Your loved one has died, but how do you know if it was a wrongful death? Wrongful death is a legal term that means that someone died as a result of someone’s conscious, wrongful, negligent, or reckless action that disregarded the health and safety of another. The person may not have intended harm, but their actions were not at all what a normal, prudent person would have done. In fact, their actions may have been criminal. Sometimes a case goes to criminal court and a separate case goes to civil court to get financial damages for families.
If you are wondering if you have a wrongful death claim, talk to a Richardson wrongful death lawyer at Ted Lyon Law. Call 877-Ted-Lyon (833-5966) to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. An experienced personal injury attorney can explain the claims process and the potential compensation you may be entitled to.
Financial Recovery in Wrongful Death Claims
Surviving family members can be compensated for straightforward expenses and lost income. These are economic damages, and include:
- Medical care your loved one received before death
- Funeral and burial costs
- Lost wages, not only when they were in the hospital, but also the wages they would have received if they had lived. If they would have received a pension or an inheritance, that is also included.
Our wrongful death lawyers in Richardson can also help you receive money for non-economic damages, which is compensation for the harm done to you and your family. This includes:
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering before they died
- The distress, anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma suffered by family members
- The loss of companionship, care, affection, and parental guidance your loved one would have provided to your family
- The loss of services they would have provided to the running of your household and the care of your family, such as child care or elder care, home maintenance, and more
In egregious cases of negligence or reckless behavior, a court can choose to award “exemplary” damages. They are making an example of the guilty party and punishing them by ordering additional payment on top of economic and non-economic damages.
Should You Settle with the Insurance Company or Take Your Claim to Court?
Insurance companies have their own method for calculating the value of a claim. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be able to recover more money if you take your case to court and win. Our wrongful death attorneys are experienced trial court litigators. We have the skills to determine negligence, recklessness, and disregard for safety. We investigate the presence of dangerous drugs and the role they play in the wrongful death of a parent, child, or spouse. We don’t just settle cases; we go to court if that’s what needs to be done to get a fair recovery for our client.
But the best course of action depends on the facts of your case. Our law firm and Richardson lawyers have been handling wrongful death claims for more than 50 years. Let our experience guide you as you decide how you will move forward with your claim.
A surviving spouse, children, and parents can bring a wrongful death claim within two years of the person’s death. The executor or representative of an estate can bring a wrongful death action within three calendar months of the date of death if close family members have not filed a claim.
Call for a Free Consultation with a Richardson Wrongful Death Attorney
While no amount of money will fill the void of your loved one’s absence, a financial settlement can provide the stability you need to move forward from this tragedy. Schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced Richardson wrongful death lawyer by calling 877-Ted-Lyon (833-5966) or contact us online.
We handle all wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. That means we only earn a fee if we win your case. Our law firm has been recognized in many ways over the years, including selection to the Super Lawyers list and an AV Preeminent Rating* in Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system.
*AV Preeminent is a certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories: legal ability and ethical standards.
