Filing a wrongful death claim is one thing. Getting the compensation a family deserves is another. Insurance companies don’t exist to make life easier for grieving families—they exist to protect their bottom line. And they’re very good at it.

How Insurance Companies Reduce Payouts

An insurance company’s first move typically comes wrapped in sympathy. An adjuster might say, “We’re so sorry for your loss,” while sliding a lowball offer across the metaphorical table. The hope is you take the money and waive your rights to ask for anything else. Here’s how they do it:

• Quick Settlement Offers: Insurers like to move fast. They offer a settlement before a family has time to figure out the full value of their claim. Once that money is accepted, it’s game over—no chance to reopen the case, even if new expenses come to light.
• Dragging Out the Process: If a family doesn’t take the quick offer, the opposite tactic kicks in. Delays. Phone calls that never come. Paperwork that gets “lost.” They stretch things out, betting that mounting bills and emotional exhaustion will make you settle for less.
• Blaming the Deceased: Missouri uses a comparative fault system under Missouri Revised Statutes Section 537.765. If the insurer can argue the deceased was partially responsible for their own death, they can reduce the payout. Even assigning 10% of the blame to the victim cuts the potential settlement by the same percentage.
• Questioning the Relationship: Insurers dig into family dynamics. They may question whether a claimant had a “meaningful” relationship with the deceased. Missouri law limits who can file under Section 537.080, but that doesn’t stop insurers from testing the boundaries.
• Challenging Damages: They’ll argue that non-economic damages are subjective and should be minimized. They may insist that grief or loss of companionship isn’t worth much—or that the deceased’s contributions were less than claimed.

How a Local Lawyer Fights Back

Insurance companies don’t fear phone calls or emails. They fear litigation. An experienced wrongful death lawyer knows how to counter these tactics and put pressure where it matters. Here’s how the process works when a qualified Kansas City attorney takes charge:

• Building a Strong Case Early: A wrongful death lawyer doesn’t wait for the insurer to set the narrative. They collect evidence immediately—police reports, witness statements, accident reconstructions, medical records. They lock down the facts.
• Calculating Full Damages: Lawyers work with economists and medical experts to calculate the full scope of losses, both economic and non-economic. They don’t rely on the insurer’s math.
• Negotiating from a Position of Strength: With a well-prepared case, the lawyer comes to the negotiation table ready to walk away if the offer doesn’t meet expectations. And if that happens, they file a lawsuit.
• Filing a Lawsuit When Necessary: In Missouri, wrongful death lawsuits go through the circuit courts. Once filed, the case becomes public record. Insurance companies don’t like juries deciding payouts—they prefer backroom deals. The threat of a trial often forces more reasonable settlement offers.
• Pushing Back on Comparative Fault Claims: If the insurer tries to shift blame, the lawyer presents evidence to show the defendant’s responsibility. They counter every claim with documentation, expert testimony, and legal arguments grounded in Missouri law.
• Protecting the Family’s Rights: From day one, an attorney acts as a buffer. Insurance companies deal with the legal representative, not the grieving family. That distance keeps families from being manipulated or worn down by the claims process.