Losing a loved one due to another person’s negligence is the most devastating incident you may deal with in life. You have questions about how the person died and if things could have turned out differently. You want your loved one to get justice even if they are gone. At this point, seeking compensation may be the only way to ease the pain in the family and ensure things are taken care of. A wrongful death claim helps cover the expenses your family incurred. The deceased may have left behind a substantial medical bill and funeral expenses. Additionally, the family may have also lost the breadwinner. All these losses should be covered, which is why you should file a wrongful death claim.
You may not know the compensation you are entitled to during this time. You may not even know where to start if you have not previously dealt with such a case. It is crucial to ask for help from a lawyer to know how to go about it. The lawyer will also help you know the compensation you will likely receive. Remember, you will encounter many challenges when pursuing justice for your loved one. However, the process is more straightforward with an attorney by your side, and you have time to mourn your loved one. The following are vital questions you should ask the lawyer to know how much you are entitled to and how to go about the process of filing a wrongful death claim.
What is the Cost of Hiring a Lawyer?
Lawyers charge their services differently. Some lawyers work hourly, while others charge contingency fees. The fees mean you will pay the lawyer once you get the compensation. The cost may also depend on the lawyer’s work to get the settlement. However, getting a wrongful death lawyer near you is the best option, regardless of how much it will cost. You will be on the safe side and increase your power to negotiate.
How Does the Process of Filing the Claim Work?
The first step is to evaluate if you have a case. The lawyer will do the job. After that, you will file the claim against the person at fault. After filing the claim, you will have a case, and the work will be to pursue the compensation. You will need a lot of things to back up your claim. That means photos, documents, evidence, and witnesses. The good thing about having a lawyer is that they will do almost everything for you and ensure you will not miss any detail.
Who Can File the Claim?
The only people who should file a wrongful death claim are those close to the deceased. The representative may or may not collect the compensation. Such include parents of the deceased, siblings, heirs, children, spouses, grandchildren, and close relatives.
What Damages Will My Family Recover?
There is no amount of settlement that can cover the loss that the family of the deceased incurs. However, the compensation received from the claim can help ease the pain and release the burden of the expenses the deceased left behind. Some damages recoverable in a wrongful death claim include;
Medical expenses. This is the primary recoverable damage in such a claim. If the victim has severe injuries where they spend time in the hospital before their death, the family can recover damages based on the extensive cost of the treatment the deceased received.
Burial expenses. The family will also get compensation for funeral and burial expenses. Money should be crucial to cater to the family’s expenses during this stressful time.
Loss of support and companionship. The claim also demands compensation for the loss of support, care, companionship, and love.
Loss of income. If the deceased was the breadwinner, you could also recover damages for the lost income.
What Should I Do If the Insurance Company Comes with a Settlement?
The insurance company will approach you if you have a case to give a settlement. The settlement usually is meager and not enough for the damages. So, when the company comes with the settlement, you should never accept it unless it is enough to cover everything. The best thing to do is work with the lawyer to negotiate a better settlement.
The Takeaways
Dealing with the death of your loved one, especially if it was due to the fault of another person, is devastating. This is why it is crucial to know your rights and the damages you can recover from the loss. Therefore, work with a wrongful death attorney to help you get fair compensation.
