Wrongful Death
From Lawyer-personal-injury
Wrongful Death
In criminal law, when a loved one is killed by another person, the wrongdoer is held accountable by being charged with murder, manslaughter, or homicide. The victim’s family is guided through the justice system with the help of police officers and prosecutors. Civil law also imposes liability when a person or entity causes the death of a loved one. It’s called wrongful death. In a wrongful death case, the death need not be intentional. It might also be caused by recklessness, negligence or even a failure to act. Although nothing can ever bring your loved one back, making sure the responsible party is held accountable can provide some peace of mind.
A wrongful death may occur from such things as: fatal automobile accidents, use of defective products, medical malpractice, construction accidents, occupational exposure to hazardous substances, disasters like plane crashes or plant explosions, or even criminal behavior.
In a wrongful death case, the family members of the victim bring the lawsuit against the defendant. In a wrongful death case, the family members may recover such things as last medical expenses and burial of the victim, pain and suffering of the survivors, estimated future earnings of the victim if the survivors were dependent upon him or her for support. State law determines which family members may bring the suit. Because it can be a very complicated process, you should consider consulting an attorney to explore your legal rights.
If you have lost a loved one due to the fault of another, let us help guide you through the tough process of seeking justice. The law varies as to the amount of time you have to file a claim. Therefore it is important that you contact an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case.
