When a loved one dies in an accident that was caused by another person’s negligence, there is a chance that a wrongful death lawsuit will result. This is a civil claim that attempts to recover some of the financial aspects of the loss. These cases aren’t easy to get together so you should try to learn about them before you file a claim.
One of the important points about these cases is that there are specific points that must be present in them. The person who passed away has to be human, so this requirement is easy to meet. The death had to have been caused by an accident that was the result of an intentional action, recklessness or negligence. The person’s death had to cause a financial hardship for the complainant. There has to be a personal representative named to handle the deceased person’s estate.
When all of those points are met, you can move forward with your claim. You need to gather evidence in the case so that you are able to prove your side of the story. This is important because it can have a big impact on what happens with the claim.
You will have to determine the amount of loss that you suffered because of the death. This includes the money you are out of because of final expenses and related costs. It can also extend to the loss of income that comes from the situation.
Ultimately, you have to decide how to handle this situation in a way that you feel is best for your needs. Explore your options, but do so quickly because you are under certain time limits in these cases.
Source: FindLaw, “Wrongful Death Overview,” accessed Feb. 23, 2018
