Why It’s Important to Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer
The death of a loved one can be a devastating blow to those left behind. The loss of a spouse, parent or child can wreak havoc on relationships and leave survivors with immense financial and emotional burdens to bear. A wrongful death lawsuit can compensate family members of the deceased victim for their losses. Although no amount of money can replace a lost family member, it can help ease the financial strain of funeral expenses, medical bills and other related costs. A wrongful death claim can also hold accountable those responsible for the victim’s untimely passing.
A wrongful death lawsuit can be filed against any person or entity that was responsible for a victim’s death, including government agencies. However, many of these claims are challenging to win because the alleged responsible party will have insurance companies working on their behalf. It’s important to hire an experienced wrongful death lawyer to fight for the best possible outcome.
An experienced wrongful death attorney can review police and accident reports, statements from eyewitnesses, witness testimony and other evidence to build a compelling case on your behalf. In cases involving fatal traffic accidents, an attorney could discover surveillance video footage that proves what happened to your loved one. This could include violations of traffic laws, speeding, reckless driving or other actions that contributed to the crash.
Some states have what’s called a discovery rule that allows a lawsuit to be brought within a specified period of time starting from the date when the cause of the death became known. An attorney can explain how the discovery rule applies to your case and ensure that your legal right to file a lawsuit is preserved.
Your wrongful death attorney can calculate your financial losses and present them in an effective way to a jury. These damages can include medical and funeral expenses, lost wages, loss of inheritance and the cost of pain and suffering. For example, each surviving minor child may be entitled to receive compensation for the mental pain and anguish caused by the death of their parent.
A wrongful death attorney can also pursue punitive damages in cases of gross negligence, like drunk driving deaths. These damages are intended to punish the defendant and deter others from engaging in similar misconduct.
A wrongful death lawyer is an expert in the law of negligence and can identify all types of negligent conduct that could have contributed to your loved one’s untimely death. These could include negligence, breach of duty, or even intentional or reckless acts. A qualified wrongful death lawyer can negotiate with the responsible party’s insurance company to reach a fair settlement offer or take your case to trial. Contact an attorney in our directory today for a free consultation. The attorneys in our database are recognized Super Lawyers for their superior skills and experience in this area of the law. They have successfully represented clients throughout Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Livingston, Steuben and Yates Counties in Western New York as well as other parts of the United States.
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