If your loved one has recently died, then there is a chance that you could successfully pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. Even though money cannot compensate for your loss, it can help with funeral costs and dealing with your new circumstances. To help you out, here is a brief overview of what a wrongful death lawsuit is:

What is a valid wrongful death lawsuit?

If your loved one died due to the fault of another, then there is a good chance that your situation qualifies. Negligence, intentional injury, defective products, and a number of other causes can be claimed in a wrongful death lawsuit. However, every situation is unique and you should probably consult a wrongful death attorney before committing. Even if you don't hire the attorney to represent you, they are your best means of determining whether your situation qualifies and exactly how large of a sum you should pursue.

What is the purpose of a wrongful death lawsuit?

Death can often have a huge emotional impact on loved ones, but it can also have financial implications that don't become apparent for a while. In many cases, lost income, health care benefits, and medical/funeral expenses can be incredibly huge amounts of money and can build up to crippling debt. A wrongful death lawsuit might be your best chance at mitigating those debts.

You may also pursue damages for less tangible losses, such as love, companionship, or protection. These values can be much harder to quantify into money, so you will probably need the help of a lawyer to identify exactly how much money should should pursue in such a scenario.

Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit?

While a great deal of wrongful death lawsuits are pursued by immediate family members, they are not the only group that is able to do so. Distant family members and dependents are generally also able to file, but they might need to prove their relation/dependence upon the deceased.

When can you file a wrongful death lawsuit?

A very important attribute of wrongful death lawsuits is that they have a statute of limitations. Depending on your state, you generally have a year or two to file a lawsuit after the death. Every state has its own laws regarding the matter, so it is important that you check as soon as possible. In the worst case scenario, you might already be past the deadline and filing a lawsuit would probably be a waste of time and money. Talk to a local attorney, like Bangel, Bangel, & Bangel, for more information.

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