Wrongful Death

'Wrongful death' is a death that has been caused by the fault of another person.  For example, a death caused by negligence, carelessness, drunk driving, or the manufacture of a defective or dangerous product may be considered under the law as a "wrongful death."

Wrongful death lawsuits or claims are generally filed by family members or beneficiaries of the decedent.  In some instances, these claims are filed in order to obtain:

• Expenses associated with the death, e.g., medical and funeral
• Pre death pain, suffering or mental anguish suffered by the decedent
• Loss of companionship, care and consortium of the survivors of the decedent
• Punitive damages intended to punish wrongdoers and deter such events from happening in the future
• Loss of accumulation to the estate of the decedent

If a loved one has suffered a wrongful death, you may be eligible to receive compensation under the law.