Wrongful Death Claims Arise After a Fatal Accident from a Dangerous Property Condition in Kansas City, MO

Property Owners Have Duty Under Missouri & Kansas Law

Under both Kansas and Missouri law, property owners have a legal duty to keep their property safe for guests, visitors and customers. A property owner's failure to take reasonable steps to remedy or warn others of dangerous conditions can result in that property owner being legally responsible for any injuries or damages that result.  

The worst possible outcome of such accidents from dangerous property conditions is the death of a loved one. If this occurs, the surviving family members have the right to recover compensation through a wrongful death claim.

The area of law in Kansas and Missouri that places this duty on property owners is often referred to as "Premises Liability."  Premises liability cases can arise in a variety of types of properties, including those owned and operated by businesses, such as hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, swimming pools and apartment complexes, as well as individual private residences.

Common Dangerous Property Conditions in Kansas City

Below are some examples of negligence by property owners that can result in dangerous conditions and potentially fatal injuries:

• Failure to provide sufficient security at a business, such as a hotel, apartment complex, restaurant or school;
• Failure to properly fence or secure a swimming pool, to staff the pool with trained lifeguards, or to provide life-saving devices to prevent a drowning;
• Failure to maintain common areas, walkways, stairwells or guardrails to prevent a fall or other injury;
• Failure to provide adequate lighting, cameras or other devices to prevent injury;
• Failure to ensure merchandise on shelves are stacked or other equipment on walls is secured safely so that they do not fall off; and
• Failure to remove ice or snow off common areas, walkways or other areas outside a retail store.

It is important to note that the legal doctrine of comparative fault often comes into play in premises liability cases.  This law can be raised as a defense by the property owner if they are able to argue that the injured party somehow shared in the fault.  This can reduce or even eliminate the right to recover damages.

In addition,  the property owner may have other defenses, such as the lack of sufficient time or notice to correct or remedy the dangerous condition.  For instance, if a person falls on a liquid in the milk aisle at the grocery store, the store owner’s liability may depend on how long the spill was present at the spot.  If the spill was caused by another customer just minutes before the fall, the property owner may be able to avoid liability.  However, if the milk had been there for a long time and no efforts were made to clean it up, liability may arise.

Proving Property Owner Liability in a Wrongful Death Claim

If a person has suffered a fatal injury on someone else's property, the family survivors may have the right to file a wrongful death claim against the property owner to recover damages. To file a wrongful death claim, you need to be able to prove four elements:

1. The property owner had a legal duty to keep the property reasonably safe for the deceased;
2. The property owner failed in that duty;
3. The death occurred on the property due to the owner's failure to keep it safe; and
4. The survivors of the deceased suffered damages because of the death.

As mentioned above, the property owner may be able to assert defenses to a wrongful death claim. As a result, it is critical in wrongful death cases arising from premises liability that:

• a prompt investigation is completed of the accident,
• any important details and evidence are documented and preserved, and
• statements from witnesses and other parties, such as experts, occur as soon as possible.  

Our experienced wrongful death attorney will be able to help you understand your rights and the legal process for presenting your claim for recovering damages.

How to Build a Strong Premises Liability Claim in Missouri & Kansas

As with any legal claim, the success of a premises liability case against a negligent property owner will depend on the type and quality of evidence that is available to support your wrongful death claim. For example, a wrongful death that occurs due to a dangerous property condition, such as an unattended swimming pool, improperly stack object, or slick walkway will be much stronger if it is supported by the video footage or witness statements that show how the accident happened. In addition, photographs and police reports that were taken at the scene are also important.  

Types of evidence that may support your legal claim may include:

• Medical records and bills
• Expert testimony on the dangers inherent in property condition and/or the cause of death
• Autopsy reports
• Police reports and photographs were taken at the scene of the accident
• Video surveillance footage

Damages Available in a Wrongful Death Claim in Kansas or Missouri

In a wrongful death claim, survivors of the deceased may be eligible to recover a variety of damages, such as:

• Lost wages of the deceased
• Compensation for lost benefits
• Loss of companionship, comfort, and care 
• Funeral and burial expenses
• The deceased’s medical expenses before the death

There are some differences in the types and amounts of damages you are permitted to recover for wrongful death under Kansas and Missouri law.  This is another reason you should contact a skilled wrongful death lawyer who is knowledgeable about the state laws at issue.

Call our Kansas City Wrongful Death Lawyer

If you have lost a loved one in an accident on someone else's property and have questions about your legal rights, please know that we are truly sorry for your loss.  Please know that you are not alone.  Our Kansas City wrongful death law firm has helped others navigate the legal process in both Kansas and Missouri, and we are here for you.  

Please call our law firm at 816-203-0143, or fill out the form below. Our Kansas City wrongful death lawyer is ready to hear your story, listen to your concerns, and provide a free, no-obligation consultation about your case.