Accidents can happen anywhere and at any time. Since these accidents are not foreseen incidents, it can be hard to recover from them financially. They can lead to a slew of medical bills that can put people in debt. Sometimes these accidents prove to be life-threatening. They can even result in death. If you have a loved one who has suffered from an accident and died, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim.
A wrongful death claim can benefit the filer by providing compensation. This compensation can help to afford costs for the funeral arrangements or to pay off the medical bills of the individual. With this extra money, the family will be relieved of some stress during this emotional time. The family may even be able to recover compensation for non-economic damages. These damages can account for the emotional turmoil that loved ones have suffered from due to the unexpected death of their loved one.
Who decides how much money is compensated?
Upon filing a wrongful death claim, the case will need to be heard by a judge who will decide on the matter. When judges decide on the amount of compensation provided to the family, they will have to consider a number of factors. These factors may include burial and funeral expenses, loss of contributions for alimony or child support, lost income if the person was to have lived, loss of household services, including spousal and parental responsibilities and mental suffering on behalf of the family. They can consider the economic and non-economic aspects of the incident.
Who should file the wrongful death claim?
A wrongful death claim can be filed by a family member, including a spouse, parent or child. If these individuals are not present, then the claim can be filed by another related party. This party should be a blood relative or an individual related through marriage that was significantly dependent on them. The wrongful death claim can benefit the member that files it depending on their relationship with the deceased.
If you are in this situation, it is important to discuss this situation with an attorney. The attorneys at Timian & Fawcett, LLC provide effective legal services to clients in Prince George’s County, Washington, D.C. and all of Maryland. Our firm is dedicated to our clients. If you need our help, we are ready to serve. Contact Timian & Fawcett, LLC.