5 Things to Know About Kansas City Wrongful Death Cases

Losing a family member is tragic.  When the death is due to another person’s negligence or wrongdoing, a sad event can become even more devastating. Wrongful death claims can compensate families for the financial loss and other damages. There are specific rules, processes and limitations to these types of claims, and that's what we're here to help with.

Our experienced wrongful death attorneys will be there every step of the way through the legal process, just leave the hard part to us.  Call us today at 816-203-0143 for a free consultation.  We're here for you, and on your side.

Key Facts From Our Kansas City Wrongful Death Attorney

Below are five important things to know about wrongful death cases in Missouri and Kansas:

1. Statutes of Limitations Limit Your Time to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Both Missouri and Kansas
2. Only Certain Parties May Files a Wrongful Death Claim
3. The Amount of Compensation for a Wrongful Death Claim Can Be Limited
4. A Survival Action Might Also Exist in Addition to a Wrongful Death Action
5. Help From Our Wrongful Death Attorney Can Ease the Process

1.  Statutes of Limitations Limit Your Time to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Both Missouri and Kansas

Each state has a law known as the "statute of limitations" that governs how long you have to file a wrongful death claim.  This is critically important because if you wait to long to pursue a claim, the statute of limitations will bar your right to any recovery.

Kansas wrongful death claims must be filed within two years from the date of death. Under Missouri law, most wrongful death claims must be filed within three years from the date of death.  

There are some exceptions to these rules, and it is best to contact an attorney as soon as possible to avoid the running of the statute.  One such exception is known as the "discovery rule". The discovery rule applies in cases in which the cause of death may not be immediately known. The statute of limitations would begin from the date that a reasonable person would have discovered the cause of death. It is best to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after the death of a family member if you suspect errors, negligence, or other wrongdoing was the cause of your loved one’s death.

2.  ­Only Certain Parties May File a Wrongful Death Claim

There are specific legal processes that you must follow to assert a wrongful death claim, including who is allowed to file a wrongful death claim.  Under Kansas wrongful death laws, any heir at law of the deceased person may file a wrongful death claim. In most cases, it is a surviving spouse or children who file a wrongful death claim. If there is not a surviving spouse or children, parents, siblings, or other relatives may file a claim.

Missouri wrongful death laws designate a specific order for who may file a wrongful death claim. The surviving spouse, children, parents or lineal descendants of a deceased child have priority to file a wrongful death claim. If none of the above individuals survived the deceased person, the decedent’s siblings and their descendants might file a wrongful death claim.

If there are no surviving individuals in any of the above categories to file a Missouri wrongful death action, the court may appoint a person to file an action upon the motion of an interested party.

3.  The Amount of Compensation for a Wrongful Death Claim Can Be Limited

In Kansas, there is no cap for economic losses. Family members can recover funeral and burial costs; medical expenses related to the decedent’s last illness or injury; loss of income and wages that the deceased family member would have earned; and, loss of services that the deceased would have provided to other family members.  Kansas law has a cap on non-economic damages in wrongful death cases.  Non-economic damages include emotional distress, mental anguish, and the loss of support, love, guidance, and care.  The cap arises from K.S.A. 16-1903 (cannot exceed $250,000).

Under Missouri wrongful death laws, a family can recover a variety of damages such as loss of income; funeral expenses; medical expenses from the last illness or injury; and loss of companionship, service, guidance, and support. In most wrongful death cases, there is no cap on the amount of damages a family can recover.  One exception in Missouri is a wrongful death arising from medical malpractice.  Non-economic damages are capped in those cases under Missouri law.

4.  A Survival Action Might Also Exist in Addition to a Wrongful Death Action

In some cases, a person’s estate may file a survival action against the person or party who caused the death of another individual. A survival action is separate from a wrongful death action. The personal representative of the probate estate files the survival action on behalf of the decedent’s estate. The estate may be entitled to recover damages suffered by the decedent, such as pain and suffering that the decedent experienced between the date of injury and the date of death.

In Missouri, there is no need to bring a separate cause of action for survival damages because all damages are awarded in a single action.  By contrast, Kansas law provides for two separate causes of actions for a death caused by the negligence of another party.  There is a survival action set forth in K.S.A. 60-1801, and a wrongful death action can be brought under K.S.A 60-1901.

5.  Help From Our Wrongful Death Attorney Can Ease the Process

Wrongful death claims are complicated. The laws involved in proving that another party is responsible for the death of an individual are complex. Searching for insurance coverage and other resources that might be available to pay damages in a wrongful death claim can be time-consuming and challenging. Our attorney handles these matters for you so that you can focus on your family and continue the healing process after the sudden loss of a family member.

Call Our Kansas City Wrongful Death Attorney Today

When a loved one's death is caused by negligence, you want to hold the responsible person accountable.  We understand these legal matters can be overwhelming, especially as you're dealing with the grief of losing a family member.  Our experienced wrongful death attorneys are here for you during this difficult time in your life. As a family, you have the right to seek compensation for your loss.

Call us today at 816-203-0143 or contact us online for a free consultation.  We're very sorry for your loss, and want to help you seek justice for the death of your loved one.