Wrongful Death Attorney in O’Fallon, MO

Serving O’Fallon Families in Wrongful Death Cases Since 1995

When a family member dies because of someone else’s negligence, the legal process shouldn’t add to the burden. At Coyne, Cundiff and Hillemann, PC, our wrongful death attorneys serve families throughout O’Fallon and St. Charles County, Missouri, with direct attorney involvement from the first call through resolution. We’ve been part of this legal community since 1995, and that continuity matters when you need a firm that knows the local courts, procedures, and how to pursue accountability from negligent parties.

Attorney Bradley Cundiff leads our personal injury practice, and our attorneys have recovered tens of millions of dollars for injured clients and grieving families across a broad range of personal injury cases. We represent wrongful death clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe no attorney fees unless the case results in a recovery for your family.

We offer free initial consultations for wrongful death matters. Call (636) 561-5599 to speak with our team about your family’s situation and what your legal options may be.

What Qualifies as a Wrongful Death Claim Under Missouri Law

Missouri Revised Statutes section 537.080 defines wrongful death broadly: any act, conduct, occurrence, transaction, or circumstance that would have entitled the deceased to bring a personal injury claim had they survived. In practice, that covers a wide range of situations.

Common causes of wrongful death claims in Missouri include fatal motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, workplace fatalities, premises liability incidents, and criminal acts. Missouri law designates who may bring the claim. The first eligible parties are the surviving spouse, children, or parents of the deceased. If none of those family members exist, the right passes to siblings or their descendants, and only if no such relatives exist may the court appoint a plaintiff ad litem. Only one wrongful death action may be filed per incident, regardless of how many eligible family members there are.

What Your Family Can Recover

Missouri wrongful death claims allow surviving family members to pursue two broad categories of compensation, and understanding both helps frame the damages a case may involve.

Economic Damages
These cover measurable financial losses: the deceased’s lost future income and benefits, funeral and burial expenses, and final medical bills incurred between the incident and death.

Non-Economic Damages
Missouri law also allows surviving family members to pursue compensation for loss of consortium, companionship, comfort, guidance, counsel, and support. These losses are real even though they don’t appear on a balance sheet.

Punitive Damages
In cases involving especially reckless or outrageous conduct, punitive damages may also be available under Missouri law.

Missouri doesn’t cap wrongful death compensation in most cases. The exception is wrongful death arising from medical malpractice, where state law caps noneconomic damages. We investigate each case thoroughly, gather supporting evidence, and work to pursue accountability from all liable parties across every available category of loss. One critical deadline governs these claims: under RSMo 537.100, families have three years from the date of death to file. Missing that deadline can bar your family’s claim entirely.

Why O’Fallon Families Work with Coyne, Cundiff and Hillemann, PC

Larger regional firms often route clients through paralegals for day-to-day case management. Our approach is different. Clients work directly with our attorneys on substantive legal matters throughout the entire case, which means clearer communication, faster answers, and a relationship built on genuine accountability.

• 30-plus years in St. Charles County: We’ve operated continuously in this community since 1995, with deep familiarity with the St. Charles County Circuit Court and the local legal landscape that comes from sustained presence.
• 117 years of collective experience: Our attorney team brings substantial combined experience across personal injury, wrongful death, and related practice areas.
• Trial-ready advocacy: When insurance companies won’t offer fair terms, our trial attorneys are prepared to take the case to the St. Charles County Circuit Court and advocate assertively on your family’s behalf.
• Recognized in the community: Coyne, Cundiff and Hillemann, PC has been named the Best Local Law Firm by the St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce and is a top-voted firm by the St. Charles County Journal.
• Individualized strategy: Every wrongful death case is different. We build a strategy around your family’s specific facts, circumstances, and goals rather than applying a standard template.

Talk to a Wrongful Death Lawyer in O’Fallon at No Cost

You don’t have to navigate Missouri’s wrongful death process alone, and you don’t need money up front to get started. We take wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis: no attorney fees are owed unless the case results in a recovery for your family.

Contact Coyne, Cundiff and Hillemann, PC by phone or through our online form to schedule a free consultation with our O’Fallon wrongful death attorneys. Call (636) 561-5599 to get started.