Many families have to suffer with the loss of a loved one from many types of accidents. Unfortunately, circumstances such as auto accidents, medical malpractice, products liability, and premises liability often lead to avoidable deaths. If you have lost a love one in an accident that was due to the negligence of another person you should seek the advice of an attorney that is experienced in wrongful death matters.
A wrongful death lawsuit arises out of intentional and unintentional accidents that result in another person’s death. The survivors of the deceased person can bring a lawsuit against the person or entity they feel is responsible for their loved one’s death. Depending on the circumstances of the case, it is also possible for the individual that causes a death to be charged with both a civil suit and criminal charges.
In a wrongful death lawsuit it is the burden of the plaintiff to prove that the defendant caused the death of their loved one. If you have been able to determine the negligence of the defendant, you can be awarded damages for both the emotional and financial damages associated with the loss of your loved one. The award is supposed to compensate the family for medical expenses, funeral expenses, lost income, and loss of emotional support. The monetary award in the wrongful death lawsuit will depend on many factors, such as the earning potential of the deceased and the role the deceased played in the lives of his or her family.
If you feel you may have a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a family member you should seek the advice of an experienced attorney as soon as possible due to the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is the amount of time you have to file a claim against the defendant for the death of your loved one. Your attorney can advise you of this time frame and help ensure that your case is filed in a timely manner.
Obtaining legal assistance is critical if a loved one has suffered a
wrongful death due to the negligence of another party. These claims can result from
car accidents,
premises liability, and a number of other causes.
