Losing a close friend or family members can be one of the hardest things that life can throw at you. It can be even harder to deal with when their death is sudden and caused by the negligence of someone else. When that happens, you’re not only left with crushing grief because of your loss, you’re left with medical expenses, funeral costs and perhaps a loss of wages. The questions can haunt you. Why did this happen? Who was responsible? How will you keep going?
It can’t replace the person you’ve lost, but a wrongful death suit can help you get some answers and may help you receive compensation to pay for expenses and pain and suffering. To launch a wrongful death suit, there are a few criteria that must be met:
- Someone has died.
- The death was the result of someone else’s negligence.
- The surviving family members are experiencing financial burdens because of the death.
- Someone is appointed the representative for the deceased’s estate.
Keep in mind, a wrongful death doesn’t have to mean there was malicious intent on the part of the person or company that caused the death. A wrongful death could arise from a doctor who didn’t provide a reasonable standard of care. It could arise from an on-the-job accident where hazards were present. It could even arise from an activity that’s not properly supervised.
If a loved one has been taken from you because of the negligence of another, an attorney can sit down to discuss your case and may be able to help you get compensation.
