A wrongful death claim for damages is an important legal resource for surviving family members of loved ones wrongfully killed by the negligence of another party. Families can use a wrongful death claim to hold the negligent party responsible and recover compensation for the damages they have suffered as a result of the loss.
A wrongful death claim for damages is brought by the lost loved one’s estate for the benefit of surviving family members to help with the financial and emotional damages they have suffered as a result of the wrongful loss of their loved one. Wrongful death claims are governed by wrongful death statutes in each state and require that the loss of a loved one was caused by the negligence of another party and resulted in harm to the victim’s family.
A wrongful death claim may be brought in a variety of situations including following a car accident; truck accident; work-related accident in some circumstances; or in situations of medical malpractice, among other situations. The damages that are available through a wrongful death claim are unique to the characteristics of the victim and the circumstances but generally include compensation for funeral expenses; loss of support and services; and lost prospect of inheritance.
A wrongful death claim for damages can help surviving loved ones through the unthinkable following the unexpected loss of their loved one. As a result, it is important for family members who have wrongfully lost a loved one to be familiar with the legal resources available to help and protect them following the loss of their family member.
Source: Injury.findlaw.com, “Wrongful Death Overview,” Accessed May 15, 2018