What Is Your Injury Case Worth In Missouri?

Sansone & Lauber | December 10, 2025 | Personal Injury Blog

What Is Your Injury Case Worth In Missouri?

If you were hurt in a crash or serious accident in Missouri, your injury case is ultimately worth what a jury is willing to award for the harm you can prove was caused by someone else’s negligence, reduced by your share of fault under Missouri’s pure comparative fault rules and subject to any applicable damage caps.

That sounds simple. In reality, the value of a case is driven by dozens of moving parts: liability, the severity of your injuries, how those injuries affect your life and ability to work, the amount of insurance coverage available, and the quality of the law firm building and presenting your case.

At Sansone & Lauber, we are St. Louis trial lawyers who have spent years answering one question for injured people across Missouri:

“What is my case really worth — and what can we do to maximize it?”

This guide walks you through how Missouri law looks at case value, which factors matter most, common myths that cost people money, and how we approach valuation after securing record-setting results, including a $14.2 million verdict in a catastrophic brain injury case that was later affirmed on appeal.

The Short Answer: How Missouri Law Looks at Case Value

Under Missouri law, your personal injury case is built around three big questions:

Who is legally at fault?
What harm can you prove — in dollars and in human impact?
What sources of recovery exist (insurance, assets, multiple defendants)?

On top of that, Missouri applies some state-specific rules that can raise or lower what you actually receive:

Pure comparative fault: Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover even if you were mostly to blame.
Joint and several liability at 51%: A defendant who is at least 51% at fault can be responsible for the entire judgment, not just their percentage, in many tort cases.
Statutes of limitations: Most Missouri personal injury lawsuits must be filed within five years, with shorter deadlines for medical malpractice and some other claims.
Damage caps in specific categories: Certain claims, like medical malpractice or claims against government entities, have statutory caps on some types of damages.

So when we evaluate “what your injury case is worth in Missouri,” we’re really evaluating:

What a well-prepared Missouri jury could reasonably award you under these rules — and what we can force an insurance company to pay without trial by showing them we’re ready to win in court.

Pillar 1: Liability – How Fault Affects the Value of Your Missouri Case

You can have devastating injuries, but if fault is disputed or unclear, the value of your claim drops fast.

Missouri’s Pure Comparative Fault System

Missouri is a pure comparative fault state. That means:

You can recover money even if you were up to 99% at fault – but
Your compensation is reduced in proportion to your share of fault.

Example:
A jury decides your total damages are $500,000, but believes you were 20% at fault for the crash (say you were slightly speeding or not paying full attention). Under Missouri law:

Total damages: $500,000
Your fault: 20%
Your net recovery: $400,000

This is why liability is not an academic question. It is literally money out of your pocket.

How We Protect and Maximize Liability

At Sansone & Lauber, we focus heavily on locking down liability early:

Securing police reports and 911 recordings
Photographing the scene and vehicles
Getting surveillance or dashcam footage before it disappears
Interviewing witnesses while memories are fresh
Using accident reconstruction experts when needed

In our record-setting $14.2 million motorcycle verdict, the defense denied responsibility and claimed the motorcycle wouldn’t have been visible. We used aggressive investigation and expert testimony to prove exactly how the crash happened and why their driver was at fault — and the jury agreed.

The stronger we make liability, the less room the defense has to discount your case.

Pillar 2: Economic Damages – The Financial Core of Your Claim

Economic damages are the measurable financial losses caused by your injury. In Missouri, these often include:

Medical bills (past and future)
- ER visits, hospital stays
- Surgeries, injections, physical therapy
- Medications and medical equipment
- Future treatment, surgeries, or rehab
Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Time you already missed from work
- Reduced hours or lower-paying light-duty work
- Permanent inability to return to your prior job or career track
Household and caregiving services
- Help with childcare, transportation, or personal care
- Home modifications or assistive devices
Property damage
- Vehicle repair or total loss
- Replacement of damaged personal items

Economic damages are not limited to what your medical providers billed. In many cases we also consider:

Full billed charges vs. amounts actually paid or adjusted
Future medical needs, supported by life-care planners and medical experts
Long-term impact on your ability to work until retirement, supported by economic experts

A big part of our job is turning a stack of bills and records into a coherent story that shows the jury exactly how your injury has changed your financial future.

