The wrongful death of a loved one is a heart-wrenching experience. The loss of a loved one is hard for both family and friends. There can be many causes of a wrongful death ranging from automobile accidents, and defective products, to the negligence of another. If the cause of death is deemed negligence, the person responsible for the loss is liable for their actions.

The family and friends of the departed must go through dramatic changes during this time in their lives. A claim is taken by the family of the departed against the “negligent party”, attempting to claim money, goods or services that would have been acquired by the deceased.

Damages receivable by the deceased’s family can include:

• Loss of consortium by the surviving spouse or children
• Loss of the deceased’s future earnings
• Loss of potential inheritance
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical costs accumulated prior to death
• Physical pain
• Mental suffering on part of the deceased and their family

A state-mandated “statute of limitations” governs wrongful death cases. Should you or a loved one be victim of a wrongful death, you should seek the counsel of an experienced wrongful death attorney to adhere to time limits, and present a compelling case. Attorneys will often employ medical experts, private investigators, reconstructionists, as well as many others to assist in the presentation of their case.