The St. Louis County, Missouri law office of Klar, Izsak & Stenger, L.L.C., has been awarded Martindale-Hubbell's® AV-Preeminent Peer Review Rating™ and represents victims of serious accidents. Our firm also provides legal counsel in all general business matters, including business and commercial litigation, entertainment law, event marketing, and brand development, merchandising, and licensing. We also provide legal representation to individuals charged with crimes in both state and federal criminal cases. The firm’s clients come primarily from the St. Louis metropolitan area. Contact us to schedule a confidential consultation.
Personal InjuryIf you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, you may be confronted with large losses, in addition to significant pain. Concrete losses could include medical expenses, lost income, the costs of therapy and rehabilitation, and alterations to your home. You may be able to sue for compensation. Personal injury lawsuits often are brought under a theory of negligence. It is important to retain an experienced personal injury attorney in St. Louis if you hope to obtain fair and full compensation. We represent clients in lawsuits arising out of motor vehicle accidents, accidents on property, construction accidents, animal attacks, brain and spine injuries, and wrongful death.
Car AccidentsUnder Missouri Revised Statutes section 516.120, someone injured in an accident, whether they are a driver, a passenger, a pedestrian, a bicyclist, or a motorcyclist, must file a civil lawsuit within five years of the accident date to recover compensation. If an accident caused by someone else results in somebody’s death, it may be possible for the victim’s family member or representative to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the other driver. A wrongful death lawsuit must be filed within three years of the decedent’s death. In most cases, you will need to establish another driver’s negligence in order to recover damages. To show negligence, you will need to prove that the other driver owed you a duty of care, but their breach of the duty caused the accident and your damages. Often, an at-fault driver will raise comparative negligence, claiming that the accident victim was at least partially to blame. Our St. Louis personal injury attorneys can help you navigate around these obstacles.
Premises LiabilityYou may be able to bring a premises liability lawsuit if you are injured by a dangerous condition on someone else’s property. Dangerous conditions that may result in an accident include a slippery floor, a crack in a floor or a parking lot, falling objects, broken steps, rotting beams, collapsing balconies, and broken rails. You can potentially hold a possessor of property liable for physical injuries that you suffered as an invitee due to a dangerous condition on their premises if you can show that the defendant knew about or reasonably should have found the dangerous condition and should have been aware that it would pose a risk of harm. You also would need to show that the defendant should have anticipated that you would not have discovered or realized the risk. Also, the defendant must have failed to use reasonable care to protect you against the danger. The personal injury lawyers at our St. Louis firm can help you gather evidence to prove these elements. Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice lawsuits usually require expert testimony, since they involve a professional duty of care. There are several procedural rules that are unique to medical malpractice cases, including a requirement of filing an Affidavit of Qualified Health Care Provider. Missouri Revised Statutes section 538.225 specifies that when an attorney files a lawsuit for medical malpractice, they need to file an affidavit stating that the plaintiff got a written opinion of a legally qualified health care provider, who found that the defendant did not give the kind of treatment that a reasonably prudent and careful health care provider would have given under similar circumstances, and the failure to provide that treatment contributed to the harm alleged. When a medical malpractice lawsuit arises from a foreign object inside the body of a patient, the lawsuit needs to be filed within two years of the date on which the mistake could have been discovered. Our St. Louis personal injury lawyers have handled many of these complex cases.
Workers’ CompensationMissouri workers’ compensation laws cover all workers who are injured on the job while working in the state. In order to recover workers’ compensation benefits, the injury needs to have arisen out of and in the course of your employment, and the event that caused the injury needs to be the prevailing factor resulting in your medical condition or disability. Occupational environment conditions or toxic exposure needs to be the prevailing factor that caused the injury or disease. The law is administered by the Workers’ Compensation Division of the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. If a Missouri employer has at least five employees, it must either have workers’ compensation insurance or be self-insured. Nearly all construction companies need to have workers’ compensation insurance if they have at least one employee. Workers’ compensation benefits are provided regardless of fault.
Business and Commercial LitigationEven when plans are carefully made, a business operation may face disputes. Some of these disputes can turn into heated litigation. Litigation can happen as a result of disputes between partners, shareholders, or other owners, or it can come up when a business dissolves or reorganizes. Sometimes business and commercial litigation occurs in connection with the interpretation of contracts with outside parties or disputes with competitors. A competitor may be held accountable for misappropriating service marks, trademarks, copyrights, or other forms of intellectual property. A competitor may also be held accountable for interfering with a business’ contractual relationships. We handle lawsuits involving contracts, leases, breach of fiduciary duty claims, mechanic’s liens, fraud, employment disputes, and stockbroker negligence, among other issues.
General Business CounselOur firm provides legal advice and counsel regarding the advantages and disadvantages of different business forms when owners are starting businesses. We can prepare and review the documents needed to establish a business in good standing under either Missouri or Illinois law. These documents could include articles of incorporation, corporate resolutions, and bylaws. We also may be able to provide legal advice down the road in connection with the operation of sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies, or corporations. We can assist you with annual findings and provide legal counsel to make sure that there is compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements for your business. We prepare employment contracts, shareholder agreements, purchase and sale agreements, real estate leases, non-compete agreements, confidentiality agreements, and licensing or royalty agreements.
Criminal DefenseOur criminal defense lawyers represent clients in both state and federal courts. Charges that we have handled include DWI/DUI, criminal fraud, larceny, embezzlement, assault, battery, capital murder, and minor in possession of drugs or alcohol. The specific elements depend on the charge. For example, you can be convicted of a per se DWI if your blood alcohol content was .08% or more while you were driving. Moreover, if your blood alcohol content was .15% or more, you can face enhanced penalties. All criminal charges must be established beyond a reasonable doubt.
Entertainment LawEntertainment law often involves intellectual property or contract issues. Legal services provided to the entertainment industry may pertain to a single event, or they may involve an extended relationship. Often, entertainment industry contracts involve substantial amounts of money. It is critical to retain an experienced attorney to draft and negotiate these agreements. The terms of a contract can affect whether the contract is enforceable at all, as well as the damages in case a party breaches it.
Event MarketingEvent marketing is a strategy used to leave a branded impression of enjoyment by getting the attention of a group of gathered people. When event marketing is properly executed, it provides a resonant experience that leaves an impression. It could involve a party, a contest, or a show, and it may entail the use of interactive displays or sampling. However, legal issues can arise in event marketing. These issues may involve a failure to obtain the right permit, inadequate contractual terms for the event planning, a failure to obtain necessary insurance, a failure to provide safe or appropriate spaces for kids, failed health department inspections, and alcohol licenses. We represent small businesses, as well as national and international event and entertainment marketing firms.
Brand Development, Merchandising, and LicensingBrand development, merchandising, and licensing can involve complicated and challenging issues. Often, brand equity is intangible, but it can be extremely valuable, and it might be your company’s most important asset. Therefore, you should make sure that contracts associated with brand development are valid and that you comply with pertinent laws. It is also important to obtain legal advice in connection with merchandising and licensing. Under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, Missouri consumers are protected against misleading acts, such as false advertisements or misleading statements or omissions. A Missouri consumer who is misled can sue in court to recover losses.
Retain a St. Louis Attorney to Protect Your InterestsWhether you need a personal injury attorney in St. Louis, or you have a legal issue that involves one of our other practice areas, you should call us. Klar, Izsak & Stenger represents clients throughout St. Louis, St. Charles, and Jefferson Counties. Call us at (314) 863-1117 or contact us via our online form.