Hartford Wrongful Death Lawyer
Whenever someone you love passes away it can be difficult. But it is especially difficult when your loved one’s death is due to the negligent or malicious actions of another person or company. Wrongful death claims allow a person who represents the estate of the deceased victim to file a lawsuit against the person or entity (such as a corporation) that is legally responsible for the victim’s death. In a wrongful death case you may be able to receive compensation from the liable parties and their insurance carriers. However, wrongful death claims are complex and hard fought. It is important that you receive the right guidance from an experienced wrongful death attorney. in every step of filing and resolving your claim.
If you believe you have a wrongful death claim in Connecticut, please contact Hartford wrongful death attorney Andrew Cates for a free claim evaluation toll free at (800) 330-4988 or (860) 522-7044, or contact us online.
Causes of Fatalities in Wrongful Death Cases
Wrongful death is defined as death caused by another person’s intentional action or negligence. Listed below are some of the more common causes of wrongful death claims:
- Motor vehicle fatalities – According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there were 45,343 motor vehicle accidents in 2005 which lead to unintentional deaths. Many of these traffic fatalities were the result of drunk driving.
- Medical malpractice fatalities – According to the Institute of Medicine, approximately 98,000 Americans die every year due to preventable medical errors. This includes 7,000 deaths caused by medications errors.
- Slip and fall accidents – The CDC reports that there were 19,656 slip and fall fatalities in 2005. Such accidental deaths may be considered for wrongful death status if there was negligence involved.
- Work place fatalities – According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in 2006 there were 5,840 fatalities as a result of work place accidents.
How Does a Wrongful Death Suit Work?
In some cases, a wrongful death suit will follow a criminal trial, with the defendant in the criminal trial being the defendant in the wrongful death case. But this is not always the case as wrongful death lawsuits are often filed in cases in which there is no criminal prosecution.
A wrongful death trial may involve similar evidence as the criminal trial that proceeded it. However, a wrongful death case is one in which the victim’s estate or family sues the defendant in civil court and the standard of proof is a fair preponderance of the evidence (as opposed to a criminal trial where the defendant must be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt).
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Suit?
In order to file a wrongful death suit against a person or entity, the party who decides to file the lawsuit must be a personal representative of the deceased’s estate. Connecticut wrongful death statutes allow the representative of the deceased to sue the responsible party for civil damages, including grief and mental suffering. However, any amount recovered is normally held in a special trust and designated to all the beneficiaries.
What Should I Do if I Think I Have a Wrongful Death Claim?
If you believe your loved one died due to the negligence or reckless action of another person or entity, call our office immediately to speak with a Connecticut wrongful death attorney. Wrongful death cases are complicated. Our attorneys have the skills, experience and resources needed to help you secure maximum financial recovery, and seek justice for your deceased loved one.