A wrongful death lawyer can help your family cope with the tragic loss of a loved one. A financial settlement can ease your burdens, allowing you to focus on moving forward and planning for the future. Depending on the circumstances, you may also be entitled to additional special damages. These can compensate you for the loss of companionship and the diminished enjoyment of life that results from your loved one’s death.
Wrongful deaths often happen because of the negligent, reckless or intentional acts of others. An experienced New York wrongful death lawyer can review your case and determine who might be responsible. For example, if your relative died in a car accident, your attorney could request police reports and interview eyewitnesses. They may also investigate whether nearby surveillance cameras recorded the collision.
Unlike personal injury claims, wrongful death cases use different rules of evidence and have a higher standard of proof. The jury must be convinced that someone’s actions were the direct cause of your loved one’s death. A wrongful death lawyer familiar with your state’s laws can explain the standards for proving fault in this type of civil lawsuit.
Each state approach to wrongful death law varies. Some allow only the spouse and children of a deceased person to file a lawsuit, while others extend this right to putative spouses, siblings, adult children, extended family members, and even non-family members. A wrongful death lawyer can help you understand how the laws in your state apply to your specific situation.
The person who files a wrongful death suit must establish that there were financial losses caused by the loved one’s death. For example, if your loved one was killed in a car crash because the other driver was speeding, your lawyer can review police reports and interview eyewitnesses to demonstrate that the other driver violated traffic laws. Your lawyer can also examine the scene of the accident for evidence such as skid marks and a damaged vehicle.
Your wrongful death lawyer can also calculate any lost economic income. This includes past earnings and potential future earnings. Your lawyer may hire an expert economist to evaluate your family’s needs and the amount of financial compensation you should receive.
In addition to monetary compensation, your wrongful death lawyer can seek punitive damages. This type of award is meant to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future. Your lawyer can discuss the circumstances of your case with you and explain if punitive damages are appropriate.
The financial burden of losing a loved one can be overwhelming. An experienced wrongful death lawyer can review your case, identify those who should be named as beneficiaries, and fight to get you the full value of your claim. Contact an attorney today to get started. Your consultation is free. Call today or complete our online form for a quick response. We look forward to helping you move forward. Your discussions with our firm are confidential.