FAQs

Yes. Criminal prosecution is not necessary to file a civil wrongful death claim for damages. 

Reach out to an attorney as soon as possible after the fatal incident. The team at CPY Law can assess the situation and determine the best path forward in the fight ahead.

You can still seek compensation even if you discovered someone was liable for the death months later.

Missouri does not have a discovery rule, so you will still have three years to file a wrongful death lawsuit starting on the date of your loved one’s death. It’s best to speak with our Kansas City wrongful death attorneys as soon as possible.

Yes, you can seek compensation from a driver if your loved one was riding in the vehicle and killed in a car crash. This applies to rideshare drivers for companies Uber and Lyft as well as normal commuters. The at-fault driver’s liability coverage will be the primary source of compensation.

These kinds of claims can be complicated if you know the at-fault driver or if you have to deal with complex insurance matters involving rideshare companies. Our attorneys can help you navigate these issues, no matter what they may be.

If you’ve lost a loved one due to an on-the-job injury or a work-related illness, you should take these steps:

• Make sure your loved one’s employer has reported the fatality.
• Preserve any evidence relevant to the fatal workplace incident, such as photos, videos, texts, emails, witness accounts, and any correspondence about working conditions.
• Inquire about workers’ comp death benefits and survivor benefits that could assist your household.
• Speak with an attorney about the death of your loved one.

A third party could be held liable for the death of your loved one, and our lawyers can help you seek compensation through a wrongful death claim.

The cost of a wrongful death attorney in Missouri can vary by firm and the nature of the case. Factors that affect the legal fees include the complexity of the fatal incident, how long it takes to reach a resolution, and fee structures that are specific to a given law firm.

At CPY Law, you will not be charged anything upfront. Initial consultations with our Kansas City wrongful death lawyers are free. Our law firm also operates on a contingency fee basis. That means you only pay if we can secure a settlement or favorable verdict for you.

If we secure a monetary award, our fee is a percentage of the compensation obtained. This is one of many ways that we hold ourselves accountable to our clients.

Not always. Although purchase documentation can be helpful, there are often other ways to identify the item and establish ownership or use of a defective product. Our Kansas City lawyers can help seek additional evidence and documentation that can help in your legal claim.

That fact may be significant in product liability claims. Many product liability cases involve injuries that occurred during normal or reasonably foreseeable use.

While this detail is significant, it does not rule out the possibility of filing a legal claim. During a free, no-obligation consultation at CPY Law, we can review the facts of what happened, the nature of your injuries, and determine whether or not you have a case worth pursuing.

Potentially, yes.

Depending on the circumstances, responsibility may involve the manufacturer, component supplier, distributor, retailer, or another party in the chain of distribution. Multiple parties can be held accountable for their role in a product’s safety if said product caused injury or illness.

Generally, no. Preserving the product may be extremely important. If it can be done safely, avoid altering or disposing of the defective or recalled item until you have spoken with our product liability attorneys in Kansas City.

Yes. Many valid product liability claims involve products that were never recalled. Similarly, a recall does not guarantee you have a legal claim against the company responsible for the recalled product.

Our Kansas City lawyers can review the defective product recall, the nature of your injuries, and other factors during the consultation process. We will let you know whether you have a valid claim and what steps to take next.