The court system in the United States tries two different types of cases: criminal cases, in which individuals face jail time or disciplinary action for breaking the law, and civil cases. Civil cases are those that involve a dispute between two or more parties over compensation for some transgression that has occurred. If you believe that you are eligible for damages as a result of an injury or other wrong that you have suffered, our civil litigation lawyers may be able to help you.
The civil litigation lawyers at the Kansas City-based law firm of Beam-Ward, Kruse, Wilson & Fletes, LLC have decades of combined experience in the fields of civil and business litigation. Our aggressive and knowledgeable attorneys are proud of their court record and are willing to go to trial if necessary, but they focus on trying to resolve each dispute through negotiations and settlement. Our goal is to provide our clients with quick, hassle-free resolutions of their complaints by seeking fair and just out-of-court settlements, but as each case is different, the best way to pursue your case will be determined after we have collected all of the facts.
Personal Injury
If you have been injured as a result of the negligent and reckless actions of another party, you are legally entitled to financial compensation that will cover medical bills, loss of wages, and unquantifiable damages such as pain and suffering. A personal injury claim can result from a car accident, a motorcycle accident, an act of violence, or a sports accident, among many other things. If you have been injured and believe that you are eligible for damages relating to your injuries, it is very important to seek legal counsel so that you can fully understand your options. Contact our civil litigation lawyers serving the Kansas City area to schedule a free consultation. They can determine how best to proceed with your case.
Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation laws provide employees with fixed monetary compensation in the event of an injury or work-related illness. These laws are in place specifically for the purpose of avoiding litigation in the event of common work injuries. Workers’ compensation laws also provide benefits for the dependents of an employee in the case of a work-related death or long-term illness that prevents the individual from providing for his or her family. If you have suffered a work-related injury and are not receiving financial compensation from your employer, you may be eligible for damages. Our civil litigation lawyers can review your case and determine the best course of action.
Consumer Fraud
Consumer fraud is a serious offense, but its definition has certain limits. A complaint from a consumer regarding wrongdoing by a business entity does not automatically constitute consumer fraud. Fraud entails willful trickery, deceit, and deception for the purpose of monetary gain or for the acquisition of an unfair financial advantage. The United States Federal Trade Commission reports that, as of 2006, identity theft is the most common complaint filed with the agency, accounting for roughly 37 percent of all cases reported. Additional fields of consumer fraud involve internet auctions, foreign money offers, catalog sales, sweepstakes and lotteries, false business opportunities, and cash-in-advance loans.
If you believe that you have been the victim of consumer fraud, it is important to notify your local law enforcement agency and file a report with the FTC. It may also be possible to seek damages from the liable party if one can be identified. Contact our civil litigation lawyers today to schedule a case review.
Employment Law
If you believe that an employer is violating your rights, it may be necessary to seek legal counsel to resolve the situation. In order to maximize profit, many companies try to skirt around employment laws. Some companies will pressure their employees to work unfair hours without overtime pay, for example. Even minor employment law offenses must be addressed, and companies can be prosecuted for them.
If your employer is denying you overtime pay, prohibiting you from taking family or medical leave, or discriminating against you based on any of the characteristics that federal law prohibits companies from considering when making personnel decisions, you may be eligible for damages. The law offices of Beam-Ward, Kruse, Wilson & Fletes, LLC have civil litigation lawyers serving the Kansas City, Missouri area from four different locations and can help you with your case.
Product Liability
Product liability litigation is based on the principal that companies are strictly liable for the products that they sell – negligence does not need to be proven in a product liability case. Federal consumer protection laws mandate that companies must design and manufacture products that are safe for consumers to use. If an individual is injured by a product as a result of a defective design, a defective manufacturing process, or a potential hazard that consumers were not warned about, then the liable parties can be held accountable for those injuries. If you have been injured by a defective product, contact our law firm today. Our civil litigation lawyers can help you start your case.
Class Action
A class action suit is one that combines multiple independent lawsuits of a similar nature against a common defendant into one large court proceeding. These suits are tried together because the similarity of the independent cases is such that a larger, all-encompassing case better serves the plaintiffs’, defendants’, and legal system’s needs. Class action lawsuits have been used in the past in cases in which employees injured or killed by exposure to asbestos filed claims against employers for long-term exposure to asbestos, or those in which patients who received breast implants sued over illnesses related to their operations. If you believe that you have a case eligible for class action certification, contact our civil litigation lawyers for a case review.