The unexpected loss of a loved one can throw a family’s future into uncertainty and doubt. These family members may have to deal with the immediate costs associated with their loved one’s death as well as the emotional impact. This family must also keep their future in mind as the loss of their family member may affect many aspects of their lives moving forward.
A wrongful death lawsuit may be able to bring financial stability to your family’s future if you recently lost a loved one due to someone’s negligent behavior. A Stamford wrongful death lawyer could help you file a claim that holds the at-fault defendants accountable for any financial and emotional losses you and your family may have experienced.
If your loved one’s incident would have resulted in a civil lawsuit had that not died, you may have a valid wrongful death claim. A compassionate personal injury attorney could work to meet the state’s strict requirements for wrongful death suit, accurately measure the impact of the loss on your family’s future, and demand appropriate payments from all responsible defendants.
According to state law, a death is wrongful when the circumstances that led to the death would have given rise to a personal injury claim had the victim survived. This means that to file a claim on behalf of their loved one, a decedent’s family must have a cause of action against a defendant due to negligence or intentional harm. Some examples of cases that may give rise to a wrongful death claim may include:
A plaintiff must prove that a defendant was negligent by failing to provide adequate care for the wellbeing of the decedent. It is important to note that a defendant can be held responsible for the results of their negligence, no matter how serious those consequences may be. Therefore, the fact that an accident victim dies as a result of that failure is incidental to whether the defendant is at fault. A Stamford wrongful death attorney could help determine if a family has a valid claim based on the specific cause of the incident.
The purpose of a wrongful death lawsuit is to provide monetary and emotional comfort to a decedent’s surviving family members. Some damages can be direct monetary losses, such as hospital, funeral, or nursing expenses according to Connecticut General Statutes §52-555.
Other losses may be more difficult to measure. For instance, a surviving spouse may sue for the value of loss of companionship and loss of consortium that results from their spouse’s death under CT Gen. Stat. §52-555b.
A claim also could measure the economic impact of the incident on the family’s future. If the deceased was a wage-earner or was expected to be one in the future, a wrongful death lawsuit can demand compensation in the form of lost earning capacity. A Stamford lawyer who is familiar with wrongful death cases could help evaluate the monetary value of a claim and pursue damages in the fair amount.
The sudden loss of a loved one is a tragedy that can have a lasting impact on your future. When this loss is the result of another party’s negligence or intentional act of violence, your family may have the right to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit.
Contact a Stamford wrongful death lawyer immediately to learn how they could help you and your family move forward.