When a loved one dies in an accident that could have been prevented if another party had taken a greater level of care, you may have the right to file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for your damages and the damages to your loved one’s estate. While receiving compensation can never make up for the loss of your loved one, it can be incredibly important for helping your family move on. The financial losses related to a death can be substantial, and you should not have to shoulder this burden alone. A trusted wrongful death lawyer can help you identify any negligent parties in your loved one’s death and help you take steps to hold them accountable, as well as assist in determining what level of compensation is appropriate for your situation.
Not all death-related damages are immediately apparent. For example, even if you are employed full-time, losing a spouse’s income can make it difficult for you to keep up on household expenses. Through a wrongful death claim, you can seek compensation for the loss of his or her immediate earnings as well as your loved one’s projected future compensation, including employment benefits.
Certain damages are payable to the victim’s estate, such as the cost of his or her funeral. Without this compensation, you could have to pay for a funeral on your own, which can be expensive. There are also the damages you, the spouse or another close loved one to the victim, can suffer. These include the loss of the victim’s companionship and your need for psychological counseling or medication to work through the grief.
If you have minor children with the victim, you will need to file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for the damages they suffered because, as minors, they cannot do this themselves.
When a child loses a parent in an accident, he or she loses more than the financial security the parent’s income provided. He or she loses the parent’s guidance, love, and possibly an eventual inheritance from the parent.
In short, you have the right to file a wrongful death claim if you are the spouse or adult child of the victim. If you are the parent of a minor who died in an accident, you also have this right. Do not let comments from others or a fear that your claim will be too expensive or unsuccessful keep you from exercising this right. Alongside your tangible compensation for your damages, you can receive the closure you need through a wrongful death claim. This is priceless.
A wrongful death claim cannot bring your loved one back. You know that. But you might not realize all the ways you can benefit from a wrongful death claim. Contact our team of experienced wrongful death lawyers at the Law Offices of Shane O’Donnell to schedule your free consultation with us. We can discuss your case in greater detail with you to help you better understand your rights and options.
We can help you get through your legal crisis. Contact the Law Offices of Shane O’Donnell today.