When a severe accident occurs, it can cost someone their life. Unexpectedly losing a loved one is difficult for any family to go through, but it can be even harder to know that someone’s negligence caused the fatal accident. If this has happened to your loved one, you may be able to seek compensation. Get in touch with a Greenbelt wrongful death lawyer from Belsky & Horowitz, LLC. Our compassionate and experienced lawyers will do everything possible to get justice for your loved one.
While a wrongful death claim cannot undo what happened, you may find comfort in knowing you stood up for your loved one and gave them a voice. Our lawyers have helped families in the past with wrongful death suits and are familiar with their laws and complexities. Let’s take a closer look at examples of wrongful death claims and the elements your claim will need.
Components of a Wrongful Death Claim
When you bring a wrongful death claim forward, you’re going to need to know what happened. There are many ways wrongful death can occur. The type of accident can provide insight into who was negligent, how they acted recklessly, and how the accident resulted in your loved one’s death.
- Motor Vehicle Accidents. A negligent car or truck driver can make a number of mistakes that lead to a fatal accident. Swerving out of their lane, speeding, and following too closely can all cause accidents.
- Motorcycle Accidents. Motorists who are unfamiliar with sharing the road with motorcyclists could cause accidents. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents can easily be fatal because of how little protection motorcyclists have.
- Defective Products. If a dangerous product is put on the market, whether it’s a household appliance or power tool, it can malfunction and fatally injure the person using it.
- Work Accidents. Those who work in the construction or manufacturing industry could lose their lives because of negligence.
- Medical Malpractice. Health care providers who make mistakes put their patients at risk—this could be from missing a diagnosis or administering the wrong medication.
- Nursing Home Abuse. Residents who are abused have an increased risk of death because they aren’t getting the care they need.
- Slip and Fall Accidents. A property that isn’t safe for those on it could have hazards that cause fatal slip and fall accidents.
No matter the cause, negligence was a part of your loved one’s accident. After we find out what happened to your loved one, we’ll work on gathering evidence to prove the person’s negligent actions were why your loved one passed away.
We’ll establish how the responsible party owed your loved one a duty of care, they failed to meet that duty of care by acting negligently, their negligence caused an accident, and your loved one passed away because of the accident.
It’s important to contact a skilled wrongful death attorney in Greenbelt quickly, as there are time limits on personal injury cases. If you’re past the statute of limitations, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to seek compensation. Our lawyers are well-versed in Maryland law and will know which ones apply to your case. We’ll have a clear idea of the time restrictions we have and the deadlines we need to meet. While it may seem like a lot, a wrongful death suit can provide peace of mind.
What Can You Recover in a Wrongful Death Suit?
The surviving family of the deceased can bring a wrongful death suit forward. This could be the surviving spouse, children, or parents. If you have questions about who can file the claim, your lawyer in Greenbelt will be able to answer your questions.
While you’re dealing with a loss of a loved one, the emotional toll of what happened can be overwhelming, but there are other areas where you may feel strain as well. If you depended on your loved one’s income to maintain your livelihood, you may find that in jeopardy. Some may feel that it’s not appropriate to worry about this, but your financial security is important. You shouldn’t have to worry about being able to keep your place of residence, keep up with bills, and put food on the table.
When a Greenbelt wrongful death lawyer is representing you, all your losses will be assessed. This can include lost wages your loved one may have missed if they were in the hospital before they passed and also loss of earnings, which is what your loved one would have earned had they continued to work.
Your economic losses can also include funeral and burial expenses and medical bills. Without these hanging over your head, you can grieve for your loved one without external stressors.
There’s also the noneconomic side of the suit—the pain and suffering your loved one may have endured from the accident as well as the loss of companionship you’re experiencing. This sudden shift in your life is something that will not be ignored. Your noneconomic losses may not have an exact monetary amount assigned to them, but these losses are just as painful as the economic ones. These will be taken into account when your lawyer is calculating your compensation.
Find the Help You Need in Greenbelt Today
When you’re going through the turmoil of loss, allow our wrongful death lawyers to help you get through the legal process. Belsky & Horowitz, LLC is proud to provide legal services to Greenbelt families when they need it most. We’re prepared to show the negligent party how their actions have cost someone their life and caused irreparable loss to a family. Contact our office today for an obligation-free consultation.
We understand how difficult this process will be and we’ll be at your side every step of the way. We’re ready to answer your questions and explain what’s happening so you never feel out of the loop. We’ll do everything we can to get you the compensation you deserve so you have the space to grieve for your loved one.
