St. Louis, MO Wrongful Death Lawyer

According to statistics from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, there were 157,038 total crashes statewide in 2019, causing 55,112 injuries and 881 deaths.

The death of a family member can be devastating, especially if it occurs as a result of a preventable accident. If you believe that the negligence, carelessness, or wrongful actions of someone else caused the premature death of a loved one, you may be entitled to seek fair compensation by filing a wrongful death claim against the responsible party.

At Jett Legal, we have the resources and experience to assist, support, and represent your family during this difficult time. A knowledgeable St. Louis wrongful death attorney will evaluate and investigate every surrounding detail of your unique circumstances, gather all necessary evidence, and help you file a wrongful death action.

As your legal counsel, we will fight compassionately to protect your rights and help you seek rightful compensation and justice for your loss. Our experienced wrongful death attorneys will help you move forward with peace of mind and ensure that the liable parties are held accountable.

Jett Legal in St. Louis is proud to represent families of wrongful death victims across St. Louis and from Jefferson County to Charles County.

Why File a Wrongful Death Claim?

A wrongful death claim typically involves the unexpected death of a person as a result of the negligence, carelessness, wrongful actions, or medical malpractice of another.

Wrongful death is defined as a death that occurred due to “any act, conduct, occurrence, transaction, or circumstance” of another person, according to Missouri wrongful death laws.

If your loved one passed away due to a St. Louis car accident, truck accident, pedestrian accident, workplace accident, or another type of accident, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim.

No amount of money can ever hope to fill the void left by the loss of a loved one. However, getting compensation and justice can help the surviving family members regain peace of mind after such an unfortunate incident.

Furthermore, filing a wrongful death claim can give the surviving family members a much-needed financial boost to cover medical bills incurred before the victim’s death, funeral expenses, burial costs, lost income and benefits, and loss of consortium.

Losing a loved one due to a preventable accident can be one of the most challenging events you go through. Remember that you don’t have to suffer alone. At Jett Legal, we will handle your wrongful death claim so you can grieve in peace.

Understanding a Wrongful Death Claim in Missouri

Under Missouri law, a person, entity, or government agency that causes death due to their negligent or careless actions can be held legally liable.

In order to establish a wrongful death claim in Missouri, the claimant must show that:

• The defendant owed a legal duty of care to the decedent
• There was a breach of the legal duty of care
• A death occurred
• The victim’s death was due to the defendant’s negligent or wrongful actions
• The surviving family members suffered actual damages due to the death

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Missouri?

The following people may file a wrongful death claim in Missouri:

• First in line — the surviving spouse, parents, children, or children’s descendants of the deceased person
• Next in line — the deceased person’s surviving siblings or their descendants
• Next in line — a “plaintiff ad litem” appointed by the Missouri court to handle the claim

Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations

Wrongful death claims have a statute of limitations, which is the deadline that you have to file the claim by. If you fail to file the claim by your case’s statute of limitation, you risk losing the ability to recover compensation for your damages.

Under Missouri Revised Statutes Section 537.100, a wrongful death action must be brought within three years from the date of the victim’s death.