The Basics of Wrongful Death Lawsuits

Our deepest sympathies if you find yourself having to research “wrongful death lawsuits.” As one of the most sought-after personal injury firms in the Kansas City Metro area, we understand the heartache and anxiety you are experiencing.
We know you have a lot of questions. So let’s start by going over the basics of wrongful death lawsuits.

What is a wrongful death lawsuit?

When someone dies due to the fault of another person or entity, the survivors may be able to bring a wrongful death lawsuit. While such cases can’t bring the deceased back to life, they can give financial compensation for the loss. These funds can cover lost wages of the deceased, medical bills, funeral expenses, and even lost companionship.

Wrongful death lawsuits can also be made following the death of a child, young adult, or non-wage earner.

Wrongful death claims can be made on many different types of fatalities, from car accidents to medical malpractice. Wrongful death claims can also be made if a person dies from using a faulty product.

Who can file a wrongful death claim?

A wrongful death claim must be filed by the “real parties in interest.” Those people vary from state to state but may include immediate family members (spouse, children, parents, and life partner). If they can prove financial dependency on the victim, siblings, grandparents, and other distant family members may file a suit. Some states allow anyone who would suffer financially from the death to be able to bring a lawsuit against the responsible parties.

Who can be sued?

The list is equally as long. Individuals, companies, and government agencies can be considered at fault. This fault may be characterized as “negligent” – or failing to act how a reasonable person would have acted – or “intentional.”
Consider this scenario: a driver is killed on a faulty roadway by a drunk driver. A wrongful death suit may include the following defendants:

the driver of the other vehicle (and their company if they were driving while working)

the designer or builder of the faulty highway

the government agency that failed to provide adequate road warnings

the manufacturer, distributor, or installer of a part of the vehicle that caused the death

the individuals who sold or served alcohol to the drunk driver.

Who can help me with my wrongful death lawsuit in Kansas City?

As you can imagine, a lot goes into a wrongful death lawsuit, which is why it’s critical that you hire an experienced attorney.

Woods Law KC has been serving the residents of Kansas City for decades. Attorney Aaron Woods was born and raised in Independence, Missouri, and graduated from UMKC. He has made it his life’s mission to speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves.

Do you need to talk to an attorney about a recent death? Reach out to Woods Law today by filling out the contact form on the website or calling the office. Time is of the essence in wrongful death cases, so even if you have basic questions about the process – it’s important to ask those questions sooner rather than later.