Wrongful Death

Hiring an attorney or seeking legal action is usually the last thing on a grieving family’s mind after the loss of a loved one. Unfortunately, the law sets time limitation for filing a wrongful death claim. It is important for family members of the deceased to consider retaining a wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible.

In addition to the extreme emotional pain of losing a loved one, families are often faced with significant financial burdens arising from funeral costs and the loss of support of the deceased. The monetary compensation recovered through a wrongful death lawsuit allows a family to mourn the loss of their loved one without having to worry about financial burdens.

The wrongful death attorneys at Teston & Burruss recognize the value of the deceased and are prepared to assist the surviving family recover the true value of their loss.

What is a Wrongful Death Claim?

Wrongful death occurs when negligence, recklessness, or intentional behavior results in a person’s death. A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit filed by the surviving members of an individual who has died due to the negligence, wrongdoing, or recklessness of another. In a wrongful death case, the law allows the surviving family members of the deceased to file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover monetary damages for their loss. The wrongful death suit is meant to provide money as compensation for relatives who depended upon the deceased for financial support.

Some of the most common causes of wrongful death include:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Medical malpractice
• Workplace accidents

What are Wrongful Death Damages

Damages is the monetary compensation families receive for the death of their loved one.  A number of factors will be considered by the court and the jury in determining the amount of money that should be awarded to the family of the deceased. These factors often include the amount of the deceased’s income, the life expectancy of the deceased and the surviving family members, the specific relationship between the survivor and the deceased, and what personal services the deceased provided to the survivors that may be irreplaceable. For example, a wife can recover compensation for the loss of her husband’s companionship. A child can recover compensation for the loss of parental companionship and guidance.  Every surviving family member of a deceased can seek to recover compensation for the lost support and services.

At Teston & Burruss, our team understands not only the financial hardships families face after the loss of a loved one, but the personal and emotional hardships that no amount of damages can relieve. If you have a loved one that has died due to the bad acts of another you may be entitled to compensation. To learn more about your legal options, contact us today for a free case evaluation.