Hamilton County Wrongful Death Lawyer
A wrongful death happens when one person passes away because another person made a careless choice. A decision to drink or ingest drugs and then attempt to drive, using a dangerous machine on the job site without proper training, or allowing neighborhood children use of one’s swimming pool are just a few of the many ways that needless and careless deaths could occur.
A Hamilton County wrongful death lawyer’s efforts and assistance could be helpful to surviving family members of a decedent struggling to pay for the decedent’s final expenses. Compensation obtained through a lawsuit may also help replace the financial support the decedent provided to his or her family members.
Essential Components of a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Lawsuits following the untimely death of a close relative are deceptively complicated matters. Compensation for a loved one’s passing is not guaranteed simply because the family member is no longer alive. Instead, the person or people bringing a wrongful death lawsuit must show the following to be able to recover monetary damages:
- The person filing the suit is the decedent’s spouse, a surviving child, the decedent’s next of kin, the representative of the decedent’s estate, or the decedent’s parent(s)
- The person is filing the lawsuit within one year of the decedent’s death (not necessarily the same date that the decedent suffered an injury)
- The defendant committed some careless act that any other reasonable person would not have done under the circumstances
- The defendant’s negligent act caused or was a significant contributing factor to the decedent’s untimely death
- The decedent and the surviving family members suffered some harm that is compensable with a monetary damages award
The successful plaintiff must also prove that the amount of compensation the plaintiff is requesting is reasonable and appropriate. Compensation for the final medical expenses of the decedent and the decedent’s funeral expenses, for instance, should be supported by medical bills and invoices. A qualified attorney in Hamilton County could help wrongful death plaintiffs determine an appropriate amount of compensation to seek through a lawsuit.
Compensation Available in Wrongful Death Cases
The compensation that wrongful death plaintiffs are entitled to recover in Hamilton County could address both the losses experienced by the decedent as well as those suffered by the plaintiff and surviving family members. These losses include:
- Medical costs like the cost of ambulance services and surgeries that the decedent incurred before death
- Burial and funeral expenses
- Any pain, mental trauma, or suffering the decedent may have experienced before death
- The surviving family members’ pain and suffering
- Wages the decedent would likely have earned and contributed to his or her family
Both financial losses that the decedent or surviving family members have already incurred as well as expenses the decedent’s loved ones are likely to face in the future are compensable.
Talk Today with a Hamilton County Wrongful Death Attorney
Losing a loved one in a tragic and senseless accident is a terrible occurrence made more burdensome by the expenses and costs associated with the sudden loss of life. You need and deserve a dedicated advocate by your side, protecting your family’s rights at this critical time.
A Hamilton County wrongful death lawyer could discuss your rights with you. You do not have much time to take action to pursue compensation, so do not put off talking with an attorney today about your next steps.
