Compensation for Wrongful Deaths in Kansas City
When a family member passes away due to someone else’s negligence, there are various types of damages that the family may be able to recover through a wrongful death claim. If the deceased family member was the primary wage earner, his or her loss of income may be recoverable for the benefit of the surviving family members. Below are some basic details about how to calculate and potentially recover the lost income of a family member who wrongfully died.
To learn out more about your wrongful death claim, we encourage you to read our overview of wrongful death claims in Kansas and Missouri and to contact an experienced wrongful death lawyer. There are many reasons you should not wait, including the need to preserve and gather evidence and meet the strict deadlines that apply to wrongful death cases. In addition, there's often several forms of compensation available these claims.
Our Kansas City wrongful death attorney handles wrongful death cases in the Kansas City area and throughout Missouri or Kansas. You can call us today for a free, no obligation consultation at 816-203-0143.
Loss of Income After a Kansas or Missouri Wrongful Death
Families can be completely devastated after the sudden loss of a loved one. The pain they suffer is not only emotional, but it can be financial as well. They are already struggling to cope with overwhelming grief, while also making funeral and financial arrangements. With the mounting bills and the knowledge that a primary income source is no longer available, there is added stress from an uncertain future.
Wrongful death claims in Kansas and Missouri can allow a family to recover a variety of economic damages and expenses, including medical bills and funeral costs. However, there may also be compensation for other financial damages like the loss of the deceased’s earnings.
Under both Kansas and Missouri law, a claimant for wrongful death may seek to recover compensation for the deceased's reasonably expected loss of income. Determining what’s reasonable can sometimes be difficult and complicated. It may not only involve the deceased’s wages but also other benefits such as retirement and pension payments.
There are several factors that impact the value of lost income in a wrongful death case, including:
- age at the time of death;
- life expectancy;
- retirement age and applicable plans; and
- wage rates and other expected supplemental income.
In calculating income loss, it is also important to consider the age of dependents, such as minor children, who may have relied on the deceased for financial security. Unfortunately, there is no set formula to calculate the precise amount of income loss in a wrongful death case as it depends on the facts of each case. This is also the case for other types of compensation that may be available, including such as loss of companionship for a spouse or loss of guidance for a child.
Call our Kansas City Wrongful Death Attorney
There's a lot on the line in a wrongful death case. This is why it's important to contact an experienced wrongful death attorney who can help guide you through these legal issues and make sure the amount recovered is both fair and full. Our Kansas City wrongful death attorney is ready to help evaluate your case, explain the types of compensation that may be recoverable, and provide guidance on next steps. Call our Kansas City wrongful death attorney today for a free, no obligation consultation: (816) 203-0143.
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