Pillar 3: Non-Economic Damages – The Human Side of Your Case

In Missouri, non-economic damages compensate you for the ways your injuries have changed your life that do not show up on a receipt:

Physical pain and discomfort
Emotional distress and anxiety
Loss of enjoyment of life
Scarring and disfigurement
Loss of independence
Loss of consortium or relationship harm with a spouse

There is no universal formula in Missouri (despite what some “settlement calculators” online claim). Juries are instructed to use their common sense and life experience to decide what is fair based on the evidence.

Are Non-Economic Damages Capped in Missouri?

For most personal injury cases (like car, truck, motorcycle, premises liability), Missouri does not place a general cap on non-economic damages. However:

Medical malpractice cases have statutory caps on non-economic damages that are adjusted every year for inflation under Missouri law.
Claims against certain government entities (like public agencies) may also be subject to separate caps on total recoverable damages.

Because these numbers change annually and vary by case type, we typically explain the current figures one-on-one with clients and show how they interact with the facts of a specific claim.

Pillar 4: Punitive Damages – When the Conduct Is Outrageous

Punitive damages are not about making you whole. They are about punishing and deterring particularly reckless or intentional conduct — for example:

A company knowingly ignoring a deadly safety defect
A drunk driver with a sky-high BAC and multiple prior DWIs
A trucking company that systematically falsifies driver logs and pushes exhausted drivers onto the road

In Missouri, punitive damages:

Require clear and convincing evidence of evil motive or reckless indifference
Are subject to procedural and statutory limits
Are not available in every case

We evaluate whether punitive damages are realistically on the table and structure the case strategy accordingly.

Missouri-Specific Rules That Directly Affect What Your Case Is Worth

Beyond the basic categories of damages, Missouri law contains several rules that can dramatically affect the value of your claim.

1. Pure Comparative Fault

As discussed, Missouri allows injured people to recover even when they share fault, but your award is reduced by your percentage of responsibility.

That means a core piece of case value is how effectively we can minimize the fault pinned on you through evidence, expert analysis, and careful preparation for your testimony.

2. Joint and Several Liability at 51%

Missouri law provides that a defendant found 51% or more at fault can be held jointly and severally liable for the entire judgment.

Why this matters:

In a multi-defendant case (for example, a trucking company and another driver), we may be able to help ensure that the defendant with deeper pockets carries full responsibility for paying the judgment if they’re above that 51% threshold.

3. Statutes of Limitations – Deadlines That Can Kill a Case

The best case in the world is worth exactly $0 if it’s filed too late.

For most Missouri personal injury claims (car crashes, slips and falls, general negligence), the statute of limitations is five years from the date of the injury.
For medical malpractice, the deadline is much shorter — typically two years, with some exceptions.

There are also special rules for minors, claims against government entities, and certain product liability or wrongful death cases.

If you miss the deadline, the court will almost always dismiss the case. Part of protecting the value of your case is not waiting until the last minute to talk to a lawyer.

4. Damage Caps in Medical Malpractice and Government Cases

As noted above:

Medical malpractice claims are subject to a statutory cap on non-economic damages that increases with inflation each year under Missouri Revised Statutes § 538.210.
Claims against certain public entities can have separate caps on both economic and non-economic damages, which can limit what you ultimately receive regardless of what the jury awards.

Understanding whether any cap applies — and how to maximize the uncapped portions of your claim — is a critical part of case valuation.

Why “3x Medical Bills” and Online Calculators Are Wrong for Missouri Cases

Many people come to us after Googling their situation and seeing things like:

“Take your medical bills and multiply by three.”
“Soft tissue cases are worth X, broken bone cases are worth Y.”
“Try this online settlement calculator.”

Those shortcuts are dangerous and misleading.

Here’s why:

Medical bills don’t show the whole picture.
- A person with $25,000 in medical bills who recovers fully may have a lower case value than someone with $10,000 in bills but permanent limitations that affect their career.
Venue matters.
- The same injuries may be valued differently by juries in different counties.
Liability strength matters.
- A clear-liability rear-end crash is very different from a disputed intersection crash with multiple stories and limited evidence.
Insurance coverage and corporate defendants matter.
- A catastrophic injury case against a well-insured trucking company is not the same as a moderate injury claim against an individual driver with minimal coverage.
Your lawyer and preparation matter.
- A case prepared for trial by a firm with a track record of winning large verdicts is valued differently by insurance companies than a case they expect will settle cheaply.

In short: there is no plug-and-play formula. Anyone telling you otherwise is oversimplifying your future.

