Nothing can be more disheartening than losing your loved one. However, if the cause of death is someone else’s fault or irresponsibility, it triggers lots of emotions (sadness, grief, anger, etc. ) all at once.
In legal terms, this death is known as ‘Wrongful death’. There can be several causes of wrongful death incidents, such as
- Medical malpractice,
- Automobile accidents,
- Workplace accidents,
- Product liability,
- Negligence of the person, and many more.
Nonetheless, the cause of death becomes irrelevant in front of the agony. But, it doesn’t mean that you will stay still and do not fight back to protect the deceased’s right. Remember, the law is made for you to seek justice. You should raise your voice not only for your protection but also for safeguarding the people you love.
Are you wondering- how can you do that? The practical answer to this question would be ‘filing a lawsuit against the defendant (person at fault) liable for the death.’ To learn more about the lawsuit, scroll down!
Understand your state’s law
In the U.S., the wrongful death law varies from state to state. That’s why the professionals at Krzak Rundio Law Group advise understanding the state’s law. Generally, you can file a civil lawsuit against the person along with the criminal charges.
The period for filing the wrongful death claim is two years (if the suit is against a local public entity or the government entity, the period is one year).
Consult your attorney
Once you have understood your state’s law, contact your attorney to file the suit. They are experts in the field and can guide you through the procedure. Discuss the details you know about the incident leading to death with him/her.
Bear in mind; every detail is crucial to help you seek justice. Yes, it is true that none of this can bring the deceased back. However, as far as the financial burden is concerned, your attorney can help you get the claim.
Mandatory requirement of ‘personal representative’ of the deceased
Before you file the case, you must know if you are eligible or not. According to the law, only the ‘personal representatives’ or ‘immediate family’ of the deceased can file the case. They usually include the parents, spouse, or adult child.
File your case
If you are one of the immediate family members, then all you have to do is file your case. Prepare the case with the help of your attorney. In this, the presence of the right lawyer plays a very vital role. As with all the details that you have given, they can offer the proper evidence at the right time to help you win the case. They deal with such issues on an everyday basis. Therefore they know what argument can help you get justice.
What compensations can you get?
After you have presented your case, the judge will decide the final verdict. If it is in your favor, you will be eligible for the following financial compensations:
- Medical bills
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of page wages
- Loss of companionship and consortium
- Grief and sorrow
To sum it all up!
We understand that you can’t value someone’s life in terms of money. However, the power of law is limited. Financial compensation is just a way to help the deceased get the justice he/she deserves. So you need to do your part by getting in touch with the attorney and filing the case against the defendant.
