St. Louis Wrongful Death Lawyers

What Qualifies as Wrongful Death?

Not every accidental death is grounds for a wrongful death claim. You will need the guidance of our St. Louis wrongful death attorneys to make the determination. However, some common causes of wrongful death actions include the following:

• Car Accidents. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of accidental death in people under the age of 25 and the second leading cause for those 25 and older. Often, these deaths are caused by the negligent actions of drivers. Whether they were speeding, driving while intoxicated, ignoring road signs, or driving while distracted, when drivers engage in careless or negligent behaviors, a wrongful death lawsuit will hold them accountable for the deaths they caused. Truck drivers, passenger car drivers, and motorcyclists can be liable for the deaths of other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and any other victim.
• Medical Malpractice. Your loved one went to the doctor or hospital for treatment to get better, but instead, he was killed by the actions of a healthcare worker. Surgical errors, medication mistakes, anesthesia errors, nursing home abuse, or post-operative infections that lead to the death of a patient can all be pursued as a wrongful death. Medical practitioners need to be held accountable for their mistakes and prevented from repeating them.
• Workplace Accidents. While worker’s compensation will cover those injured at work, how will you be compensated when your loved one is killed in a workplace accident? An employer or an employer’s insurance company may make you a quick settlement offer, but you can probably get a lot more with a wrongful death lawsuit. If negligence on the part of the employer caused your loved one’s workplace death, you may have a case for wrongful death.
• Birth Injuries. Improper use of birthing tools, oxygen deprivation due to a delayed C-section, or mishandling a breech birth can all cause injuries that lead to a newborn’s death. Tragedies such as this should always be investigated to determine if the cause was negligence or carelessness on the part of the doctor.
• Dangerous Products. Poorly designed or manufactured products can kill. Faulty airbags, car seats, infant cribs, toys, and even clothing have led to the deaths of innocent victims. When this happens, the designer, manufacturer, retailer, or installer should be held liable for wrongful death.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?

If you believe your loved one’s death was caused by someone else, whether intentional or not, you may have cause for a wrongful death claim. In Missouri, only certain people may bring a wrongful death suit. In order of entitlement, they are:

• Spouse, children, or grandchildren of the deceased.
• Parents of the deceased.
• Siblings of the deceased.
• A personal representative of the deceased’s estate.
• A plaintiff ad litem appointed by the court.

An experienced wrongful death lawyer can help you determine who the best person is to make a claim.

Wyatt Wright Can Help You Get Justice

You are devastated by the death of your loved one, but you are not a vengeful person. You know that hiring a lawyer and going to court will not bring your loved one back. So why should you do it? If you and your children were financially dependent upon the deceased, you will have a long, hard battle ahead to stay in your home, pay bills, pay for college—the things that were assured when your loved one was alive. If someone else caused your loved one’s death, you are entitled to compensation. Schedule a free consultation with our experienced St. Louis wrongful death attorneys to find out more.