If you lost someone you love because another person was careless, reckless, or cruel, you deserve justice. No settlement can fill the space left behind, but Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe can help your family secure the financial stability and accountability that allow you to begin rebuilding. If you’ve lost a loved one due to someone else’s wrongdoing, reach out today and trust our St. Joseph wrongful death lawyers to stand beside you.
What Sets Our St. Joseph Wrongful Death Lawyers Apart at Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe
- We bring more than a century of combined trial experience and a track record of over $1 billion recovered for clients across Missouri, Kansas, and the country.
- We handle every case with a holistic, hands-on approach, never passing your case off to junior staff or treating you like a file number.
- We are nationally recognized—named among Top 50 Attorneys, America’s Top 100, Super Lawyers, and U.S. News Best Law Firms—so you are represented by advocates the opposing side takes seriously.
Who Has the Right to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in St. Joseph?
Missouri law is specific about who may bring a wrongful death claim. Only one lawsuit is permitted per death, and a tiered structure dictates which of the deceased’s closest surviving family members may file.
The people eligible to file fall into the following groups, in order of priority:
- The surviving spouse, children, or parents of the person who died, or the descendants of any children who have also passed away
- If no one in that first group survives, a surviving brother or sister of the deceased or the descendants of a sibling
- If no eligible family member exists in either category, the court can appoint a plaintiff ad litem to pursue the case on behalf of those entitled to share in any recovery.
What Damages Are Available to Surviving Family Members After a Wrongful Death in St. Joseph, MO?
Missouri allows surviving family members to recover a broad range of damages designed to address both the financial and personal losses your family has suffered. Courts weigh the specific facts of each case when determining an award, but compensation commonly includes:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical bills connected to your loved one’s final injury or illness
- The wages, benefits, and financial support your loved one would have provided had they lived
- Compensation for any pain and suffering your loved one endured between the injury and their death
- The value of the companionship, guidance, comfort, and household services your loved one contributed to the family
In certain cases, additional damages may apply. For example, Missouri permits punitive damages in cases of especially dangerous or reckless conduct. You may also be eligible to recover compensation if the deceased provided regular caregiving for a child, senior, or disabled family member. A St. Joseph accident attorney at Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe will work diligently to identify and pursue every category of compensation available to you.
Circumstances That Lead to Wrongful Death Claims in St. Joseph, Missouri
Under Missouri law, a wrongful death occurs when a person dies because of an act or circumstance that would have allowed them to file a personal injury claim in St. Joseph had they survived. In plain terms, if another party’s negligent or intentional conduct caused the death, your family may have grounds to pursue a lawsuit.
Wrongful death claims can arise from a wide range of catastrophic accidents in St. Joseph, including:
- Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents caused by distracted, impaired, or reckless drivers
- Medical malpractice, such as surgical errors, misdiagnosis, or medication mistakes
- Defective or dangerous products that fail and cause fatal injuries
- Unsafe premises, including fatal falls or other hazards on poorly maintained property
- Workplace accidents and industrial incidents
- Intentional acts of violence, which can support a civil claim even when criminal charges are also filed
If your loss stems from any of these situations—or something not listed here—it’s worth speaking with a St. Joseph wrongful death lawyer to understand your options.
Time Limits for Filing a Wrongful Death Claim in Missouri
Missouri sets a firm deadline for wrongful death lawsuits. In most cases, you have three years from the date of your loved one’s death to file your claim. That date can differ from the date of the underlying accident or injury.
For example, a loved one might be critically injured in a car crash in January but survive in the hospital for several weeks before passing away in February. Your three-year window would begin on the February date of death rather than the January date of the accident.
In limited situations, the filing deadline may be extended. For instance, if the at-fault party flees Missouri to avoid being sued, the clock generally pauses for the period they remain outside the state and resumes once they return.
In any case, if you wait too long, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case. No matter how strong it is, a claim filed past the deadline will not move forward. By contacting a St. Joseph wrongful death attorney as soon as possible, you give your case enough time to be investigated thoroughly and filed on time in the appropriate court system.
How a St. Joseph Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help
In the aftermath of a sudden loss, the last thing you should have to manage is a complex civil lawsuit. Wrongful death cases involve gathering evidence, identifying every liable party, calculating the full scope of your family’s losses, and standing firm against defense attorneys and insurance representatives who will work to minimize what you’re owed.
When you hire Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe, we shoulder that entire process for you and your family. We build a compelling case, handle every filing and deadline, and negotiate aggressively on your behalf, while keeping you informed at each step. And because we are seasoned trial attorneys, the other side knows we are fully prepared to take your case to a courtroom if that is what justice requires.
Trust Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe to Pursue Justice for You
If your loved one died due to negligence or recklessness, your family deserves justice and fair compensation. The St. Joseph wrongful death attorneys at Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe will take on the legal fight so you don’t have to. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation, and let our firm fight for your loved one’s memory.