No one anticipates that a member of their family will lose their life because of an employer, motorist, landowner, or hospital. Life is precious, and those whose misconduct results in the loss of life should be held accountable. Civil law allows family members to take legal action on their deceased loved one’s behalf in the form of a wrongful death claim.
If a member of your immediate family wrongfully loses their life, an empathetic Mathis wrongful death lawyer could help you bring a cause of action for restitution in the form of monetary payments. While our personal injury attorneys know that no amount of money can make up for this type of loss, compensation may provide your family with a sense of justice as well as financial stability.
Common Causes of Wrongful Deaths
A variety of circumstances can lead to preventable deaths. One of the most common causes involves vehicle crashes with drunk or reckless drivers. Wrongful deaths can also occur in workplace accidents or as a result of medical malpractice when healthcare professionals do not follow hospital guidelines and best practices. Hospice workers or nursing home employees can also be neglectful of elderly or incapacitated patients, resulting in preventable deaths.
Individuals or companies who know they behaved immorally will try to walk into court or negotiation rooms to dispute their own liability. A Mathis wrongful death attorney could prevent negligent persons from taking advantage of families and ensure they are held accountable under the law.
Wrongful Death Defined and the Steps to A Cause of Action
Here is the suggested path a family should take to bring a wrongful death cause of action:
- Within two years of a relative’s passing, contact an attorney to investigate whether there is a cause for legal action
- Provide the certificate of death and all related documents to the attorney (i.e., police report, hospital records, communications with those involved)
- Sign a retainer agreement with the law firm to represent the family in negotiations, the courtroom, and all other correspondences
- Attend all hearings and be prepared to deliver victim impact statements
- Wait for the outcome of settlement negotiations or a jury trial
Families are understandably in emotional disarray following a wrongful death. A capable Mathis wrongful death attorney can handle the majority of the legal work and put the effort into calculating recoverable losses. Potential compensation through a wrongful death claim may include damages for medical bills, funeral expenses, and losses that cannot be clearly measured, like the loss of an intimate and parental relationship. A cognizant lawyer could also provide detailed explanations, answers, and analyses of how the damage award process works and how to draft and file vital paperwork correctly.
Connect With a Compassionate Mathis Wrongful Death Attorney
No one deserves to lose a loved one because of someone’s reckless actions or choices. Our dedicated team of experienced attorneys understands the complexities of wrongful death cases. If you have suffered the devastating loss of a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, a Mathis wrongful death lawyer could help your family pursue accountability. Call to schedule your free legal consultation and learn how we can support you through this challenging time.
