Losing a loved one is always challenging. However, this loss can be particularly devastating when the death was sudden and could have been avoided. While money is unlikely going to be your chief concern after an accident, recovering compensation can be essential for rebuilding your life after this tragic loss.
Dickman Law has helped countless victims who lost a loved one unexpectedly. If the death of your loved one was caused by the negligence of another party, you need an experienced Jefferson City wrongful death lawyer by your side. Reach out by phone or through the online contact form on this site to schedule a free case review.
How a Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help
After losing a loved one due to wrongful death, you should be focused on your family and your own mental and emotional health. The last thing you need is to be worrying over a lawsuit. By hiring a wrongful death attorney, you can put your financial future in the hands of an experienced legal professional.
Steps your attorney will likely take in your case include:
- Investigating the death of your loved one to establish liability and gather evidence in support of your claim
- Determining which damages you can claim and calculating their value
- Filing the appropriate paperwork with the at-fault party’s insurance provider or the court
- Going through all the steps of the pretrial process
- Negotiating with the opposition in an attempt to reach a fair settlement deal
- Representing you at trial
For a free legal consultation with a wrongful death lawyer serving Jefferson City, call 573-744-4878
Damages You Can Claim After a Wrongful Death
After losing a loved one to the negligence of another party, you will likely be eligible to recover a variety of damages. All compensatory damages are divided between economic and non-economic damages. Additionally, a small portion of wrongful death claims also qualify for punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are any financial losses you incurred as a result of losing a loved one. Common economic damages in a wrongful death case include:
- Medical expenses for treatment of your loved one before they passed
- Projected lost income your loved one likely would have earned over the rest of their lifetime
- Lost wages due to work you missed because of the death
- Property damage
- Funeral and burial expenses
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are all the other losses you suffered because of the loss of your loved one. The value of non-economic damages is hard to calculate since they are not financial in nature.
Since the loss of a loved one is profound and irreversible, the amount awarded for non-economic damages in these cases often makes up the bulk of the settlement or court-ordered payout. Common non-economic damages in a wrongful death case include:
- Diminished quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are only awarded in extreme cases where the death of your loved one was the result of criminal negligence or an intentional act. Punitive damages are not assessed as a means of repaying you for losses you suffered. Instead, a judge will use punitive damages to punish the liable party for their actions.
Jefferson City Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me 573-744-4878
Wrongful Death Lawyers in Jefferson City, MO Work on a Contingency Fee Basis
Wrongful death attorneys and other personal injury lawyers do not charge their clients in the same manner as most lawyers. Instead of making you pay an expensive fee to retain their services and billing you for the amount of time they spend working on your case, wrongful death attorneys charge a single fee, which is determined entirely by the outcome of your case.
Your attorney will not collect their fee until your case has concluded. Once you have received a settlement or court-ordered payout, your attorney’s fee will be paid as a fixed percentage of this compensation.
This fee system ensures that your attorney will fight to get you as much money for your case as possible. After all, the more compensation you recover, the more your attorney gets paid. Meanwhile, should they fail to secure money from the liable party, your lawyer will not get paid for their services.
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Consult an Attorney Before Accepting Any Settlement Deal
Insurance companies often take extreme measures to ensure they pay as little as possible for a claim. One of the tactics they will often use to undervalue a claim is to approach a potential claimant before they even have a chance to file.
The insurance company will present its settlement offer as a helping hand during a difficult time. Their hope is that you will take the offer at face value and not consult a Jefferson City, MO wrongful death attorney. By accepting the deal, you forfeit any claim to additional compensation down the line when you discover that the true cost of your loss far exceeds what you received.
Hiring an experienced wrongful death lawyer can help protect you against the predatory tactics used by insurance adjusters. The insurance company will have to deal directly with your attorney, which will force them to play fair.
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Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations in Missouri
In Missouri, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death lawsuit is three years. It’s critical to file your lawsuit on time, as failure to do so could result in the loss of your right to recover compensation. Additionally, by getting started early, you will put your attorney in the best position to gather evidence and build a strong case on your behalf.
You also need to be aware that exceptions to the statute of limitations may apply to your case that could further limit the time you have to file a lawsuit. The best way to ensure that you meet all deadlines is by hiring a wrongful death attorney in Jefferson City shortly after the death of your loved one.
You should also note that exceptions to the statute of limitations work both ways. That means you may still be able to file a lawsuit even after three years have passed.
Get a Free Consultation from a Jefferson City Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
After losing a loved one, recovering compensation can be critical. This is especially true in cases where the deceased was the primary earner for your household. Dickman Law has helped countless family members of wrongful death victims recover necessary compensation.
Reach out by phone or through the online contact form on this site to schedule a free case evaluation with a wrongful death attorney in Jefferson City, MO.
Call or text 573-744-4878 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form