At JD Haas, we’re proud to practice in multiple states, because it allows us to bring justice to more people in need. As wrongful death lawyers, you’ll find no more knowledgeable or caring team.

If you know you have a wrongful death case, contact us for the compassionate help you need. Wrongful death cases are handled differently and are subject to unique laws in different states, and we’re well versed on the standards in multiple jurisdictions.

If you live in Kansas City or any other area of Missouri, here are a few things you’ll need to know before pursuing your wrongful death case.

Missouri Has a Unique Definition of What Constitutes Wrongful Death

Of course, so does every state, but it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with how your locale views this subject. State law declares wrongful death as “any act, conduct, occurrence, transaction, or circumstance which, if death had not ensued, would have entitled such person to recover damages in respect thereof.”

That’s a bit complex, so let’s put it this way: In Missouri, wrongful death follows the same rules as personal injury cases in some senses.

In other words: If death hadn’t happened, and you would have hypothetically been able to recover damages from the incident, then the case is a wrongful death case.

You Can Recover a Variety of Damages in Missouri Wrongful Death Cases

There are several factors that determine your right to recover damages in a wrongful death case, and it’s important to know your state’s specific definitions. In Missouri, you can recover damages for funeral expenses, lost wages, medical bills related to the death, lost companionship, and more.

Just like in any state, these damages can help get you back on your feet after a traumatic experience. And collecting isn’t greedy – don’t fall for this misconception.

Only Certain People Can File for a Wrongful Death Case in Missouri

The law considers only people who have a certain relation to the deceased as able to file for a wrongful death case. The exact specifics depend on state-specific litigation. In Missouri, spouses and children are the sole individuals able to do so, provided they are currently living.

If this is not the case, the responsibility falls to grandchildren of the originally deceased. No living relatives in any of these categories enables a sibling of the deceased or that sibling’s descendants to take up the role.

JD Haas: A Team of Compassionate Wrongful Death and Injury Attorneys

Whether you’re in Missouri, our home state of Minnesota, or any other of the locales we actively serce, you can expect nothing less than the utmost in kindness when we handle your wrongful death case. To learn more about your opportunities with us, contact our Minneapolis office today at 952-345-1025.