Webster Groves Personal Injury Attorney

Every accident that causes injuries is a tragedy, as it can change lives forever. Many of these accidents are also situations that give rise to legal liability.

If someone hurt you or took your loved one’s life because of carelessness, wrongdoing, or a failure to fulfill a legal obligation, that individual, business, or entity has a legal obligation to “make you whole.” You’ll need a Webster Groves personal injury attorney to help you pursue compensation through. 

Drafahl Law Firm represents clients in all kinds of personal injury claims and we bring our trial experience and negotiation skills to every case to maximize the chances of a fair outcome. Give us a call at (314) 300-6260 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation and find out more. 

A Webster Groves Personal Injury Attorney Offers The Legal Services You Need to Succeed in Your Claim

At Drafahl Law Firm, our firm offers key services you need to help you succeed in your claim including:

• Evidence collection: We gather the necessary evidence to make a strong case, including expert and eyewitness testimony, medical records, evidence from the injury scene, and more. 
• Legal strategizing: We choose the most sound legal arguments and put together the strongest claim to present to an insurer or to the court. We also assist in identifying all defendants when there are multiple parties to blame. 
• Negotiation and litigation: Whether your case is resolved in or out of court, we have the necessary experience to resolve your claim in the way that best provides you with fair compensation with a minimum of stress

Our long history of wins in personal injury claims, and the testimony of many past satisfied clients, show why placing your trust in our firm is the right move. 

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What Kinds of Personal Injury Claims Do Our Webster Groves Attorneys Help With?

More than a thousand people lost their lives in Missouri due to unintentional injuries in a single year, as reported by the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services. A Webster Groves personal injury lawyer at Drafahl Law Firm can represent you in many different kinds of claims including:

• All types of auto accident cases, or claims in which drivers are careless or violate the rules of the road and cause accidents.
• Pedestrian, motorcycle, and bike accident cases, usually involve careless drivers.
• Premises liability claims, which can include slip and falls and other situations where property owners fail to maintain safe premises and cause harm as a result. 
• Dog bite claims, in which dog owners are strictly liable for damages their dog causes after a bite (such as an infection) when they’re lawfully on public property. 
• Catastrophic injury cases, in which you’ve sustained life-changing injuries like brain or spinal cord damage. Collisions with large trucks can easily cause injuries such as these — contact a Webster Groves truck accident lawyer today to pursue compensation for damages.

These are just some of the many kinds of claims our firm has a successful track record in taking. We are there for the injured, and if someone hurts you, we can help. 

Injured in Webster Groves?

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What Compensation Can You Recover for Your Injuries?

Suffering an injury can turn your life upside down, but the law in Missouri lets you demand payment for a wide range of losses through a personal injury claim. Knowing what you can include makes it easier to fight for the full amount you’re owed. 

Medical Expenses and Other Out-of-Pocket Costs 

If you’ve needed medical treatment or have bills piling up, all injury-related costs can be claimed. This covers things like ambulance rides, ER charges, medication, hospital or specialist visits, surgeries, regular check-ups, and long-term health care if needed.

You could also be entitled to the following: 

• Transportation for medical visits
• Home modifications for disabilities
• Costs to replace or fix any damaged possessions
• Any wages you weren’t able to earn while healing
• Future pay if your ability to work has changed permanently 

Pain and Suffering 

Damages aren’t just about what you can show on paper. The stress, pain, and overall suffering you’ve felt after your injury deserves attention too. You can request payment for what’s harder to see, such as:

• Lingering pain that affects everyday activities
• Anxiety, depression, or trouble sleeping because of your accident
• Losing interest or ability to enjoy hobbies or family time
• Grief or loss tied to serious injuries or losing a loved one
• Impact on your relationships with your spouse or kids

Permanent Injury or Scarring 

If your accident changed your appearance or left a lasting mark – scars, burns, or the loss of a limb – the effect this has on your emotional health and confidence can be factored in. Disfigurement and other permanent setbacks are separate from regular pain and suffering because of the lifelong impact. 

