Did you know that unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for Americans aged 1 to 44 years of age? It can be caused due to unintentional poisoning, unintentional falls, and motor vehicle crashes.
If you are dealing with wrongful death in your family, then you will want to hire a lawyer right away. Keep reading to find out what you need to know before hiring a lawyer for wrongful death claims.
Determine if There Was Negligence in Your Case
What is wrongful death? According to the law, wrongful death occurs when a fatality results from carelessness, negligence, or similar aggravating factors. The courts will determine both economic and non-economic damages after hearing the case presented.
That’s why you will need to sit down with your wrongful death lawyer right away and figure out if negligence or other factors were present and if a wrongful death claim is even possible for your case. It’s a difficult time for you, but getting justice for your loved one is paramount here.
Who Can File the Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Even though relatives of the decedent can file a wrongful death claim (like the spouse, dependents, parents, children), it’s usually the person who’s in charge of their estate that should be the one filing the suit. This person is named in a person’s will, but if there’s no will, then a spouse or domestic partner can file suit as well.
More on Wrongful Death Settlements
If you are wondering what kind of damages you can receive in such a claim, below is a short list. Every case is different and will receive varying damages, but this should give you a good idea of what you are getting into.
- Medical costs
- Funeral and burial costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of instruction (For children and grandchildren)
Have a conversation with your wrongful death lawyer to figure out what damages you should be claiming.
Remember About the Statute of Limitations
There is a statute of limitations set on wrongful death lawsuits. This extends to 2 years.
Time is of the essence here, since if you don’t file the lawsuit within 2 years, you lose your chance for monetary compensation for your children and yourself. So hire a wrongful death lawyer right away and get started on this journey.
Refer to this site for more information on wrongful death cases in auto accidents.
Get a Lawyer for Wrongful Death ASAP
Not only are you dealing with trauma from the death of a loved one, but you are grieving, and busy with the funeral, and all the other demands of daily life. It’s always better to get a lawyer for wrongful death claims, so you have professional legal help on your side.
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