Kansas City Wrongful Death Attorney
Skilled Wrongful Death Lawyers Serving The People of Kansas City, MO
Losing a loved one is one of the most painful experiences anyone can suffer in their lives. It is particularly devastating if you lost your loved one because of the negligence and carelessness of another person, company, or other business entity. If a loved one has been a victim of wrongful death, our Kansas City wrongful death attorney will see if it’s possible for you to be entitled to compensation on his or her behalf, as well as for your own resulting emotional and financial injuries.
Wrongful death claims are a type of personal injury claim – the worst type of personal injury claim possible. A wrongful death claim can result from the serious injuries of any accident leading to death. This would include drivers and pedestrians killed by a drunk or impaired driver, or a death resulting from medical negligence or a dangerous medical product or device.
In addition to a wrongful death claim by relatives for damages they have suffered as a result of a loved one’s death, under certain circumstances representatives may also file a Survival Action on behalf of the deceased. In this action they would seek to recover for injuries and damages suffered by the decedent before he or she died. These damages may include compensation for the conscious pain and suffering the decedent experienced between the time of the negligent or intentional act and the death. In some cases the representative in a Survival Action can also seek Punitive Damages to punish the wrongdoer and to deter others from like misconduct in the future.
Our wrongful death attorneys at Siro Smith Dickson understand what you’re going through and your need for justice and peace of mind. We will use every resource at our disposal to get you and your family the fair and just compensation you deserve. Contact us today for experienced and effective representation.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?
A wrongful death claim is filed by a representative on behalf of the survivors who suffer damages from the victim’s death. This representative will vary in each case, and the survivors who may be entitled to a share of the damages will depend on their relationship to the deceased and will vary state by state. That being said, as a general rule the following relatives have a right to participate in a wrongful death lawsuit:
- Surviving Spouses and Children: Immediate family members, including spouses and children, may file a wrongful death claim.
- Parents of the deceased: In cases involving the death of a child, parents of the deceased may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim.
- Siblings: In relatively rare circumstances, the siblings of the deceased can file a wrongful death claim.
Our Kansas City wrongful death attorney has the experience to assess the situation and determine who is entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim.
Getting Compensation
No two wrongful death claims are the same, and damages vary from case to case and state to state, but as a general rule, there are three types of damages and compensation that may be pursued in these cases:
- Pecuniary Damages: Pecuniary damages refer to the compensation a court or jury may award for economic damages sustained by the deceased person, or the surviving relatives. These include economic losses such as lost wages and medical bills; they also include any expenses the family might have incurred upon the death of the loved one. Pecuniary damages may also include lost support, funeral costs, and property damage.
- Non-Pecuniary Damages: Non-pecuniary damages are difficult to measure because they refer to the loss of companionship, services, guidance and support. These may very well be the greatest loss of all for surviving family members.
- Damages for Aggravating Circumstances/Punitive Damages: Damages for Aggravating Circumstances are in the nature of punitive damages, and are awarded in cases of serious malicious intent, or reckless regard for the safety of others, and are intended to punish the wrongdoer, and serve as an example to discourage others from behaving in the same way.
Let A Kansas City Wrongful Death Attorney Handle Your Claim
Losing a loved one due to the reckless actions of the neglectful wrongdoing of another is not at all fair to you or your loved ones. At Siro Smith Dickson, we care about you and your family. Our Kansas City personal injury attorneys are on your side. Let us fight for you. Contact us from this website, or call us at (816) 471-4881.