Typical Wrongful Death Settlements in Missouri

By James Roswold | September 29, 2025

Typical Wrongful Death Settlements in MissouriLosing someone you love is a shattering experience. The grief can feel overwhelming, and then you are faced with financial questions you never wanted to ask. You are probably here because you are searching for answers about what the average wrongful death settlement in Missouri is, hoping for a number that can bring some clarity.

The average wrongful death settlement amount in Missouri is $950,000. This figure balances lower-value cases (around $500,000) with the multi-million-dollar verdicts that occur in catastrophic loss or corporate negligence situations.

This is not like looking up the price of a car; it is about understanding the value of what was taken from you. Our guide can help you understand what goes into building a wrongful death claim. You will learn what factors matter, what types of compensation are available, and why your family’s story is the most important part of the entire process.

Table of Contents:

Understanding Wrongful Death in Missouri

Before we can talk about settlements, it helps to know what a wrongful death actually is according to Missouri law. A wrongful death claim arises when a person dies due to the negligence or misconduct of another person or company. It is essentially a personal injury case that the deceased person could have filed if they had survived the incident.

In a Missouri wrongful death case, not just anyone can file this type of lawsuit. The law specifies who has the right to bring a claim, typically starting with the closest family members. Missouri law outlines that the spouse, children, or parents of the deceased are the first in line to file.

If none of these individuals exist, then a sibling might be able to file. If there are no siblings, the court may appoint a personal representative to file the claim on behalf of the estate. The role of the personal representative is to act in the best interests of the surviving family members.

It is also critical to know that you are on a clock. Missouri has a time limit, called a statute of limitations, for filing a personal injury lawsuit of this nature. You generally have three years from the date of the person’s death to file, so it is important to contact a wrongful death attorney to understand your rights sooner rather than later.

Average Wrongful Death Settlement in Missouri

You’ll notice that we list an estimated average wrongful death settlement in Missouri—about $950,000, with a median closer to $500,000–$600,000. These numbers are based on reported Missouri verdicts and settlements and are meant to give families a general idea of what these cases can be worth. Still, averages can be misleading if taken at face value. Large verdicts can push the average higher, while many cases settle for amounts well below $1 million.

It’s important to remember that no two wrongful death cases are alike. The financial impact of losing a 30-year-old doctor with three young children will be vastly different from the loss of an 80-year-old retiree with no dependents. Both are devastating, but the legal calculation considers factors like lost future income, medical bills, and the family’s needs. Your case will be built from the ground up, reflecting your family’s unique losses rather than a generic statewide average.

What Factors Determine a Settlement Amount?

How is a settlement figure reached? It is done by carefully calculating all the losses your family has experienced. These losses are generally broken down into two main categories: economic and non-economic damages, and in rare wrongful death cases, punitive damages.

Damage Type What It Covers
Economic Damages Tangible, financial losses that can be calculated with receipts and pay stubs.
Non-Economic Damages Intangible losses related to the emotional and personal impact of the death.

Economic Damages: The Financial Losses

Economic damages are the most straightforward part of the equation. They represent the actual money that has been lost or spent because of the wrongful death. This includes things that are easy to add up, supported by documentation.

One of the biggest factors is lost income. A wrongful death lawyer will work with experts to project the earnings your loved one would have provided for the rest of their working life. This calculation considers their age, profession, education, and potential for promotions or raises, all to establish a clear picture of future financial loss.

Other economic damages include:

  • Medical expenses from the final injury or illness leading to death.
  • Funeral and burial expenses, which can easily exceed thousands of dollars.
  • The value of lost benefits, like health insurance or a pension.
  • The loss of inheritance for surviving children.

Non-Economic Damages: The Human Cost

This is where a settlement truly tries to account for the human element of your loss. You cannot put a price on love, guidance, and companionship, but the legal system does its best to provide compensation for these immense losses. These damages are harder to calculate but are just as real as any medical bill in an injury case.

Non-economic damages cover things like the immense emotional suffering experienced by surviving family members. They account for the pain and suffering your loved one experienced before they passed away. It also includes your family’s mental anguish and grief following the loss.

For a surviving spouse, this includes the loss of companionship, comfort, and society. For a surviving child, this covers the devastating loss of guidance, instruction, and nurturing. Because these damages are subjective, they are often the most heavily debated part of wrongful death claims, especially when dealing with insurance companies.

Punitive Damages: Punishing the Wrongdoer

In some rare cases involving particularly reckless behavior, you might also be able to claim punitive damages. These are not designed to compensate your family for a loss. Instead, their purpose is to punish the person or company responsible for their extremely reckless or intentional actions and to deter others from acting the same way.

Missouri law places strict limits on when punitive damages can be awarded. You have to prove with clear and convincing evidence that the defendant showed a complete indifference to or a conscious disregard for the safety of others. This might apply in a Missouri truck accident where a company knowingly used faulty brakes or a drunk driving auto accident.

