Coping with the loss of a loved one is always tough. But when someone you love is taken from you prematurely through someone else’s negligence, it can be especially difficult. An injury lawyer can help you during this difficult time to recover compensation for your loss to help offset the financial strain that your loss had on your family.
Question: What is wrongful death?
Fatality (wrongful death) is when death occurs as a result of someone else’s negligence. A car crash, medical malpractice, or a fatal accident on someone’s property due to negligence can all qualify. Even in the case of manslaughter, there may be a case for a wrongful death suit.
Question: Who may make a wrongful death claim?
In cases of wrongful death, the only ones eligible to make a claim are the immediate family members of the person who died – that is, the spouse and children. It is the spouse and children who usually suffer the greatest financial impact when a wrongful death occurs. This impact may include the loss of vital income, medical expenses, grief counselling or the need to hire additional help such as child care.
Because this is a very difficult and painful experience for families, it is important that they work with a personal injury lawyer who is sympathetic to their situation and who is able to secure the compensation that they are eligible for.While no amount of money can replace the person that they lost, a successful wrongful death claim can at least ensure they do not suffer further financial hardship as a result of their loss.
Question: What can be included in a wrongful death claim?
An injury lawyer can help you determine what you may be eligible to sue for in a wrongful death claim. Below is outlined some of the possible compensation:
- Loss of future economic support – when you lose a spouse or parent, you don’t only have a sudden loss of their current income, but you also lose much of their potential future income and support. The younger the person who died, the more potential economic support there is to be lost. This can have a substantial impact on potential savings for retirement and education.
- Loss of potential inheritance – again, the younger the person who dies, the potential negative impact there is to future inheritance.
- Medical expenses – Very often in wrongful death cases, the death was not immediate. Substantial medical bills may have accumulated, leaving the family not only dealing with the devastation of their loss, but also with overwhelming bills for medical care.
- Funeral expenses – funeral expenses may also be recovered in wrongful death cases.
- Loss of companionship – While money certainly doesn’t replace the person that was lost, you may also be able to receive damages for loss of companionship.
If you’ve lost someone because of someone else’s negligence, there is good reason for you to speak with a personal injury lawyer today. The caring professionals at Clarke Law will meet with you for a free consultation to help you determine whether or not you wish to proceed.