New York Personal Injury Lawyers

We Speak Español &

Who Can File Wrongful Death Lawsuit

/

/

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Who Can File Wrongful Death Lawsuit

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, unintentional injuries are the fifth-leading cause of death in America for people under 35. The top three causes of accidental deaths are car accidents, poisonings, and falls. 

If you lost a loved one due to another party’s negligence, you may be able to pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim. But determining who is eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit is tricky, which is why it’s best to seek these damages with the help of an experienced legal professional.

Family Members Can Pursue Wrongful Death Claims

The specifics of who is eligible to file a wrongful death claim depend on your state’s laws. However, every state allows immediate family members to pursue wrongful death damages. In most cases, this is the deceased’s:

  • Spouse 
  • Child or next of kin
  • Parents or legal guardians

If the deceased was an unmarried adult, many states allow distant relatives to bring a wrongful death claim. This includes siblings, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. However, to recover financial compensation, you may need to prove how the death caused you monetary or emotional damages, such as a loss of benefits, guidance or support.

Keep in mind that most courts only allow one wrongful death claim per deceased. That means a sibling, spouse, and uncle cannot seek a case for the same individual. Instead, the courts will consolidate the claim into one civil lawsuit.

For a free legal consultation, call (212) 732-2929.

Who Files a Lawsuit if the Deceased Has a Will?

In the event that the fatal party possessed a will, the courts appoint a personal representative or executor to pursue the wrongful death lawsuit. The personal representative could be an individual or a company hired to handle the deceased’s estate. 

If this occurs, the appointed representative has to pursue the lawsuit. Once they secure compensation, the rep will pay off the deceased’s remaining debts, such as medical bills or liens. After that, the representative can distribute the remaining funds from the settlement to the decedent’s family members. 

Types of Compensation Available in a Wrongful Death Claim

A wrongful death case is a type of civil lawsuit. Therefore, it does not seek to punish criminals with jail sentences. Instead, plaintiffs seek compensatory damages to make up for the financial and emotional losses they sustained due to the death of their loved one.

The type of compensation you may be able to collect in a wrongful death case include:

  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Medical costs leading up to the death
  • Loss of companionship or guidance 
  • Pain and suffering leading to the death
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of future income or benefits 

It can be complicated to determine the total amount of damages you deserve in a wrongful death suit. But that is where a skilled and experienced wrongful death lawyer can help. A legal professional will assess your claim, demand justice from the at-fault party or insurance company, and make sure your family receives fair compensation for the loss of life.

Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing Wrongful Death?

Every state has its own wrongful death statute of limitations. In most regions, the statute of limitations starts at the date of the death. If you do not file within your state’s statute of limitations, you can lose your right to bring the suit to court and therefore not recover compensation. 

However, some states allow for exceptions to wrongful death deadlines. The exceptions most commonly extend to deaths involving minors, medical malpractice cases, homicides, and cases involving a government entity. 

To ensure you file your wrongful death lawsuit on time, take legal action right away. A wrongful death lawyer in your area can assess your claim and make sure that everything gets filed within the necessary statute of limitations.

Complete a free case evaluation form now.

Seek Legal Representation for Your Wrongful Death Lawsuit

If you lost a loved one and want to file a wrongful death suit on their behalf, partner with a qualified legal professional. The wrongful death lawyers at Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP have been fighting for the rights of wrongful death victims for decades.  

We have recovered millions for families. Even if you are not sure whether you have the right to bring a claim after the accidental death of a loved one, call us to discuss your rights. Our consultation is free, and if we agree to accept your case, you will not be required to pay us any money up front.  

We accept all cases on a contingency, which means that we only recover a legal fee when you receive financial compensation. Contact us now to understand your rights. Our lawyers are ready to help.

Complete a free case evaluation form now.

View Our Results

Read Our Reviews

Explore Our Resources

Work With Our Team

What Situations Warrant Wrongful Death Claims?

Wrongful death suits allow family members to seek justice for a loss of life in the form of financial compensation. Therefore, if you lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence and the death caused your family to undergo losses, you may be eligible to pursue a wrongful death claim.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that unintentional injuries are the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. These accidents form the basis of wrongful death claims.

