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Losing someone you love is devastating. It feels even worse when that loss happens because of someone else’s carelessness. You’re left picking up the pieces, emotionally and financially, while trying to figure out what comes next.
A St Louis wrongful death lawyer can guide you through this time and help you take steps toward justice and financial recovery.
Walner Law gives families real support and a clear plan. Here’s what you can expect:
After a death, financial strain often hits hard. Bills pile up, income disappears, and the future feels uncertain. A wrongful death claim can provide money to help you rebuild.
You may qualify for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover real expenses, such as funeral costs, lost wages, and medical bills.
Non-economic damages relate to what you’ve lost emotionally—companionship, care, and the guidance of a loved one.
In Missouri, the deceased’s spouse, children, or parents usually file the claim. If none of those people live, other close relatives may be allowed to file. A court may divide compensation among surviving family members.
Several things factor into the amount: age and health of the deceased, income and earning potential, funeral costs, and the emotional toll on surviving family members.
Walner Law works with financial professionals to estimate a fair number and then fights to secure it for you.
The first few days may feel like a blur. As time passes, legal options become more pressing.
Even weeks later, you can still gather valuable details. Save medical records, autopsy reports, and any correspondence with doctors or employers. Take photos of anything relevant—accident sites, property damage, or defective products.
Order death certificates, police reports, and insurance policies. These documents are necessary to open a wrongful death case.
As memories fade, written notes become key. Document your loved one’s routines, their relationship with family members, and how their loss is affecting you. These details can strengthen your claim.
Don’t speak to insurance companies, post on social media, or give recorded statements. All of these can be used against you. Let Walner Law speak for you while you focus on healing.
Missouri law controls who can file a claim, when they can file it, and how damages are awarded.
The statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in Missouri is generally three years from the date of death. If you wait too long, you could lose your right to sue. A few exceptions exist, but most families must act within that time.
Missouri defines wrongful death as a death caused by “any act, conduct, occurrence, transaction, or circumstance” that would have allowed the person to file a personal injury lawsuit if they had lived. This includes car accidents, medical errors, unsafe properties, defective products, or violent actions.
Missouri follows a rule called “pure comparative fault.” If your loved one was partially responsible for what happened, it could reduce the amount of compensation.
St. Louis has its own court systems, rules, and culture. Jurors here often bring strong opinions about fairness and responsibility. Some local courts have large dockets, which means wrongful death cases may take time to move. Having attorneys who know the system helps your case stay on track.
Some fatal incidents in St. Louis are tied to unsafe roads, workplace injuries, or violent crimes. Certain neighborhoods also experience more traffic deaths due to poorly maintained infrastructure. Walner Law works with local investigators to uncover city records, traffic reports, and maintenance logs that can support your claim.
Where you file matters. A case filed in St. Louis City could unfold very differently than one in St. Louis County. Local knowledge helps your legal team pick the right venue for the best possible outcome.
It may seem simple to file a claim, but the insurance process is built to protect their money, not yours.
Once an insurer finds out someone has died, they act fast. Adjusters may reach out with sympathy but their real job is to limit how much the company pays. They may request recorded statements, medical history, or signed forms. These are designed to reduce or deny your claim.
Initial settlement offers rarely reflect the true value of your loss. They may not include long-term income loss, emotional suffering, or even all of the medical bills. Insurers use formulas that work in their favor. Without legal representation, most families accept far less than they deserve.
Walner Law deals directly with insurers so you don’t have to. We calculate the full value of your claim, including future losses, and make sure insurance companies don’t take advantage of your grief. If an insurer refuses to pay fairly, we take the case to court and fight for everything you owe.
Sometimes the same incident leads to both criminal charges and a civil wrongful death claim.
A criminal case punishes someone for breaking the law. A civil case, like wrongful death, seeks money for the family. They are separate; one can move forward even if the other does not.
If someone is found guilty of a crime, it can strengthen your civil claim. But even if they are acquitted, you may still have a case. Civil cases require less evidence than criminal ones.
Walner Law stays in touch with local prosecutors if there’s an active criminal case. We use public records and testimony from the criminal trial as part of your civil case when available.
Sometimes multiple parties share the blame.
A fatal car crash might involve both a reckless driver and a poorly maintained intersection. A construction site accident could involve a subcontractor and a defective safety harness. These situations make the case more complex but can also increase the total compensation.
Missouri law allows multiple defendants to be held responsible. Each may pay their portion of the damages.
Sometimes, one party may be forced to cover more than their share if others can’t pay. Walner Law tracks down all responsible parties to help maximize your recovery.
Yes, it matters. Everyone contributes to their family in different ways.
Stay-at-home parents provide childcare, transportation, cooking, and emotional support. Seniors may help with caregiving or managing household responsibilities. A wrongful death claim includes these lost contributions.
Missouri courts allow families to recover for loss of guidance, support, and companionship. These are real losses, even if they don’t show up on a paycheck. Walner Law helps demonstrate the full value of what your loved one brought to your life.
Some people support their families in ways that go beyond a paycheck.
When a family member is the main caregiver, whether for children, aging parents, or someone with special needs, their role is vital. These responsibilities may include cooking, transportation, medical care coordination, or providing emotional support.
Replacing this care often means hiring outside help, which can become expensive quickly.
Missouri courts recognize that care has real financial value. Even if your loved one didn’t earn a traditional income, the time and energy they invested in your household matters.
Walner Law works to document these contributions and include them in your claim.
Losing a caregiver changes everything. Children may need daycare, elderly parents may need to move into assisted living, and family routines may fall apart. Walner Law helps families show the full picture of their loss to insurers and courts, increasing the chance of a fair settlement.
Missouri doesn’t limit compensation in most wrongful death cases, such as car accidents or workplace deaths. However, there are caps in medical malpractice wrongful death claims. Because Walner Law refers out medical malpractice cases, this cap won’t apply to your claim if we take it on.
You may be eligible for punitive damages if the person or company responsible acted with extreme recklessness. These are additional amounts meant to punish wrongdoers. They are not guaranteed but can significantly increase compensation.
If your loved one didn’t leave a will, the court may appoint someone to represent the estate. This person can file the wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of all heirs.
The court determines how to divide the compensation among surviving family members. Walner Law helps ensure that everyone’s rights are considered during this process.
Yes, businesses can be held accountable if their actions or negligence caused a death.
Examples include:
Walner Law investigates every party that may have played a part in your loved one’s death.
Every story deserves justice, and every family deserves peace of mind. Call Walner Law today to speak with a St Louis wrongful death lawyer who can stand beside you.
Call 312-410-8496 — Let’s talk about your case. It’s free to call, and there’s no pressure to decide right away.
Yes, businesses can be held accountable if their actions or negligence caused a death.
Examples include:
Walner Law investigates every party that may have played a part in your loved one’s death.
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(312) 410-8496
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The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
