Kansas City Wrongful Death Attorneys

Compassionate Support in Your Time of Need

No amount of money makes up for the death a loved one. An admission or jury finding of negligence doesn’t cure the grief and anger. Yet a wrongful death lawsuit is for the survivors, to compensate for the personal and economic losses and to hold the negligent parties to justice for their careless or reckless actions.

The law firm of Dempsey & Kingsland, P.C. handles wrongful death litigation resulting from motor vehicle accidents and other negligence. Our wrongful death attorneys have obtained notable verdicts and settlements for a variety of cases. We practice personal injury in the Kansas City area and surrounding counties of Missouri and Kansas.

Contact us today for a free initial consultation if you lost a spouse, child, or parent to a preventable accident. Call (816) 484-3776.

Compensation in Wrongful Death Cases

Although each case is different, plaintiffs in wrongful death cases may be able to receive compensation for:

Funeral and burial costs

Loss of the future earnings of the deceased

Loss of household and family services provided by the deceased, including housework, yard work, child care, training, tutoring, care of elderly parents and more

Loss of nonpecuniary consortium, companionship, comfort, guidance, counsel, love, and support

The victim’s conscious pain and suffering and medical expenses before death

Kansas and Missouri have different wrongful death laws. Our lawyers advise clients about the specific provisions of statutes in each state. We have the knowledge, tools, and experience to build strong cases and help clients obtain justice after a devastating loss.

Who May File a Wrongful Death Claim in Kansas City?

State laws determine which parties may file a wrongful death claim:

Missouri: Missouri law allows surviving spouses, children, and grandchildren of the deceased to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Parents of deceased minor children may also qualify. Siblings are only permitted to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Missouri if the deceased party had no other surviving parents, spouses, children, or grandchildren.

Missouri law allows surviving spouses, children, and grandchildren of the deceased to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Parents of deceased minor children may also qualify. Siblings are only permitted to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Missouri if the deceased party had no other surviving parents, spouses, children, or grandchildren. Kansas: In Kansas, wrongful death claims are brought by the deceased person's estate for the benefit of their "heirs at law," or those who "take by intestate succession (without a will) under Kansas statues." For example, if the deceased left a surviving spouse, but no children, all property passes to the spouse by intestate succession. In this situation, the surviving spouse would be considered an heir at law. It is best to consult with a knowledgeable Kansas City wrongful death attorney to determine how this provision applies to your specific case.

How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Kansas City?

It is important to remember that like any lawsuit, wrongful death claims must be filed within a certain time period in order to be heard by the courts. This is known as a "statute of limitations." If the statute of limitations period passes and you have not yet filed a claim, you will essentially lose you right to sue and will be unable to pursue compensation for your loved one's death. Since complying with the statute of limitations can ultimately make or break your wrongful death claim, it is important to act fast and get an attorney involved early on in your case.

Missouri: The statute of limitations for wrongful death in Missouri is three years from the date of death.

The statute of limitations for wrongful death in Missouri is from the date of death. Kansas: The statute of limitations for wrongful death in Kansas is two years from the date of death.

The statute of limitations may sometimes be extended or "tolled" in rare circumstances where the negligence leading to the deceased person's death was concealed or otherwise unknown. An attorney can review the circumstances of your case and help you understand how the statute of limitations applies to your claim.

Fighting Back Against the Insurance Company

Insurance companies often balk at large damages for the noneconomic aspects – such as loss of companionship, pain, and suffering – so we prepare claims from the start as if we will have to convince a jury. Law partners Lee Dempsey and Bob Kingsland are accomplished trial lawyers who each bring more than 25 years of experience to your wrongful death case. They are skilled at adding value to settlements through the use of experts, decades of accumulated knowledge, and by not caving in when insurers try to draw the line.

Work with Dempsey & Kingsland

Our Kansas City wrongful death attorneys are here to counsel you about the legal process and discuss the calculations that make up a wrongful death claim. We understand that many clients are concerned that they will be unable to take care of their families if the deceased was the breadwinner. Others may worry about paying for child care or acquiring the skills needed to return to the workforce. We offer you the answers to questions such as these, helping you understand your options and offering you new perspectives about your future.

Get in touch with us today to schedule a free consultation. Call (816) 484-3776.