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages serve a different function than other types of compensation in personal injury claims. Rather than compensating for a victim’s losses, these damages are designed to penalize a defendant whose conduct goes far beyond ordinary negligence. 

In Missouri, punitive damages are only available in limited and severe situations. To qualify, you must present clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with intentional harm, or with a conscious and flagrant disregard for the safety of others.

510.261.  Punitive damages, restrictions on award of — proper award, when — civil actions, initial pleading not to contain claim for punitive damage award. — 1.  Except as otherwise provided by statute, punitive damages shall not be awarded unless the claimant proves by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant intentionally harmed the plaintiff without just cause or acted with a deliberate and flagrant disregard for the safety of others.

There’s no set formula for what your case is worth. Each category requires strong evidence – receipts, doctor’s notes, witness statements, and documentation of pain and life changes all play a part.

Liability in Webster Groves a Personal Injury Case

Determining who is legally responsible after an accident in Webster Groves is one of the most important aspects of any personal injury claim. Who you can hold accountable depends on how the injury happened and the specific details of your case. These parties often include: 

Negligent Drivers 

If you’re involved in a motor vehicle accident, a negligent driver could be liable. If another driver wasn’t paying attention, broke a traffic law, or was under the influence and caused an accident, they could be held liable for any injuries that resulted. 

Property Owners and Managers 

Slips, trips, or falls often happen because property owners or businesses fail to keep their premises safe. Liable parties could include homeowners, landlords, business owners, or even the city if an accident was caused by icy sidewalks, poor lighting, broken stairs, or other neglected hazards.

Employers 

If an employee was performing work duties and their carelessness led to someone getting hurt, the employer may be on the hook as well. This includes delivery companies, contractors, restaurants, or any entity responsible for their team’s actions while on the job.

Product Manufacturers and Sellers 

Sometimes injuries occur because of unsafe or defective products. This could mean a defective car part, dangerous medication, or faulty children’s device. When that happens, companies that designed, made, or sold the product could be liable.

Government Entities 

If your injury was caused by a poorly maintained street, defective traffic signal, or a hazard at a public place, local government agencies might be responsible. There are special rules for making claims against the government, including strict timelines.

Liability can involve one person or many, depending on the facts. A lawyer can help figure out who might be responsible and how to build a case for compensation.

Does Missouri Tax Personal Injury Settlements

Generally, most compensation for physical injuries in Missouri- medical costs, pain, and suffering directly linked to your accident – is not considered taxable income at either the federal or state level.

However, there are a few exceptions to this rule that should be noted:

• Medical Expenses Previously Deducted: If you claimed a tax deduction in earlier years for medical expenses from your injury, any part of the settlement you receive to cover those costs must be reported as income. If deductions were spread over multiple years, then the settlement is divided among those years for tax purposes.
• Emotional and Mental Distress – Sometimes: Damages for mental anguish or emotional distress that stem directly from a physical injury are usually not taxable. But if you receive damages for emotional issues unrelated to physical harm – like work-related stress without physical injury – those would likely be taxed.
• Lost Income: Any settlement money that was for past or future lost wages may be subject to income tax, since this money replaces your regular earnings, which are normally taxable.
• Punitive Damages: Money meant to punish the at-fault party, rather than reimburse you, is generally taxable income. You’ll need to declare that amount on your tax return.

Tax law has many details and exceptions, especially when it comes to settlements. If you’re not sure how your settlement will be treated, consult a tax advisor or experienced injury attorney before you file your return or spend your money.

Call today for help with your claim

We don’t charge legal fees unless we win your case, and we always offer free consultations so you can learn what we can do for you.

Give us a call at (314) 300-6260 today or contact us online to schedule your consultation with a member of our legal team and find out about the compassionate advocacy we offer.