It is hard enough to lose a loved one in an accident, but even harder to find out they were lost due to the fault of another. The guilty party may be another person or even an entity, such as a product or vehicle manufacturer, but that does not mean they should not be held accountable for their actions.
That is why there is a legal option for the survivors known as a wrongful death claim. This type of lawsuit is meant to get compensation for the survivor’s losses, which can be for lost wages, funeral expenses and lost companionship.
Who Can Bring Forth A Wrongful Death Claim?
Specific rules may be different from state to state but most are similar across the board. For starters, immediate family members are able to file a wrongful death claim in all states. Spouses, children and parents of unmarried children are considered immediate family members.
Some states take it a step further and allow a domestic partner or life partner to also bring forth a wrongful death claim. They might also let a person who is financially dependent on the deceased to bring forth a claim.
Now that you know you have the power to bring forth a wrongful death claim, you need to know who you can bring it against and what types of accidents might call for it. When it comes down to it, almost any type of accident can warrant a wrongful death suit.
From car, truck and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice and slip and fall accidents, a wrongful death suit could mean justice for you and your lost loved one.
In the instance it was a motor vehicle accident you might be able to bring the lawsuit against the driver of the vehicle, the manufacturer, installer or distributor of the faulty part of the vehicle, the designer or builder of the faulty road that caused the accident, or even the government agent who did not provide adequate warnings as to the road hazard that might have caused the accident. If the driver was under the influence at the time you could even bring the suit against the person that sold or served or gave them alcohol or the owner of the place where they were served the alcohol.
A wrongful death suit is a serious matter and clearly requires serious consideration and attention to detail. That is why you will need the help of an experienced wrongful death lawyer.
New Jersey Lawyers Can Help With Your Claim
If you have lost a loved one in New Jersey, you should seek out the counsel of the Law Offices of Andres, Berger & Tran, P.C. The lawyers there have extensive experience when it comes to wrongful death claims and understand just how trying this time might be for you.
They will make sure to get you full compensation for your losses and can make all the difference for you and your family. Just fill out the contact form and you can begin speaking with a lawyer about your case today.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
