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Death is arguably the most devastating result of a serious personal injury. When a loved one dies in an accident or some other incident caused by another’s negligence or wrongdoing, the repercussions can be overwhelming and seemingly unbearable. Luckily support from numerous sources is available to families and loved ones in their darkest hours of grief over the death of a loved one.
Wrongful death is the result of some wrongful act, recklessness, malpractice, or negligence on behalf of one party that causes the death of another party. Wrongful death can occur in a motor vehicle accident, an industrial or other work related injury, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, a defective product, violence, and more. In many cases it can be difficult for the loved ones of a wrongful death victim to recognize that another party’s actions or negligence were responsible for the death.
A caring and competent legal professional is a vital resource for the survivors of wrongful death. An experienced attorney can investigate your loved one’s death to determine if it was caused, in whole or part, by another party’s wrongdoing or negligence. These professionals possess intimate knowledge and experience about wrongful death laws that apply to your case and are trained to help your family seek the compensation you deserve for your losses and suffering.
Historically, when personal injury resulted in wrongful death, any possibility for a legal claim died with the victim. Legislators and legal authorities began to recognize the immense burden suffered by the survivors and beneficiaries of wrongful death victims, and changes in the law soon followed. Now all fifty states have laws which allow wrongful death survivors to file a civil claim against the person responsible for this enormous loss.
The wrongful death laws in every state are slightly different, and therefore it is important to consult a knowledgeable attorney in your area about your legal rights and options. Every state has a statute of limitations which restricts the amount of time a person has to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This time period typically begins when the death occurred and ends when the civil legal action is initiated.
In some cases, however, there is an exception to this rule. When a wrongful death victim’s loved ones have no way of reasonably knowing that malpractice, negligence, recklessness, or some other wrongdoing was involved in the death, the statute of limitations may begin with the date of discovery. In cases like this it is particularly crucial to retain the services of a qualified legal professional who can ensure that your rights and interests are protected.
If your loved one has passed away from something other than natural causes, you may wish to contact a qualified legal professional to learn more about your rights and options. Please contact us to speak to a caring and competent attorney who can help protect and maximize your legal interests.
Related Death News
April 21, 2008 - Family Settles Accident Lawsuit for $400K
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The Radner Law Firm
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