FAQs

A parent, legal guardian, or court-appointed conservator will sign off on a personal injury settlement involving a child. In addition, any settlements above $35,000 must be reviewed and approved by a judge. This amount increases periodically according to the Consumer Price Index.

Yes. The state of Missouri pauses the filing deadline for a lawsuit involving a minor, which does not begin tolling until that child turns 21. That means you have until your 26th birthday to file an injury lawsuit.

Even though you have time to seek legal action, it’s best to speak with a child injury attorney in Kansas City as soon as possible.

In some cases, yes. The state of Missouri permits spouses to sue for a separate loss of consortium claim following a serious debilitating injury. The loss of consortium claim addresses changes in a relationship due to a catastrophic injury, such as the loss of intimacy or affection, the inability to participate as a partner or parent, and loss of companionship.

Our lawyers can discuss the potential for a loss of consortium and how much your claim could be worth as we build the catastrophic injury case.

If you suffer a catastrophic injury or severe medical condition at work, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. In addition to the wage replacement and medical coverage through workers’ comp, you may also be able to file a third-party injury claim against a negligent party.

For anyone badly hurt on the job here in Kansas City, our catastrophic injury attorneys can review what happened and help identify all potential avenues for compensation based on your situation.

This varies from person to person, but here are the basics when estimating future costs of care.

• What Life Looks Like at Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI): Doctors will wait until your condition has stabilized before they make any assessment of your future needs.
• Consulting with a Certified Life-Care Planner: Once you’ve reached MMI, a life-care planner can take an exhaustive inventory of what you’ll require going forward. This covers everything from surgery and health needs to home renovations and periodic replacement of assistive devices.
• Estimating Adjustments for Inflation: Since catastrophic injuries can impact the rest of someone’s life, life-care planners will take inflation into account so you can continue to receive good care with your compensation over time.

That depends on a wide range of factors. While we can’t estimate the value of your catastrophic injury claim with a full assessment, here’s what affects compensation you may receive:

• The severity of your injuries
• Your long-term medical care needs
• Whether you need in-house care after your injury
• Home renovations and other disability accommodations
• Loss of future earnings because of an inability to work
• Overall quality of life after the injury

Our catastrophic injury attorneys in Kansas City can help you learn how much your claim is worth and seek maximum compensation.

This really depends on the facts of the nursing home abuse case. Our Kansas City elder abuse lawyers will carefully review any medical bills, future care needs, financial records, bank statements, and other evidence of mistreatment or exploitation when determining the value of your claim.

Missouri and Kansas investigators use a combination of tactics to address allegations of nursing home abuse, neglect, or exploitation, including:

• Unannounced visits to the assisted-living facility or senior community
• Interviews with staff members and administrators
• Interviews with residents at the facility
• Reviews of resident medical records
• Reviews of maintenance and care records at the facility

Investigators may also consider documents and evidence you may have regarding your elder abuse complaint. Our Kansas City nursing home neglect attorneys can help you gather the right documentation to hold the perpetrators of abuse accountable.

While nursing home residents are protected from retaliation by Missouri law, there is a risk of your loved one being the target of a retaliatory action. This may include being discharged by the nursing home or being moved to a hospital or other medical facility.

Nursing homes must provide a written discharge or transfer notice that explains why they are taking this action and the effective date. As soon as you receive that notice, contact the Missouri Long-Term Care Ombudsman and discuss the appeal process.

Potentially, yes. This is a concern we hear from many family members. If you feel that your loved one might be harmed because of a complaint or that the well-being of other residents is in jeopardy, call 911 so local law enforcement can address any immediate safety threats.