Wrongful death is when an individual loses their life because of someone else’s negligence or intentional misconduct. The wrongful death of a loved one can be devastating, not only emotionally but also financially. Most wrongful deaths occur because of personal injuries such as automobile accidents and medical malpractices.
The law gives family members or a representative of the deceased person’s estate the right to file a lawsuit against the negligent party. Find the right lawyer that can help you seek the compensation you deserve by searching for a “personal injury lawyer near me.”
What are the elements of a wrongful death lawsuit?
If your case possesses the following elements, you may qualify for filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
- The death of a person.
- Negligence or intent: The person’s death must be caused by someone who breached the duty of care they owed to the victim or had the intention to harm them.
- Monetary damages: The victim’s family should have suffered financial damages as a result of the wrongful death.
- Personal representative: If the victim left behind a will, their estate’s personal representative is eligible to file a lawsuit as well.
What does the compensation cover?
The compensation you are eligible to receive varies depending on the situation and the damages. A lawyer estimates your damages, evaluates a fair compensation amount, and ensures that you receive it. While no amount of compensation can ever be sufficient for the death of a family member, the compensation helps you and the others to survive and cope after this traumatic event.
- Funeral expenses: The compensation recovers the costs for the deceased’s burial and funeral arrangements.
- Medical expenses: Before their death, the victim may have had several medical tests and treatments because of the injuries caused by the liable party’s negligence.
- Pain and suffering: The victim’s injuries may have caused them to endure a lot of physical and mental distress.
- Lost income: The injuries and medical procedures may have prevented the victim from working, leading to loss of wages.
- Financial losses: With the death of a family member, the others relying on them for their survival are compensated with the value the victim would have earned had it not been for the untimely death.
- Loss of consortium: It is a claim made by a close family relation for the loss of the victim’s affection and companionship.
A personal injury lawyer has specialized knowledge and experience and can effectively guide you throughout the legal procedure. They aid you in several ways and are essential for a favorable outcome of your lawsuit.