Injuries - Wrongful Death
Wrongful death is the term used when someone causes the death of another person. The death may be caused by someone's actions or by their failure to act (neglect). Wrongful death is a civil action rather than a criminal action. Since the person killed (decedent) cannot file suit or collect damages, it is the family or representatives of the estate that do so. The intent is to recompense family members who have suffered monetarily and emotionally from the death. Damages can be assessed for lost wages and benefits, loss of companionship, and emotional pain and suffering caused by the trauma.
A defendant can only be held responsible for a wrongful death if it can be proved that the defendant's conduct was the cause of the death. It must be proved that the death would not have occurred without the defendant's act. The time between the defendant's action and the death of the decedent is not a factor as long as it can be proved that the defendant's action was the cause of death.
Different states have different methods for deciding who may file a wrongful death suit, who may recover damages, and how much can be recovered. Generally, it must be shown that the death was caused by another's wrongful act, that the act was such that the decedent would have been due damages from the act, and that monetary damages did arise from the act. If these three criteria are met, it is possible that a wrongful death claim can be filed.
If it can be shown that the decedent was partially responsible for their death, then he or she may be found to have comparative or contributory negligence. When this happens, damages may be awarded based on the percentage of negligence imputed to the decedent. Also, if the decedent failed to seek appropriate medical care and that failure led to his death, there may be no grounds for a wrongful death claim or a reduction to an award.
In a case of wrongful death, damages are assessed to compensate family members for their losses. There are many ways in which damages can be calculated. Since damages can be awarded in a number of areas, it is important to examine each one carefully.
The most obvious loss in a case of wrongful death is the actual expense occasioned by medical and death expenses. These are usually easy to determine.
Less obvious, but equally important, are the loss of future earnings and benefits, as well as the loss of companionship. Earnings and benefits are difficult to calculate and include anticipating the lifespan and earnings of the decedent, as well as the relationship to remaining family members.
Loss of companionship is also difficult to calculate because it is totally subjective and does not lend itself to empirical measurements. It is a measure of the emotional pain and suffering experienced by the survivors.
A final area of damages is punitive damages. This is an amount awarded to punish the person who caused the death, rather than to compensate for a specific loss. It can typically only be awarded when the action of the defendant was intentional or grossly negligent.
If you suspect that your loved one's death was someone else's fault, call VanDerGinst Law at 1-866-843-7367 or click here for a FREE online case evaluation. The initial consultation is free of charge. If we agree to handle your injury case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if, and when, there is a money recovery for you. In many cases a lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. So please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.
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| Sat, 04 Sep 2010 13:54:53 GMT $43.5m Ordered in Wrongful Death Suit WSB-AM Atlanta A jury says a Sandy Springs lawyer and nursing home operator should pay $43.5 million to the family of a man who died at a Rome nursing facility. Click here to read this Injuries - Wrongful Death news article. |
| Sat, 12 Jun 2010 07:00:00 GMT Hebrew Conversation Class: Beginning The Daily Lobo Health care is one of the best issues this current administration has done thus far. Click here to read this Injuries - Wrongful Death news article. |
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| Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:17:51 GMT Oral Arguments In Ragland Wrongful Death Suit Set To Begin KLEX TV More than a decade after the death of a UK football player, the victim's family and the man who admitted shooting him are back in court. Click here to read this Injuries - Wrongful Death news article. |
| Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:47:00 GMT Fayette County Pays for Wrongful Death WCHO-FM Washington Court House The county has agreed to pay-out $250,000 after they were accused of mishandling a civil protection order that led to a murder-suicide. Wednesday, September 1, 2010 Fayette County has settled a wrongful death lawsuit concerning a murder-suicide in November 2006. Click here to read this Injuries - Wrongful Death news article. |
| Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:09:21 GMT Former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Is a Defendant in Wrongful-Death Suit Legal Times Former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Phillips, now a partner in the Austin office of Baker Botts , is a defendant in a wrongful-death suit in Bastrop County, Texas. Click here to read this Injuries - Wrongful Death news article. |