Because the standard is so high, punitive damages are not a part of most wrongful death settlements. A death lawyer can evaluate the circumstances of the death case to determine if pursuing this type of legal action is viable. It is an aggressive step often reserved for the most egregious wrongful death cases.

How Comparative Fault Can Affect Your Settlement

Another important legal concept in Missouri that can influence settlement figures is called comparative fault. This rule applies when the deceased person may have been partially responsible for the accident that caused their death. Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system, which is very forgiving to plaintiffs.

Under this rule, you can still receive compensation even if your loved one was partially at fault. However, the total amount of damages the jury awarded will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to your loved one. For example, in a motorcycle accident, if a county jury determines the total damages are $1 million but finds the deceased rider was 30% at fault, the surviving family members would typically receive settlement funds totaling $700,000.

Insurance companies often use comparative fault as a tactic to reduce the amount they have to pay on death claims. They might argue your loved one was speeding, not paying attention, or otherwise contributed to the accident case. A skilled wrongful death attorney from a reputable law firm will be prepared to fight these allegations and protect your right to fair compensation.

Real-World Scenarios Show the Wide Range

Let’s look at a few hypothetical examples to see how different the outcomes can be. These are not real cases, but they show why an “average” does not work when evaluating wrongful death claims. Each injury lawsuit has its own set of facts.

Imagine a 40-year-old construction worker is killed on the job due to faulty equipment. He was the sole provider for his wife and two young children. A settlement here would need to account for decades of lost wages, the loss of a father and husband, and the children’s loss of their father’s guidance for the rest of their lives. The economic damages alone in this Missouri personal injury case could easily reach into the high six or seven figures.

Now, consider the tragic death of a 75-year-old retired woman in a slip and fall at a grocery store. She was living on a pension and her children were grown adults with their own families. While the emotional loss for her children is immense, the economic damages are much lower. The settlement would focus more on her medical bills, funeral costs, and the non-economic loss of her companionship for her adult children.

Finally, think about cases involving medical malpractice. If a surgeon’s error leads to the death of a young, unmarried professional with no children, the economic damages would be significant based on lifetime earning potential. However, the non-economic damages related to loss of companionship or parental guidance would be different than in the case of the construction worker. As you can see, both are heartbreaking situations, but the financial calculations are dramatically different.

How Insurance Limits Can Change Everything

There is another huge piece of the puzzle that often gets overlooked: insurance coverage. In most accident cases, a wrongful death settlement is paid by an insurance company, not by the at-fault person directly. And every insurance policy has a limit, which can severely cap what you receive compensation for.

A person might cause a fatal truck accident and be responsible for millions of dollars in damages. But if they only have a $100,000 insurance policy, that may be the most the insurance company will ever pay. This is a harsh reality that can have a massive impact on the final settlement amount.

An experienced wrongful death attorney will investigate all possible sources of recovery. This can include looking for umbrella policies, company insurance in a Missouri truck case, or even your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage if the death was caused by a car accident. This thorough investigation is key to maximizing what your family can recover before a case settled.

The Negotiation Process Matters

Getting a fair settlement is not automatic. It comes from a detailed investigation, strong evidence, and skilled negotiation from a death attorney. An insurance company’s first offer is almost never its best offer. They have adjusters and lawyers whose job is to pay out as little as possible.

Your attorney’s job is to build a personal injury case so strong that the insurance company knows it is better to offer a fair settlement than to risk losing a much larger amount at trial. This involves gathering evidence, consulting experts, and presenting a compelling argument for why your family deserves the full value of the claim. This process shows why you need a dedicated wrongful death lawyer.

This back-and-forth negotiation can take time. It requires patience, but it is a necessary part of making sure your family’s loss is properly valued and respected. If a fair agreement cannot be reached, your law firm must be prepared to take the case to court, where a county jury awarded damages might far exceed what the insurer offered.

Conclusion

Life after losing a loved one is incredibly difficult, and the legal questions only add to the stress. The search for an average wrongful death settlement Missouri comes from a place of needing answers and stability during an unstable time. While a single number does not exist, understanding the factors that build a wrongful death case can give you a much clearer picture.

Your family’s story, your financial losses, and the deep emotional impact of your loved one’s absence are what truly matter. Each of these elements helps define the value of your claim, making it as distinct as the person you have lost. From understanding economic damages to fighting against claims of comparative fault, the process requires careful attention to detail.

Ultimately, a Missouri wrongful death settlement is about securing your family’s future and holding the responsible party accountable. Working with a compassionate and experienced law firm ensures that your story is told and that you have the best possible chance to receive the compensation you deserve. It allows you to focus on healing while a professional handles the legal fight.

If you or someone you know has lost a loved one and would like to pursue compensation, call us (816) 441-4228 or engage with our chat for a free, no obligation case evaluation. Our compassionate team is standing by to help.

Posted in Wrongful Death