Wrongful Death
Losing a loved one: What you should know about filing a claim
While death is a normal part of life, there are times when it comes prematurely. It’s never easy to see a child pass away or to watch someone die before he or she should. When a death is a result of a person’s negligence or reckless behavior, it’s important for families to have a chance to pursue a claim for compensation. A civil lawsuit or insurance claim gives you a chance to seek compensation from the person who made errors that cost your loved one his or her life.
While it’s true that money can’t bring back the person you lost, it can make your life easier. The person who killed your loved one may be asked to pay for medical care and other financial losses, like the loss of your loved one’s wages.
When you decide to file a lawsuit, remember that you have limited time to do so. Wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date of death in most cases. Additionally, it’s only children, surviving parents and spouses who can pursue a wrongful death lawsuit in court. If the person who died was a minor at the time of death, then both parents, if living, must file the claim together.
The kinds of recovery you should be expected to make include funeral and medical expenses, burial costs, hospital costs and lost wages. The costs of pursuing the claim may also be recovered. Our site has more information on what you can do if you lose a loved one due to another person’s negligence. The right help can make a difference.
Author Matt Boulton