How Sansone & Lauber Evaluate and Build the Value of a Missouri Injury Case

Our firm’s approach to case value is informed by real-world results — including a $14.2 million brain injury verdict, the second-largest personal injury verdict in Missouri for 2021, plus many other seven-figure and high six-figure results in car, truck, and catastrophic injury cases.

Here’s how we do it.

1. We Start With a Deep-Dive Case Investigation

We don’t guess; we investigate:

Liability facts: police reports, photos, videos, inspections
Medical facts: diagnoses, treatment plans, prognosis
Background: your work history, family obligations, hobbies, and life before the crash

From there, we can begin to map out:

Short-term damages (initial medical treatment, lost wages)
Long-term damages (future care, lost earning capacity, permanent limitations)

2. We Bring in the Right Experts

In larger, more complex cases, we regularly work with:

Accident reconstructionists to explain how a collision occurred
Treating physicians and independent medical experts
Life-care planners to project future medical needs and costs
Economists to translate those needs into present-day dollars

This expert work isn’t just “extra.” It’s often what makes the difference between a mediocre offer and a life-changing result.

3. We Value the Case With an Eye Toward Trial

We don’t ask, “What will the insurance company voluntarily pay?”

We ask:

“What could a well-selected Missouri jury award if we present this case properly — and how do we pressure the insurer to pay fair money before trial by proving we’re ready to go all the way?”

Because we routinely try serious cases, including record-setting ones, insurers know we are not bluffing.

What You Can Do Right Now to Protect the Value of Your Missouri Injury Case

Regardless of which law firm you choose, there are steps you can take today that directly influence what your case may ultimately be worth.

1. Get Prompt, Consistent Medical Care

Go to the ER or urgent care promptly after the crash.
Follow up with your primary doctor and specialists.
Follow treatment recommendations (physical therapy, imaging, referrals).

Gaps in treatment or ignoring medical advice are frequently used by insurance companies to argue that you weren’t really hurt or that your injuries were minor.

2. Be Honest and Thorough With Your Doctors

When you see your doctor:

Describe all your symptoms, even if they seem minor.
Explain how the injury affects your work, sleep, and daily activities.

Medical records are a key piece of evidence. If the records say “feels fine” because you minimized your pain, an insurance company will use that against you.

3. Preserve Evidence

Keep photos of the scene, vehicles, and any visible injuries.
Save damaged clothing or equipment.
Keep a list of witnesses and their contact information.

If you contact us early, we can take on this burden and formally preserve crucial evidence.

4. Be Extremely Cautious With Insurance Companies

Do not give recorded statements or sign blanket medical authorizations without legal advice.
Adjusters may sound friendly, but their job is to save money for their company, not protect you.

A single poorly worded statement can cost you a significant amount of compensation.

5. Stay Off Social Media

We routinely see insurance companies comb through social media for anything they can twist:

Photos of you smiling at a family event
Comments that “I’m fine, just sore”
Old posts about prior injuries

The safest move is not to post about the accident or your injuries at all.

So… What Is Your Missouri Injury Case Worth?

Here’s the honest answer:

Your case is worth more than the insurance company’s first offer, almost every time.
It is worth the full amount of economic and non-economic damages that a well-prepared jury could award under Missouri law.
It might be worth far more than you think once we fully account for future medical care, long-term earning losses, and the human impact of your injuries.

But no responsible lawyer will quote you a precise number without:

Reviewing the facts of how you were hurt
Understanding your full medical picture
Assessing liability and available insurance coverage
Considering Missouri’s statutes, deadlines, comparative fault, and any applicable caps

That is why we offer free, no-obligation consultations to people across Missouri who have been seriously injured or lost a loved one.

Talk To Sansone & Lauber About the True Value of Your Case

At Sansone & Lauber, we:

Have secured record-setting verdicts, including a $14.2 million brain injury verdict affirmed on appeal.
Represent clients throughout St. Louis and across Missouri in car, truck, motorcycle, medical negligence, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death cases.
Prepare every serious case as if it will go to trial — because that’s how you get full value, whether you settle or not.

There is no fee to talk with us, and no attorney’s fee unless we win money for you.

📞 Call Sansone & Lauber at (314) 863-0500
📍 Office: 7777 Bonhomme Ave #2100, St. Louis, MO 63105

Let us review your case, explain how Missouri law applies, and fight to make sure your injury case is worth everything it should be — not just what the insurance company wants to pay.