If your family member is killed as the result of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. Lawsuits involving a wrongful death seek to hold the responsible party or parties accountable to surviving family member. They also seek compensation for funeral expenses and other expenses left behind by the deceased as well as the loss of companionship and services the decedent provided to the survivors. Wrongful death claims involve all types of negligent acts that cause death from car crashes to more complicated incidents such as medical malpractice.
For a defendant to be held accountable in a wrongful death civil action, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant’s negligence was the cause of the victim’s death. In some wrongful death cases, this is one of the most difficult elements of the claim. The burden of proving wrongful death claims lies with the claimants. They must prove the case by a preponderance of the evidence in front of a judge or a jury.
All wrongful death civil prosecutors have their own approach to handling wrongful death claims and will work hard to hold the negligent individuals accountable. In some cases, wrongful death claims will settle before they reach trial. Each state has their own laws that apply to wrongful death cases. Hiring an experienced attorney who has a track record of obtaining favorable outcomes in wrongful death cases is critical to ensuring that your case will be handled properly.
Attorney Steve Sanders has a background in theological education and abides by a moral code as it relates to the American legal system. Thus, our firm does not think of “justice” in strictly monetary terms, rather we see “justice” as holding responsible parties accountable and obtaining the full compensation our clients need to rebuild and move forward with their lives.