St. Louis Wrongful Death Attorney | Ott Law Firm
Lost a family member due to someone else's negligence in St. Louis? Joseph Ott handles wrongful death claims with compassion and legal firepower. No fee unless we win.
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Selected Wrongful Death Recoveries
Real results from wrongful death claims handled by Ott Law Firm throughout the St. Louis metro.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different.
Wrongful Death Attorney Serving St. Louis, St. Louis City (Independent)
Ott Law Firm represents families throughout St. Louis and the surrounding communities of Clayton, Webster Groves, Maplewood, University City. Attorney Joseph Ott handles wrongful death claims in St. Louis City (Independent), with cases heard in the 22nd Judicial Circuit at the Carnahan Courthouse (1114 Market St, St. Louis, MO 63101).
Local Patterns in St. Louis
Wrongful death claims in St. Louis City arise most frequently from motor vehicle collisions on the I-70, I-64, and I-44 corridors, medical negligence at the city's major teaching hospitals, and workplace accidents at St. Louis's industrial facilities along the riverfront and in the South Broadway manufacturing corridor. The city's concentrated traffic, aging road infrastructure, and high volume of commercial vehicles create recurring fatal-crash patterns, particularly at the I-70/I-55 interchange and on Kingshighway where speed and pedestrian traffic collide. Families in St. Louis City pursue wrongful death claims through the 22nd Judicial Circuit — a court Ott Law Firm knows well.
Medical Care in St. Louis
Serious injuries and medical emergencies in St. Louis are typically treated at Barnes-Jewish Hospital (Washington University Medical Center) and SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital (SLU). Ott Law Firm coordinates with providers at these institutions to gather medical records, document your family member's treatment and injuries, and build the strongest possible case.
Filing Deadlines for St. Louis Residents
Missouri's wrongful death statute of limitations is three years from the date of death under RSMo 537.100 — strictly enforced with no exceptions. Do not wait — evidence deteriorates and witnesses become unavailable. Ott Law Firm recommends contacting an attorney as soon as possible after your family member's death to begin preserving the evidence your case depends on.
Related Practice Areas
Ott Law Firm handles a range of claims for St. Louis clients, including Personal Injury, Car Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Litigation. Cases from St. Louis are heard in the 22nd Judicial Circuit.
How Ott Law Firm Handles St. Louis Wrongful Death Attorney Cases
- Early investigation: We preserve all evidence of the negligence that caused your family member's death — including crash data, medical records, and expert analysis.
- Insurance company interface: We handle all communications with the defendant's insurer so you are not pressured into a recorded statement or an inadequate early settlement.
- Full damages documentation: Funeral costs, lost income, companionship, parental guidance, and the full economic impact of your loss are documented with expert support.
- Litigation when necessary: Ott Law Firm files suit in the 22nd Judicial Circuit and takes cases to trial when the insurer refuses a fair offer.
We handle wrongful death claims on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation. Call (314) 710-2740 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Serving St. Louis and the Surrounding Region
Our office is located at 75 W Lockwood Avenue in Webster Groves, Missouri — 15 minutes from St. Louis. We regularly appear in the 22nd Judicial Circuit and handle cases throughout St. Louis City (Independent). Clients from Clayton, Webster Groves, Maplewood, University City also bring their wrongful death claims to Ott Law Firm.
For comprehensive information on your type of case, see our Wrongful Death Attorney practice page and our St. Louis location page. For additional legal context relevant to your situation, our published articles may help:
- Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Missouri?
- Wrongful Death Damages in Missouri
- Wrongful Death in Car Accidents in Missouri
Free consultation: Call (314) 710-2740 or contact us online. No fee unless we win.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wrongful death claims arising from incidents in St. Louis City are filed in the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court at the Carnahan Courthouse, 1114 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63101. The 22nd Circuit handles all civil litigation for the independent city, which is separate from St. Louis County.
Missouri's wrongful death statute of limitations is three years from the date of death under RSMo 537.100. This deadline is strictly enforced — courts will dismiss late filings regardless of the circumstances. Contact Ott Law Firm immediately so we can preserve evidence and protect your family's rights.
Missouri law establishes a strict hierarchy under RSMo 537.080. First, the surviving spouse and children have priority. If there is no surviving spouse or children, the deceased's parents or siblings may file. In some cases, a court-appointed plaintiff ad litem brings the claim for all eligible beneficiaries. Getting the right party named as plaintiff matters — filing by the wrong family member can lead to dismissal.
Missouri wrongful death damages include medical expenses the deceased incurred before death, funeral and burial costs, lost income and financial support the family depended on, loss of companionship and consortium, parental guidance for minor children, and punitive damages in cases of egregious conduct. There is no statutory cap on wrongful death damages in Missouri.
Yes. Missouri follows a pure comparative fault standard. Your family can still recover wrongful death damages even if the deceased was partially responsible for the crash. The recovery is reduced by the deceased's percentage of fault — but it is never eliminated. Ott Law Firm fights insurance companies that aggressively try to inflate the deceased's share of fault to minimize their payout.
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