Under Missouri law, a deceased person’s surviving family members can pursue a legal case against the person or business responsible for causing a fatal injury in St. Louis, MO. A wrongful death claim can compensate the victim’s estate and heirs for the losses suffered by the victim and their family members.
The value of a wrongful death settlement depends on the specific circumstances of the case. A St. Louis wrongful death lawyer from Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers can evaluate your claim and help you evaluate what compensation may be available. We have 30 years of combined experience and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients.
Contact our law office today at (636) 519-0085 for a free consultation.
How Roach Law Can Help After A Wrongful Death In St. Louis, MO
If your loved one has died in an accident caused by another party’s negligent or wrongful act in St. Louis, Missouri, we are here to provide compassionate legal support.
Our St. Louis personal injury attorneys will provide the following services:
- Assessing the case and explaining your options for wrongful death compensation
- Investigating the accident and collecting evidence to build a case
- Preparing and filing a claim with the other party’s insurance carrier
- Taking the wrongful death case to court if the insurer denies the claim
You and your family members might have significant financial losses after your loved one’s death. Contact Roach Law to schedule a free consultation with a St. Louis wrongful death attorney.
Is There An “Average” Wrongful Death Payout?
You could calculate the average settlement across a sampling of wrongful death cases. However, this number would not provide much information. The compensation recoverable in your case depends on the factors unique to your family’s financial situation and the deceased victim’s role in the family.
While there is no average, certain factors may determine the compensation you can recover. Specifically, three factors will determine how much you can recover.
Your Family’s Losses
In a wrongful death case, the losses your family has suffered will be one of the most important factors in determining how much compensation you can pursue. If your loved one was a high earner—such as a physician or executive—the financial impact on your family may be significant. But even if your loved one had a modest income, your claim still has value.
Missouri law allows you to seek compensation for more than just lost income. You may also be entitled to damages for the emotional and practical support your loved one provided—such as companionship, care, guidance, and help around the home. These losses matter, and your family deserves to be compensated for them.
The Strength Of The Case
The evidence of liability will help determine the value of any settlement offer. Specifically, an insurer will have a greater incentive to settle a case when the claimants have strong evidence of liability than when they have little to no evidence of liability.
The Other Party’s Resources
Most wrongful death cases are covered by liability insurance. The policy limits of the applicable insurance coverage will determine the maximum amount the insurer will pay. If the settlement exceeds the policy limits, the at-fault party will need to cover the difference. If the other party has no assets, your maximum settlement might be equal to the policy limits.
Damages Recoverable In A Missouri Wrongful Death Case
The damages recoverable in a wrongful death case are defined by statute to include the following losses suffered by the family:
- Income losses
- Funeral expenses
- Reasonable value of the services provided by the deceased
- Loss of consortium
After losing someone you love, it’s natural to feel like no amount of money could ever reflect what you’re going through. And while Missouri law doesn’t offer compensation for grief alone, there are other meaningful ways to seek justice.
If your loved one spent time in the hospital or received medical care before passing, you may be able to recover those costs. Even a few days of treatment—ambulance rides, medications, ICU stays—can leave behind major expenses. These are part of what your family can include in a wrongful death claim.
Contact Our St. Louis Wrongful Lawyers For A Free Consultation
You shouldn’t have to face the recovery process alone. At Roach Law, our team has decades of experience handling wrongful death cases in Missouri. Let us review the details of your loved one’s case, explain your legal options, and fight to get your family the compensation you deserve.
Contact our law office to schedule a free consultation with a St. Louis wrongful death lawyer.