Traumatic accidents can create difficult times for victims and their families. The consequences of someone’s negligent actions can be fatal. If another person’s misconduct caused your loved one’s death, you should immediately contact the skilled personal injury attorneys of OnderLaw for legal assistance. You might be entitled to compensation from the at-fault party.

Surviving family members face significant grief, stress, and shock when someone they love passes away. If the accident was avoidable, those feelings are joined by anger. You deserve the opportunity to hold the responsible person liable for what they’ve done. The Ferguson wrongful death lawyers of OnderLaw are ready to discuss your case and explore your legal options to seek justice.

Call us today for a free consultation, and let us be your advocate during this traumatic time in your life.

Why Choose OnderLaw ?

At OnderLaw , our legal team will treat you as a priority. You’ll receive the one-on-one attention you need to navigate the complexities of a wrongful death lawsuit. We have years of experience and vast resources to help you pursue the maximum available compensation for your loss. We know a financial remedy won’t bring your relative back or take away the pain you’re experiencing, but we hope it can provide some relief while you’re paying final medical expenses and funeral bills.

Our award-winning Ferguson wrongful death lawyers have been recognized by multiple organizations, including The National Trial Lawyers, the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and Super Lawyers. Founding Partner Jim Onder earned an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, a distinction given only to the top attorneys in the country. Our firm has also been featured on multiple news outlets for the results we’ve achieved for our clients.

OnderLaw provides legal services to accident victims and their families and focuses our efforts on sponsorships and volunteering. We support charitable organizations to help those in need and make our community a safer place. We believe we have a duty to give back as much as possible.

What Is Wrongful Death?

Missouri law defines wrongful death as a death that results from the circumstance, conduct, transaction, act, or occurrence that would have entitled them to compensation if they had not died. In other words, if your loved one had survived the at-fault party’s negligent or intentional actions, they could have filed a personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit for the injuries they sustained.

Common Types of Wrongful Death Cases

Accident victims could die at the scene or suffer a fatal injury or illness and pass away at a later date. Either way, the circumstances of their death could determine which party you could hold liable for the resulting losses, such as medical bills and burial costs.

The most common types of wrongful death cases are:

  • Motorcycle accidents – Motorcyclists are at a greater risk of death when they collide with motor vehicles due to a lack of safety devices. Bikes don’t have airbags or seatbelts like cars. The impact of an accident can eject the rider and lead to fatal blunt force trauma upon impact with the ground.
  • Car crashes – Car accidents are common in Ferguson. The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety concluded that human factors play a part in 94% of motor vehicle collisions. Some of the most common causes of car accidents are driver distractions, speeding, failing to yield the right of way, and disobeying traffic signals.
  • Truck accidents – Tractor-trailers and other commercial trucks can cause massive damage and fatalities when they crash into smaller cars. Truck drivers are often under pressure to stay on schedule and deliver their cargo by specific deadlines. That, combined with long hours on the road, can result in human error that causes an accident.
  • Nursing home abuse – Employees at nursing facilities are responsible for the medical treatment and care of the residents. If they physically abuse a patient, administer the incorrect medication, or neglect to provide adequate food and water, fatal injuries and accidents can occur.
  • Workplace accidents – Occupational hazards can exist in any industry. Dangerous working conditions, such as toxic chemical exposure and faulty equipment, can lead to an employee’s death. In 2019, there were 5,333 fatal injuries in the workplace. This was the highest number in twelve years.
  • Defective products – Dangerous drugs, defective consumer products, and faulty medical devices are just a few examples of defective products. Manufacturers must ensure they provide the public with safe products. However, manufacturing errors, inadequate warning labels, and design defects can cause fatalities.
  • Premises liability – Commercial and residential properties can contain hazards that cause injuries and death to visitors. Owners are responsible for maintaining their properties and promptly repairing the damage. If they don’t, someone could suffer a fatal head injury from slipping on a wet floor or develop a deadly disease from exposure to toxic substances, such as asbestos.

The Ferguson wrongful death lawyers of OnderLaw might be able to represent you if your relative died from any of the situations above. This isn’t a comprehensive list, so it would be best for you to contact us to discuss the details of your case and find out if we can represent you.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Only certain family members can initiate a lawsuit for wrongful death in Missouri. First in line is the spouse, children, or parents of the deceased. The children can be legitimate, illegitimate, adopted, or natural.

If those relatives are no longer alive, next in line is a sibling or their descendants. If there isn’t a surviving brother or sister, the court can appoint a plaintiff ad litem. That’s essentially a representative for the interests of the deceased’s estate.

What’s the Deadline to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Ferguson?

A statute of limitations is a timeframe for suing someone after a person’s injury or death. Missouri has a three-year statute of limitations for wrongful death cases. That means you must initiate your lawsuit within three years from the date your loved one died if you want to seek compensation.

If you miss this deadline but try to file anyway, the court will likely dismiss your case. That’s why it’s critical that you hire a Ferguson wrongful death lawyer and begin the legal process immediately after your relative passes away, so you don’t lose your right to hold the at-fault party liable.

Possible Compensation for Your Losses

In a successful lawsuit, the judge would order the defendant to pay the plaintiff or the deceased’s estate a monetary award for the value of the case. In a wrongful death case, you can seek compensation for multiple losses, such as:

  • Funeral and burial costs
  • Pain and suffering the deceased endured before their death
  • Medical expenses related to the deceased’s fatal illness or injury
  • Loss of the deceased’s companionship, consortium, services, support, counsel, or guidance
  • The estimated value of the wages and benefits the deceased could have earned if they survived

Missouri doesn’t impose a cap on intangible losses, such as lost support or companionship, except in medical malpractice cases. If a healthcare professional caused your family member’s death, you wouldn’t be able to pursue more than $700,000 in compensation for the intangible losses you suffered.

How OnderLaw Can Help You After Your Loved One’s Death

You have the right to seek compensation when someone’s carelessness or negligence causes your family member’s fatal accident or injury. However, you should know the steps you need to take if you want to pursue compensation in a lawsuit. The most important thing you should do is hire a Ferguson wrongful death attorney. Having an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer on your side can help you understand your rights and what to expect on the complicated legal road.

Make sure you maintain all documentation associated with the case and forward them to OnderLaw . We can review it for crucial details that could help us understand the circumstances of your loved one’s death and the best course of action to achieve your desired outcome.

While we’re investigating the accident, we’ll need to gather evidence. Some examples might include:

  • Police/incident reports
  • Statements from eyewitnesses
  • Security camera footage
  • Accident scene photos
  • Your relative’s medical records and billing statements

We can file the lawsuit on your behalf and handle each step of the process from start to finish. You won’t have to worry about filing deadlines, confusing paperwork, and the other complicated factors involved in a legal case. We can take care of everything so you can focus on grieving and moving on with your life.

Contact a Ferguson Wrongful Death Attorney

The Ferguson wrongful death lawyers of OnderLaw believe in holding people accountable for the harm they inflict upon others. This is especially important in matters involving someone’s death. You can depend on us to be your advocate during this devastating time in your life and fight hard for justice for your loved one.

Our Ferguson wrongful death lawyers are available to speak with you 24/7. You can reach out to us when you need us most and receive answers to your questions or a status update on your case.

If you lost someone you love in an accident caused by another person’s misconduct, contact OnderLaw for a free consultation. We take cases on contingency, so you don’t have to pay any legal fees or costs unless we recover compensation for you. Complete our online form or call us right now.