The loss of a loved one is always tragic, but it may be even more upsetting if someone else’s actions or negligence caused their death. You and your family members may be eligible for compensation because this may have been a preventable death.
Negligence might play a role in most common accidents that lead to death, including a car crash, a fall in an assisted living facility, an accident on someone else’s hazardous property, poisoning, drowning, etc. But many bereaved families who suspect wrongful death struggle to get past their sadness and bring their loved one’s case to justice. Below, we will guide you on what to do if you suspect wrongful death.
Keep a record of all corresponding documents.
Start compiling a file of any papers that even remotely relate to the circumstances of the deceased person’s passing. Even if you’re unsure, keep it. Create duplicates and save your documentation neatly in a secure area to prevent loss. This evidence will support your claim against a negligent party if you suspect wrongful death.
Documents pertinent to a wrongful death suit include:
- Test findings, hospital expenses, and medical records of the injury that resulted in death
- Charges associated with a burial, cremation, funeral, or other end-of-life services
- Paychecks, bank deposits, and documentation attesting to the deceased’s income
- Employment agreements
- Records of the deceased’s retirement plans, health insurance, life insurance, and other benefits obtained from their job
- Any records demonstrating how the death has affected your family, including invoices for mental health or trauma counseling, private journal entries, or adjustments to your job, volunteer work, or social life.
Engage a wrongful death attorney.
There are several justifications for working with a wrongful death attorney. First, you can never be sure how your case will turn out, no matter how compelling you believe it to be. The stakes are very high in wrongful death cases. As such, you must present yourself in the best possible light. You can make sure this occurs with the aid of a wrongful death lawyer.
You also require a dispassionate expert to counsel you on your next action. Although your emotional attachment to your loved one is positive, it can also make it challenging to view situations impartially. You need someone to stand up for you, defend your rights, and help you make the right choices for your family and yourself.
Examine the circumstances leading to wrongful death
A wrongful death lawyer will help you look into the circumstances surrounding the loss of your loved one after you have engaged them. A wrongful death is when someone passes away as a result of another person’s legal wrongdoing.
Make a wrongful death claim.
Filing a wrongful death case is the next step if your wrongful death attorney has looked into the circumstances surrounding the death of your loved one and feels that there is a wrongful death issue. You must file your wrongful death claim as soon as possible since there may be a statute of limitations involved.
final words
If you are dealing with the wrongful death of a family member, you should contact a wrongful death attorney to guide and help you obtain justice for your loved one.