Losing a loved one is a difficult part of life. Losing someone because of another person’s negligence is all the more excruciating. Knowing the death could have been prevented had someone acted more carefully is a burden no one should have to carry. Tragically, these wrongful deaths occur all the time.
Hiring an experienced attorney is the right way to pursue justice and compensation. No amount of money can undo your grief or mitigate this loss, but it can hold the responsible party accountable while providing you with the means to pay for related expenses.
Elements of a Wrongful Death Claim
The two foundational elements of these cases are:
- An individual lost their life
- The loss of life was the direct result of someone else’s negligence
The only way to know if you have a case is to consult an attorney who focuses on these types of issues. Your lawyer will investigate the situation to determine if someone is at fault. Then they will hold that liable party accountable.
Unlike a homicide, a wrongful death is not always intentional. That’s why these cases are civil in nature rather than criminal. Just because a person didn’t intend to harm your loved one, their carelessness proved fatal nonetheless. You deserve the opportunity to hold them liable in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death
Most often, a wrongful death is caused by one of the following:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Boating accidents
- Cruise ship accidents
- Bus accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse
- Defective products
- Defective drugs and medical devices
- Dog attacks
Typically there is liability present in all of the events above. The key is to trace your case back to the source of the fatality. It can of course be another person who is responsible, such as a reckless driver. But there are other potentially liable parties: manufacturers, government agencies, corporations, transportation agencies, etc. Your lawyer’s job is to doggedly pursue the best possible outcome, starting with determining fault.
Wrongful Death Compensation
Although you may not want to think about seeking money amid your grief, there are real financial reasons to do so. The death and medical care leading up to death can quickly become expensive. On top of those bills, you may be facing the prospect of losing your loved one’s income. These are real costs that will affect your life now and into the future. An experienced attorney pursues compensation for these losses tirelessly.
In the event of successful monetary recovery, damages may include:
- Medical bills
- Burial and funeral costs
- Loss of retirement and other benefits
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of guidance
- Loss of inheritance
- Loss of future earnings and income
You may have other issues for which you’d like to seek compensation. Your attorney wants to listen to you first and foremost – to get to know you and how this loss has impacted your life. Then the attorney works from a place of knowledge of your life as they passionately pursue justice on behalf of you and your family.
Wrongful Death Claim Evaluation
An experienced attorney determines if the elements of wrongful death are present. Normally these cases are brought by the deceased’s estate. A spouse, dependent or other immediate relatives may be eligible to pursue this type of lawsuit. Contact an attorney to learn more about your options.
