If you have lost a loved one to an accident caused by someone or something else, you could be entitled to compensation for your loss through a wrongful death lawsuit. As we’ll explore, a wrongful death lawsuit in Laredo is meant to provide you with damages to cover the financial losses associated with the death of your loved one, in addition to damages for their support and contribution to your household.
When someone or something else has caused an accident that led to the death of your loved one, working with a personal injury attorney from Hill Law Firm can make the difference between moving on with nothing, or recovering the full amount of compensation you are entitled to. Read on to learn more, and reach out to Hill Law Firm to discuss the unique facts surrounding your case to see how we can help.
When Can I File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Laredo?
A wrongful death lawsuit is filed on behalf of the surviving family of a person who died in an accident that was caused by someone or something else. If you have lost a loved one to an accident, the unique facts and circumstances of the accident will determine whether or not you have a wrongful death claim. Consulting with a Laredo wrongful death attorney to explore the circumstances of the accident that led to the death of your loved one will determine if you have a case a lawyer can help on.
Every accident has unique facts and circumstances, and the way that the law and prior case precedents apply to them will determine what you are entitled to.
Car Crashes & Workplace Injuries Can Cause Wrongful Deaths
Wrongful deaths happen by accident, and two of the most common causes of wrongful death are motor vehicle collisions and workplace accidents. When your loved one has died as a result of injuries that happened during an accident, you could be entitled to collect damages from the party that is responsible for the accident.
Common accidents that lead to wrongful deaths include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents and 18-wheeler crashes
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Construction falls
- Workplace accidents
- Chemical exposure
When these accidents have occurred, you may have the options of filing a claim or lawsuit to collect compensation on behalf of your loved one and family.
How Do I Determine Who is at Fault and Liable?
The damages paid out on a wrongful death claim generally come from the insurance company of the party that caused the accident. Examples of this include the insurance company of the commercial 18-wheeler that hit your loved one, or the insurance company of their employer. To collect compensation for your loss, you’ll need to prove who or what was responsible for the accident, and then submit a claim to their insurance company.
You can only collect damages that you can prove with evidence that is incorporated into your claim. The claim process can be complex and lengthy, as the insurance companies make more profit by paying you less, or nothing at all.
Wrongful Death Damages in Laredo Must be Claimed
While it would be ideal if your wrongful death damages were paid out automatically upon the death of your loved one, this is not the case. You must identify the party responsible for the accident through evidence, then collect additional evidence to calculate your damages then incorporate that into the drafting of a claim. The claim is then submitted to the insurance company, who may offer a settlement, or they may choose to offer nothing and require your Laredo wrongful death attorney to take them to court.
What Damages Come Out of a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
A wrongful death claim is sometimes referred to as a “loss of consortium” action. What this means is that you are receiving compensation for the loss of the companionship and contributions of your lost loved one. The damages that you are entitled to include the loss of the emotional support and companionship of your lost loved one. The court recognizes the value of relationships, and will award damages based upon this value.
In addition to damages for the loss of consortium, in a wrongful death claim you also are entitled to compensation for the loss of the financial contribution of your loved one to your household. This is an important part of a wrongful death claim, as it helps to provide you and your family with support in your time of grieving and need.
Calculating the amount of damages you are entitled to in a wrongful death action can be complex. It includes the amount of income your loved one would have contributed to your household throughout their entire working life. This amount is then adjusted to equal the present value of money, and incorporated into your settlement.
Your Attorney Battles for Fair Compensation
With a Laredo wrongful death attorney by your side, you can step back and focus on helping your family get past your loss while your attorney handles everything else. If we take your case, we handle everything from collecting evidence to drafting the claim. Then, we’ll negotiate the best possible settlement with the insurance company, and if they refuse, take them to court on your behalf. If we take your case you pay nothing up-front, and nothing out-of-pocket, with our payment coming out of a portion of the earnings we generate for you that we’ll agree upon before getting started.
Connect with a Laredo Wrongful Death Attorney Today
Working with an experienced wrongful death attorney from Hill Law Firm will help to protect your interests and ensure that you recover what you are entitled to. For your risk-free, cost-free assessment on your case, schedule a consultation to explore options with us. Our dedicated team of Laredo wrongful death attorneys are prepared to provide you with top-notch representation so you can focus on coping with your loss.