Losing a loved one due to someone's negligence is the ultimate tragedy. While nothing can bring them back, wrongful death claims exist to provide financial security for those left behind.
Expert information to help you understand your rights and options
Wrongful death lawsuits provide compensation to families when negligence, recklessness, or intentional acts cause death. These claims recover economic losses, funeral expenses, and compensation for the loss of companionship. Learn about wrongful death claims, who can file, and available damages.
State laws determine who can file wrongful death claims—typically spouses, children, parents, or estate representatives. Standing requirements vary significantly between states. Learn who can bring wrongful death claims in your jurisdiction and relationship priorities.
Wrongful death claims compensate survivors for their losses, while survival actions recover damages the deceased could have claimed if alive. Many families pursue both claims simultaneously. Understand the difference and how these claims work together.
Car accidents are a leading cause of wrongful death, with claims against negligent drivers, vehicle manufacturers, and sometimes government entities for dangerous roads. Fatal crash cases often involve substantial compensation. Learn about auto accident wrongful death claims.
Defective products causing death create strict liability claims against manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Families do not need to prove negligence—only that defects caused death. Learn about product liability wrongful death claims and available remedies.
Medical malpractice causing death includes surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication mistakes, and failure to treat. These complex claims require expert testimony about standard of care violations. Learn about medical malpractice wrongful death claims and proving negligence.
Nursing home neglect and abuse cause preventable deaths through falls, bedsores, medication errors, and inadequate supervision. Families can pursue wrongful death claims against facilities and staff. Learn about nursing home wrongful death claims and proving neglect.
Workplace deaths entitle families to workers compensation death benefits plus potential third-party claims against non-employers. Multiple recovery sources may be available. Learn about workplace wrongful death claims and maximizing family compensation.
Wrongful death damage calculations consider the deceased age, earning capacity, life expectancy, and relationship with survivors. Economic experts often testify about lifetime losses. Understand how damages are calculated and factors affecting wrongful death value.
Loss of consortium compensates family members for the loss of companionship, guidance, services, and relationship the deceased provided. These intangible losses often exceed economic damages. Learn about consortium claims and how courts value relationship losses.
Wrongful death damages include lost income and benefits, funeral expenses, medical bills before death, and non-economic damages for loss of companionship and guidance. Some states cap certain damages. Learn about available wrongful death damages and how they are calculated.
Wrongful death settlements depend on deceased earning potential, defendant liability, insurance coverage, and jurisdiction. Settlements range from thousands to millions depending on circumstances. Understand settlement factors and evaluating wrongful death offers.
Criminal prosecution does not prevent or replace wrongful death civil claims—families can pursue compensation regardless of criminal case outcomes. Civil cases have lower proof requirements. Understand how criminal and civil cases interact and why both may be pursued.
Wrongful death settlement distribution among family members follows state law formulas or court determination. Disputes can arise between surviving spouse, children, and parents. Learn about settlement distribution rules and protecting your share.
Wrongful death claims face strict filing deadlines—often 1-3 years from death, not from when negligence occurred. Some states have shorter deadlines for specific defendants. Missing deadlines bars your claim. Learn applicable wrongful death filing deadlines.
Child wrongful death creates unique damage calculations since children have not established earning histories. Parents recover for loss of companionship, guidance, and the child future potential. Learn about child wrongful death claims and valuing these devastating losses.
Elderly wrongful death involves shorter life expectancies but still significant damages for remaining years, medical costs, and loss of companionship. Age does not diminish claim value. Learn about elderly wrongful death claims and appropriate valuation.