiercely believe in zealous representation. That means we start working for your recovery the moment you hire us, investigate your case thoroughly, fight back against insurance companies on your behalf and do not give up until you receive the full compensation you are owed. We offer the highest level of legal representation; all of our advice will be sincere and in your best interest, but we always leave the ultimate decisions on your claim to you and your St. James, MO family. You do not have to pay for someone else’s careless actions. To start on your road to true recovery, call a Burger Law St. James, MO personal injury lawyer now at (573) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free consultation.

Client Reviews

What our clients are saying about us

Juanita Matthews

Year of 2023

This law firm is absolutely amazing. They took on my case, when nobody else would! They fought hard for me when it seemed there was no hope. They kept me informed and always asked for my input before making decisions on my case. Gary puts himself into every case unlike most law firm owners. Gary and his team really care about every one of their clients, and fights hard to get you a fair settlement. They actually won my case out of court, and then reduced my fees to make sure I could get my car fixed and be able to get back to some normality. I would recommend Burger Law over and above any other firm! If you go somewhere else you aren’t getting the best!

Shaunda S.

7 months ago

I am very happy with the staff at Burger Law. I mostly worked with Michael Sheldon, and he did an amazing job. I trusted him completely with my case, and he did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend this team if your ever in need of good attorneys.

Emelia M.

3 months ago

Burger Law Firm is fantastic. Laura and Genevieve were so amazing and helpful throughout the entire process. They helped me with my personal injury case every step of the way and succeeded at getting me the results I desired.

Helen L.

a year ago

We had a great experience with Burger Law for representing us after a serious car accident. Truly impressed by how professional and supportive the entire team is. And, many thanks to Genavieve and Laura – you are amazing!

Judy M.

a year ago

They did an amazing job on my case! Communication with them was great!!! Kept me informed and in the loop with everything that was going on!!! Will definitely be the 1st ones I’ll call if ever I’m in another accident!!! Thank you very much!!!

Chelsea C.

5 months ago

Let me tell you something about Burger Law.. they are so attentive and kind. Jennifer is my savior!! I love the whole team!!! They are truly a miracle team!! I appreciate their business and would recommend it to others.

David D.

2 months ago

Absolutely the best law firm in the St. Louis area. No matter the size of your case you are treated as if you are the only client on the roster. Will explain anything thoroughly and they work around your availability. Very impressed and appreciative of the service.

Lisa B.

11 months ago

Gary and Casey took great care of me for 2.5 years as my lawsuit was finally settled. I feel he helped me achieve justice for me and my 4 children after their father died from medical malpractice and neglect. Thanks to Gary, my kids now have a great start to their college and adult lives. Thank you Gary and Casey, for fighting for us so hard at our most trying and difficult time in our lives thus far. Love and God bless from my family to yours!

View More Reviews on Google Maps and Yelp