Wrongful Death Lawyer
The loss of a loved one is always a difficult situation to deal with but when that death is caused by negligence or recklessness of another party, it can be absolutely devastating. Not only is there the grief and loss to deal with but there are often financial difficulties that the family now faces, especially if the victim was the primary financial provider.
Although no amount of money will ever make up for that loss, the law does allow the victim’s survivors and/or estate to pursue legal action against the at-fault party or parties in order to recover financial compensation for some of the losses they have suffered. In many cases, financial justice is the only form of justice the family will be able to obtain.
The following is a brief overview of a wrongful death lawsuit. For more detailed information, contact a wrongful death lawyer.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Wrongful Death Claim?
Depending on the specific laws of your state, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed against the liable party or parties by either the victim’s immediate next of kin (i.e., spouse, children, parents) or by someone who has been appointed as a representative of the victim’s estate.
The following are some of the issues that a wrongful death lawsuit can recover:
- Any medical expenses that were incurred in the attempt to save the victim’s life. In many cases, the victim underwent extensive medical treatment for their injuries and medical bills can include ambulance transport, emergency room care, surgeries, hospitalization, and any other expenses.
- Funeral and burial expenses for the victim are also recoverable under a wrongful death lawsuit. This can include cremation, casket costs, cemetery plot, headstone, and funeral home costs for preparation and arrangements.
- Pain and suffering – There are two types of pain and suffering that can be included in the lawsuit. If the victim lived for a period of time after being injured, compensation for the pain and suffering they endured can be recovered. There is also the pain and suffering of the family, their grief, and trauma over the loss they have suffered.
- Loss of guidance and companionship – The wrongful death lawsuit can also include damages for the family’s loss of the victim’s love, guidance, and support that he or she would have provided the family had they not been killed as a result of the at-fault party’s negligence.
- Loss of financial support – Whatever income, including future income, and benefits the victim provided for their family are now lost as a result of their death. This loss of future income can be awarded to the family in the lawsuit.
If you have lost a loved one in an accident caused by another party, contact a death lawyer to schedule a free case evaluation and find out what legal options are available to you.
Thanks to our friends at Wandres Law, P.C. for their insight into wrongful death lawsuits.