Examples of unintentional accidents include:

  • Medical malpractice: A medical professional breaches their duty to provide reasonable care to all patients.
  • Nursing home neglect: Nursing home staff fail to provide adequate care to residents.
  • Motor vehicle accidents: Negligent car, truck, bus, or motorcycle drivers cause the death of your loved one.
  • Workplace accidents: Employers fail to provide safe workplaces, resulting in fatal accidents.
  • Premises liability: Property owners or occupiers do not maintain secure premises, and their negligence causes fatal injuries.

Receiving a Wrongful Death Settlement

There is no way to know how long it will take to settle a wrongful death claim. Every case is unique. The timeline typically depends on how quickly you pursue legal action, the complexity of the claim and if the liable insurance company agrees to make the settlement.

Once your wrongful death lawyer gathers and evaluates all evidence of fault and damages,  they can determine a fair recovery, which they demand from the at fault party or parties.

Hire a Lawyer to Prove Your Wrongful Death Claim

It can be challenging to prove a wrongful death claim. In the wake of losing a loved one, taking legal action can be emotionally draining. But a wrongful death attorney from Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP can assist by gathering the necessary evidence to support your claim while you and your family focus on healing.  We have been fighting for injury victims and their families since 1988.

Contact our law firm if you reside in the New York City metropolitan area and want to learn more about filing a wrongful death claim or lawsuit. Our team of experienced wrongful death lawyers is always ready to help you. Call for a free consultation now.  If we agree to accept your case, you will not be required to pay us any money upfront.  We only collect a legal fee when you recover compensation.

 Call or text (212) 732-2929 or complete a free case evaluation form.

“Your ability speaks for itself and you worked meticulously with all of your heart and conscientiousness.”

“Your ability speaks for itself and you worked meticulously with all of your heart and conscientiousness.”

Proven Record of Success

Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP has been advocating for the rights of the injured since 1986. We have the tools, resources, knowledge, and commitment to get you the best possible outcome.

Providing Answers & Solutions

Our team is committed to always being able to provide you with updates on your case and answers to your questions. This is your case and we want to be sure you are confident every step of the way.

Small Firm Dedication & Focus

Our firm is different from most firms in our area in that we are a “boutique” type firm that is small enough to give personal attention to our clients and yet experienced and powerful with a reputation as a hard-hitting litigation firm.

Innovative Legal Strategies

Each client that comes to our team gets a managing partner and trial partner dedicated to their case. We put our collective 100 years of experience behind your case to obtain the best possible outcome on your behalf.

Let Our Team Handle Your Case with Confidence

Contact Our Team Today

Proven Record of Success

Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP has been advocating for the rights of the injured since 1986. We have the tools, resources, knowledge, and commitment to get you the best possible outcome.

Providing Answers & Solutions

Our team is committed to always being able to provide you with updates on your case and answers to your questions. This is your case and we want to be sure you are confident every step of the way.

Small Firm Dedication & Focus

Our firm is different from most firms in our area in that we are a “boutique” type firm that is small enough to give personal attention to our clients and yet experienced and powerful with a reputation as a hard-hitting litigation firm.

Innovative Legal Strategies

Each client that comes to our team gets a managing partner and trial partner dedicated to their case. We put our collective 100 years of experience behind your case to obtain the best possible outcome on your behalf.

Proven Record of Success

Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP has been advocating for the rights of the injured since 1986. We have the tools, resources, knowledge, and commitment to get you the best possible outcome.

Providing Answers & Solutions

Our team is committed to always being able to provide you with updates on your case and answers to your questions. This is your case and we want to be sure you are confident every step of the way.

Small Firm Dedication & Focus

Our firm is different from most firms in our area in that we are a “boutique” type firm that is small enough to give personal attention to our clients and yet experienced and powerful with a reputation as a hard-hitting litigation firm.

Innovative Legal Strategies

Each client that comes to our team gets a managing partner and trial partner dedicated to their case. We put our collective 100 years of experience behind your case to obtain the best possible outcome on your behalf.

Let Our Team Handle Your Case with Confidence

Contact Our Team Today