The death of a loved one is a devastating time for friends and family. If the death was an unprecedented event, many questions will arise, some of which may only be rhetorical. However, if the family is asking about their legal options, it is important to recognize that they have legal rights.
In a wrongful death claim, the decedent’s dependents may be entitled to compensation for related medical expenses, burial costs, loss of companionship and more.
Although nothing can be done to reverse the loss of a loved one, you can fight for justice and hold the party responsible for a loved one’s death accountable for their actions. The attorneys at The Doan Law Firm are experienced in handling these types of claims and can help you determine your legal options.
You deserve personal attention. Your case deserves thorough research and access to the legal resources only The Doan Law Firm can provide. Trust us to fight for your justice.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?
The loss of a loved one is never easy and when it happens unexpectedly due to another person or party’s negligence, it can leave friends and family frustrated and angry about the situation.
Typically persons who have been directly financial and emotionally impacted by the loss of the decedent may file a claim. This could include the:
Spouse
Dependent children
Parents
Immediate family members such as a sibling
In some cases the ex-spouse of the decedent may be entitled to compensation if they are taking care of dependent children.
Depending on what led to the death of a loved one, more than one person may be held liable. Negligence is one of the most important factors to consider in who may be held liable. In the case of a fatal car wreck, the driver may be held liable for the collision however if the driver was intoxicated the premises that served him might also be held liable.
Filing a Wrongful Death Legal Claim
Filing a wrongful death lawsuit can seem like a daunting task. However, choosing an experienced and knowledgeable attorney can help make the process much easier. In order to have a successful claim, it must be proven that negligence or intentional wrong-doing led to the death.
It must be proven that the party responsible acted negligently, recklessly or possible even intentionally. An example of this would be a drunk driving fatality. The drunk drive behaved negligently by choosing to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, which then led to a death.
We sympathize with how difficult it can be to deal with an unexpected death. Our firm is dedicated to helping victims of a wrongful death explore their legal options.
Types of Damages
If it can be proven that the party at fault behaved negligently or reckless and their actions led to the death of a person, the victim’s family may be entitled to compensation. Families may pursue damages for the following:
Medical expenses
Funeral costs
Wages lost, particularly if the decedent was the main source of income
Some damages might include those that cannot easily be measured, such as loss of consortium and mental anguish. Depending on the circumstances, a jury may also decide to award punitive damages. Punitive damages are often awarded to the victim, or their family, to punish the defendant and deter others from engaging in similar conduct.
An example of when punitive damages may be awarded would be cases in which a product, device or drug caused a death, and the company that manufactured it knew about the product’s dangers.
Contact a Wrongful Death Lawyer
At The Doan Law Firm, we have seen firsthand the results of tragic motor vehicle accidents, aviation accidents, workplace accidents and more. Our legal team is experienced in handling these cases and determined in helping victims obtain the compensation they deserve.
If you have lost a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence, get your case evaluated by a member of our team. We can provide information on our legal options, thoroughly review your claim, contact witnesses, obtain medical records and more, in order to build a robust case in your favor.
You deserve personal attention. You case deserves thorough research and access to the legal resources only The Doan Law Firm can provide. Trust us to fight for your justice. We are in this together.
For a free review of your claim, call (800) 349-0000 or fill out a contact form online.