Those left behind are left to deal with an uncertain future, beginning with the five stages of grief: Denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Understandably, pursuing justice is often not on the minds of family members dealing with such trauma amid funeral arrangements and economic uncertainty.
However, failure to consult an experienced wrongful death attorney in Wichita can forever impact a family’s future. In many cases, unrepresented loved ones never regain the quality of life or standard of living they enjoyed before a tragedy.
Frequently, an insurance company will move quickly, and seemingly with compassion and professionalism, to attempt to settle these cases. Often offering to pay the policy limits, or otherwise indicating to a family that the offer is for the maximum amount available. Accepting an offer or signing documents can significantly reduce or eliminate a family’s ability to collect all of the compensation to which they are entitled.
At Riedmiller, Andersen and Scott LLC, our veteran Wichita wrongful death lawyers believe victims and families deserve immediate access to experienced legal help without concerns over upfront costs or other barriers that would otherwise put them at a disadvantage when dealing with large insurance corporations and their attorneys. That’s why we offer confidential consultations and accept clients on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid only when we are successful in winning compensation for you and your family.
Kan. Stat. § 60-1901 permits certain surviving family members to file a claim against at-fault parties when “the death of a person is caused by the wrongful act or omission of another.” The law allows a wrongful death claim in Wichita to be brought under any circumstance in which a victim could have pursued a personal injury lawsuit had he or she survived.
Common causes of wrongful death lawsuits in Kansas include:
A wrongful death claim can be pursued by a surviving spouse, surviving children, surviving parents or grandparents, or surviving siblings. It’s important to note, under Kan. Stat. § 60-1902, that awarded damages are for the benefit of all eligible surviving relatives, regardless of whether they participated in the lawsuits.
Wrongful death damages can include:
While both economic and non-economic damages can be pursued, it’s important to note that non-economic damages are capped under Kansas law at $250,000. There is no cap on economic damages. This makes your choice of a wrongful death attorney in Wichita a crucial decision. Choosing a law firm with the necessary resources and experience to build a case for economic damages, including the future value of lost wages, promotions and the impact of inflation, is vital to building a comprehensive claim for damages that is capable of winning all of the compensation to which a family is entitled under Kansas law.
The veteran Wichita wrongful death lawyers at Riedmiller, Andersen and Scott LLC represent injury victims and their families in Wichita, Kansas and the surrounding areas, including Valley Center, Park City, Kechi, Bel Aire, Eastbourough, Andover, Derby, Newton, El Dorado, Arkansas City, Winfield, Haysville, Goddard and Maize. For a confidential consultation to discuss your rights call 316-648-1369