Sedalia Wrongful Death Attorney

Representing Pettis County Families Since 1951

When a loved one dies because of another party’s negligence, the financial and emotional weight on the surviving family is immediate. Missouri law gives surviving family members the right to pursue compensation, but the window to act is limited and the process is unforgiving to those who wait. At Kempton & Russell, we have represented clients in Sedalia and throughout Pettis County since 1951, recovering tens of millions of dollars for families who needed an attorney prepared to stand up to major insurers, corporate defendants, and other well-funded opponents.

Wrongful death claims arise when a person dies as a result of another party’s negligent, reckless, or wrongful conduct. Under Missouri law, surviving family members have the right to seek compensation for both their financial and emotional losses. We handle wrongful death cases arising from car accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, and defective products. Every client works directly with their chosen attorney from initial consultation through the conclusion of the case. Cases aren’t passed to paralegals or associates.

Did you lose a loved one due to someone else’s negligence? Kempton & Russell can provide the support and guidance you need during this difficult time. Call us at (660) 722-4115 for a free consultation.

Missouri’s Three-Year Deadline for Wrongful Death Claims

Under RSMo §537.100, a wrongful death lawsuit must be filed within three years of the date of death, not the date of the underlying accident or injury. If a loved one survived an injury for days or weeks before passing, the clock begins when death occurs. This deadline is firm. Grief, ongoing settlement negotiations, and delays in obtaining medical examiner reports don’t pause it. Missing the deadline by even a single day will almost certainly result in permanent dismissal, regardless of how clear the wrongdoing was.

This three-year deadline is distinct from Missouri’s five-year general personal injury statute under RSMo §516.120. Families where one member was killed and another was injured in the same accident face two different filing deadlines. If a government entity such as a city or county is involved, Missouri law may impose shorter notice requirements that run well before the three-year period expires. Narrow exceptions exist, such as when a defendant has been absent from Missouri, but these should never be treated as a fallback. Early consultation with a wrongful death lawyer in Sedalia is one reliable way to protect the family’s right to file.

Protecting Your Financial Future After a Loss

If your loved one was the primary wage earner, concern about your financial future is entirely reasonable. Our attorneys work with financial planners and economic experts to assess the full monetary value of your losses, so your claim can account for everything you’ll need now and down the road.

Under RSMo §537.090, recoverable damages can include lost income and benefits, the value of household services, funeral and burial expenses, medical expenses from the final injury, and non-economic losses such as loss of consortium, companionship, comfort, guidance, counsel, and support. Lost services including childcare, eldercare, and home maintenance are frequently underestimated. We work to account for those losses in your claim.