st. Louis Wrongful Death Attorney attorney

a Wrongful Death Attorney who Seeks Compensation for Tragic Losses

Donna Clark Frayne is a St. Louis, Missouri wrongful death lawyer who seeks justice for your grieving family

Unfortunately, negligent accidents sometimes cause the death of an innocent person. Surviving family members, in addition to their grief, must shoulder debts from medical and funeral expenses, as well as financial stress from the loss of a provider’s income. In such cases, an experienced wrongful death attorney can assist the family in obtaining compensation to pay for these, as well as noneconomic losses. The Law Office of Donna Clark Frayne has more than 20 years’ experience representing families in connection with the wrongful death of their loved ones. We can assist you in investigating and filing a claim against the person or persons at fault and recover what you are entitled.

What type of damages are available for wrongful death claims in Missouri?

Under Missouri law, whenever any act or occurrence which would have entitled a person to recover damages for personal injury instead results in death, a representative of the deceased can file a claim for wrongful death. Damages available in a wrongful death lawsuit include economic losses, such as lost income over the expected lifetime of the victim and funeral and burial expenses. Noneconomic damages are also available. These are assessed as “the reasonable value of” the following:

  • Services
  • Consortium
  • Training
  • Instruction
  • Guidance
  • Counsel
  • Support
  • Companionship

Understanding the court and wrongful death cases

The court can also award damages for the suffering of the deceased from the time of the injury event up to death. But damages stemming from the loved ones’ grief and bereavement are not recoverable. The law has some complex wrinkles depending on the status of the deceased, with regards to unemployment, disability and youth.

Experience to manage a wide array of wrongful death accidents

At the Law Office of Donna Clark Frayne, we provide a full range of legal services to handle your wrongful death claim. We thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the accident to identify the precise cause and prove liability against all responsible parties. Our experience with catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases involving various causes, such as medical malpractice and automobile, motorcycle and truck accidents, put us in a strong position to pursue your claim. Though no amount of monetary compensation is ever sufficient, we help you fight for the maximum amount possible under the facts of your case. You will be shown compassion and provided with resources to help you deal with your profound losses.

How many wrongful death claims can I file?

In the matter of a wrongful death case, only one lawsuit can be filed. So, regardless of how many family members have standing to sue, the law requires that all claims for the same wrongful death be settled in a single action. So, it is extremely important that a unified effort is made both in and out of the courtroom when filing for wrongful death. Even though the death may have made an impact on the lives of many, only one case, settlement, or verdict is allowed by the courts of Missouri.

This is why hiring an experienced personal injury attorney is so important. If your attorney does not provide the proper legal counsel, the compensation you deserve may be missed. It certainly helps that action when all parties have faith in the lawyer retained to manage their case. Attorney Donna Clark Frayne has a reputation for integrity, compassion and zealous representation.

What can cause a wrongful death lawsuit?

Any situation that causes the death of a loved one is grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit. If an accident or negligence leads to a death, someone is likely liable from a lawsuit. Some of the common examples of a wrongful death lawsuit include:

  • A negligent truck driver causes a crash leading to the death of a passenger, a pedestrian, or another driver on the road.
  • A negligent, distracted, drunk, or inexperienced driver causes a car accident that leads to a death.
  • On the job injuries, also filed under workers’ compensation claims, can also be liable for a wrongful death lawsuit. If an employer or company’s negligence leads to the death of one of its employees, the family members of that employee have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
  • Medical malpractice lawsuits, a lot of times, lead to the death of a patient. Doctors, hospitals, nurses, or even pharmacies can be held responsible if they cause an accident, or their negligent behavior, leads to a death.

Someone I loved has been killed due to an accident or negligence, what do I do now?

Losing a loved one is never easy. It is a horrible part of life that leads to grief and sorrow.  Filing a wrongful death lawsuit is one of the most difficult experiences for someone to be dealt. No amount of money or verdict can take away the pain of losing someone you love, but you can’t let it ruin your life. Besides the obvious emotional distress, the monetary impact of losing the compensation your lost love one contributed, adds an extra burden to your life.

Donna Clark Frayne is a truly caring attorney. She wants to help make your wrongful death lawsuit go as smoothly as possible. Donna wants to relive as much pressure as possible so you can start your rebuilding process.

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