Wrongful Death Lawyer
The death of a loved one is never an easy thing to experience. It takes a toll on the family emotionally, but often can affect them financially as well. Each state has laws that can make the financial burden lighter when another person or entity is legally responsible for a loved one’s death. Hiring a wrongful death lawyer can be helpful when seeking damages for your loved one’s death. A lawyer can help you understand what compensations you are entitled to.
What Is a Wrongful Death Suit?
A wrongful death suit is civil action brought by either the estate of a person or survivors of a person who died as the result of either the intentional actions of another or negligence. In these cases, the plaintiff seeks damages from the defendant to cover the costs of everything from the funeral to pain and suffering of the family. Every state has its own set of laws regarding wrongful death suits.
What Damages Can Be Recovered?
Damages are the losses for which the survivors or estate may be able to be compensated financially. When someone dies in a wrongful death claim damages can include:
- Funeral and burial costs
Funerals and burials can be extremely costly and present the family of the deceased with a serious financial burden.
- Loss of the deceased’s expected income.
When a family has been depending on the deceased for their income and suddenly are without it, they may receive compensation for that income.
- Loss of inheritance as a result of the death
If the surviving loved ones are unable to claim their inheritance because their loved one died unexpectedly and as a result of someone’s negligence or even intention, they can seek damages for the inheritance they should have and would have received.
- Loss of love and companionship, loss of consortium and loss of care, guidance, and nurturing
It is not just financial hardships that can be addressed when calculating damages. The mental and psychological toll that death takes on the deceased’s loved ones can also be compensated.
- Medical costs that the deceased victim incurred because of injury before death
If the deceased was in the hospital before they passed away as a result of their injuries, the plaintiff could ask for compensation.
- The deceased’s pain and suffering before death
It is possible that the deceased experienced some pain before they passed. If that is the case, they may also be able to seek damages for pain and suffering, must like a personal injury case.
If you lost your loved one because of someone else’s negligence or even intention, you may have a wrongful death claim on your hand. Contact a wrongful death attorney who has experience getting families the compensation that they deserve after losing their loved ones.
