We would like to thank CMG Law in Seattle Wa for this information. Accidents are common and they can either end up in serious injuries or death. When someone dies due to the action of another person this is known as wrongful death. This can be quite devastating for the estate that is left behind. While there is no amount of money that can be enough to compensate for the loss of life, wrongful death claims are meant to protect the bereaved families. This serves as compensation for their economic and non-economic damages.
When someone dies after an accident, a wrongful death claim can be filed by specific people. Before taking the action to file for a wrongful death claim, it is advisable to speak to an experienced wrongful death attorney for guidance. This will help you know if you have the right to file for the claim or not. This article will address this issue, with the help of the input of professional personal injury claim lawyers.
Filing for Wrongful Death Claims
In most states, there are specific parties that can file wrongful death claims. When there are several parties who want to file a wrongful death claim, they are all enjoined in the matters as plaintiffs. The people that are commonly allowed to file for such a claim are:
- Spouses of the deceased
- Domestic partners
- Children of the deceased
In the event that these people do not exist, this right is extended to other parties, who have a legal entitlement to the claim. Some of these parties include:
- Parent of decedent
- Siblings
- Named dependents
- Putative spouse
- Step-children of the decedent
Generally, the claim is meant to protect all those who depended on the deceased person. There must be proof of relationship with decedent and also documents to show that parties dependency.
When Should You File for a Wrongful Death Claim?
There are quite a number of legal complexities in wrongful death matters. Losing a loved one is an easy thing and it can be emotionally draining. Most states give a statute of limitations for wrongful death claims, which is about 2 years. This period is strict and cannot be extended and this is why you should engage a wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible. Once you have identified the right lawyer, you will have enough time to grieve your loss, while the legal issues are being pursued.
It helps to find an experienced lawyer to pursue wrongful death compensations. These are professionals who know how to calculate the deserved settlement and can be of great help. Talking to a reputable wrongful death will help understand this process in detail. Most law firms will give you a free assessment of the case.
In Summary
In conclusion, there are specific people defined by law that can file a wrongful death claim. We have tried to discuss this in detail and if you have any questions, leave a comment below. Our work would be to connect you to the right information and give you accurate details.