No amount of money can bring back a loved one; however, a wrongful death claim can help you recover if you lost a loved one due to another person’s negligence. A Glastonbury wrongful death lawyer from Connecticut Trial Firm, LLC can help you build a case and hold the responsible party accountable.
Although you are likely dealing with immense grief and stress, talking to a Glastonbury personal injury attorney can help you get closure and heal from your loss after a fatal accident. Our team is here to help right the wrongs of the negligent party.
Common Types of Wrongful Death Cases in Glastonbury
Several types of accidents can result in fatal negligence. Some of the most common types of wrongful death cases include:
- Medical malpractice
- Premises liability
- Product liability
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
Our team of wrongful death attorneys in Glastonbury can help determine if you have a valid case. If you do, we’ll start working on your case and fight for the compensation you need.
Damages Our Glastonbury Wrongful Death Lawyers Can Help You Recover
A wrongful death lawsuit aims to compensate for what you and your loved one went through prior to their death, similar to a personal injury claim. There are specific damages recoverable in a successful wrongful death lawsuit. These include:
- Medical costs from before your loved one’s death.
- Pain and suffering your loved one endured.
- Compensation for your family’s loss of capacity to enjoy life.
- Lost future earning capacity, concerning what you and your family members now lack in terms of financial support.
- Burial expenses.
- Mental anguish.
- Funeral expenses.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Loss of inheritance.
- Loss of consortium.
- Punitive damages if the at-fault party intentionally hurt your loved one.
If the lawsuit is successful, the reimbursement for these losses will be paid into the victim’s estate, which could then be disbursed according to the deceased person’s will or intestacy law.
A Glastonbury wrongful death attorney will further detail how this process might play out in your case.
The Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims in Connecticut
There is a statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in Glastonbury to keep evidence fresh and prevent potential defendants from fearing a lawsuit long after an incident. This statute requires you to file within two years of the victim’s death and five years of the fatal incident.
Even though there is a strict deadline, each Glastonbury wrongful death case is different. Your circumstances could grant you more time to file your claim. In contrast, you could also have less time than you think.
Failing to comply with the statute of limitations may lead to a dismissal of even the strongest claim. This highlights the importance of contacting a skilled wrongful death attorney in Glastonbury, CT, to build your case soon after a fatal accident.
Valuable Evidence in a Glastonbury Wrongful Death Case
Several pieces of evidence can help build a strong case after your loved one’s death. Some evidence our Glastonbury wrongful death lawyers will use include:
- Surveillance footage: Analyzing CCTV footage from nearby establishments to establish a timeline of events leading to the incident and identify potential witnesses.
- Eyewitness testimonies: Gathering statements from individuals at the accident or incident scene provides insights into what led to your loved one’s death.
- Expert witness analysis: Consulting with experts, such as accident reconstruction specialists or medical professionals, to offer professional opinions on the circumstances surrounding the unjust death.
- Medical records: Medical documents and records can help us understand the extent of injuries your loved one sustained and the medical treatment they received, helping to establish the connection between negligence and the fatal outcome.
How Are Wrongful Death Claims Different from Other Cases?
Wrongful death claims are similar to personal injury lawsuits in that an accident victim files against the person responsible for their injuries to recover compensation. However, wrongful death claims are unique because the accident victim can no longer enforce their rights in court.
In light of this, Connecticut General Statutes § 52-555 allows a victim’s loved ones to enforce their rights. By filing a lawsuit, surviving family members can seek compensation the decedent would have been eligible to pursue had they survived their accident, as well as additional damages for pain and suffering.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
In Glastonbury, the only person who can file an unjust death claim on behalf of a deceased accident victim is the executor or administrator of that person’s estate. This person is designated in the deceased person’s will or estate plan or, if no one is named in these documents, appointed by the court.
Talking to a loved one’s administrator after an accident and urging them to pursue a claim may be the first step to a successful outcome.
How does a Wrongful Death Attorney Prove Negligence?
To hold the liable parties accountable for their actions, your Glastonbury wrongful death lawyer must prove negligence. There are four elements of negligence that our team must prove:
- Duty of care: The person that hurt your loved one must have had a responsibility to avoid harming others.
- Breach of duty: The person must have broken the duty of care by performing negligent actions or failing to act responsibly.
- Causation: Your lawyer must show evidence of negligence that the person’s actions directly led to your loved one’s death.
- Damages: Losing your loved one must have caused you and your family to suffer financial and non-financial losses.
If these elements are present in your Glastonbury, CT, case, you could recover fair compensation for your losses. One of our attorneys can give you an initial case consultation to determine if you have a case.
Work With a Glastonbury Wrongful Death Attorney Today
You or a loved one can suffer no greater injury than a fatal one. However, just because your family member cannot invoke their rights to financial compensation in court does not mean that you have no options to recover financially on their behalf.
By contacting a compassionate Glastonbury, CT, wrongful death lawyer at Connecticut Trial Firm, you can effectively take action and recover the compensation you and your family qualify for. Contact us to get a case evaluation; we’re available 24/7.
