Losing a loved one is one of the most painful experiences a person can endure. When that loss is due to someone else’s negligence, grief is often compounded by a deep sense of injustice. At Cook, Barkett, Ponder & Wolz, our team of SEMO personal injury lawyers understands the unique...
Wrongful Death
What Is Needed to Prove Wrongful Death?
The death of a loved one is always difficult, mentally and emotionally. You have to cope with the loss and learn to live without them. The pain of a loved one’s passing is further intensified when their death was preventable and caused by a third party. If your loved one’s...
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim After a Car Accident
Filing a wrongful death claim after a fatal car accident is how those affected by the victim’s death get justice for their tragic loss. Wrongful death claims are legal proceedings that can prove immensely complex, so you may have a lawyer lead yours. There are many fatal car accidents that...
What Is Wrongful Death?
Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences that individuals and families must face. However, when a family member dies because of someone else’s wrongful actions or inactions, you can seek justice for the unbearable pain. A wrongful death occurs when an individual passes away due to...
Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations
Surviving family members of a deceased individual can file a wrongful death claim if they lost their loved one due to someone else’s wrongful act or omission. The untimely death may have resulted from someone else’s negligent actions or inactions, such as in a fatal car crash, or even from...
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
A deceased accident victim’s spouse, child, or close family member can usually file a wrongful death lawsuit. In their absence, a personal representative of the deceased may file the action for wrongful death. Here is an explanation of how wrongful death suits work and why you should contact an experienced...
Injury – What are my rights?
If you are involved in an accident, what are your rights? Most people know they are eligible to hire a Cape Girardeau personal injury lawyer, but what are you really entitled to? Every case is unique, but we have narrowed down the top rights you may receive if someone else...
8 Reasons CBPW is right for your case
We have over 101 years of combined legal experience. Partner Michael Ponder has over 25 years’ experience and was awarded the Lon O. Hocker Award from the Missouri Bar. $2.55 Million Settlement in Electrocution Case. We’ve litigated cases from Kansas City to Cape Girardeau, from Phoenix to Philadelphia and Miami...
5 important questions you should ask before hiring a personal injury attorney
Selecting your personal injury attorney should be one of the first decisions that you make after your injury. You have 100% control in this situation. This is a critical decision, so it’s important to feel comfortable and confident in your choice. Here’s a list of important questions to consider when choosing an...
Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages
Q: What are economic and non-economic damages in a personal injury case? A: Clients in personal injury cases may recover economic and non-economic damages. Some attorneys may refer to them as “general” or “special” damages. In some circumstances, punitive damages may be available as well. So, what exactly are economic damages? Economic damages...
Job site injuries: When to contact an attorney
Many companies have specific programs aimed at avoiding work-related injuries. Safe work practices and efforts to avoid injuries are important for employers and employees alike. However, once an injury happens, it’s not in your best interest to avoid reporting the incident. When an injury is not reported, an employer can...
Missouri car wreck statistics
Missouri’s beautiful landscapes, rivers and tourist attractions bring in much traffic in and around Southeast Missouri. Many commercial and passenger vehicles regularly use our highways, along with our locals and visitors, to travel through the state. Car wrecks can still occur even when drivers are being cautious and obeying all...