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What To Do When Wrongful Death Occurs

When a wrongful death occurs, it is an emotional and unsettling experience for everyone involved. When a person dies as a result of the misconduct or negligence of another person, it often leads to a wrongful death investigation and lawsuit. In a wrongful death lawsuit, the victim’s family or loved ones seek damages for the loss of life. Wrongful death damages may include compensation for lost income, loss of companionship, and loss of guidance or support. In cases where the wrongdoer’s behavior was particularly reckless or motivated by malice, there may be additional damages to punish the wrongdoer and to discourage others from behaving in that way. 

Wrongful death can occur when there has been a car accident, motorcycle or truck wreck, medical malpractice, or construction accident. If you or your loved ones are experiencing a potential wrongful death investigation, our wrongful death lawyers can help.

 

What To Do if You Have Experienced a Wrongful Death Situation

After a wrongful death, it is important that you meet with a legal team as soon as possible. Do not sign any paperwork before consulting with a legal professional because you may be signing a form that is inaccurate, unfair, or may contain terms that result in legal consequences that you do not understand or expect. Regardless of how your loved one wrongfully died, a wrongful death lawyer will be able to walk you through the process.

Gather any and all paperwork, information, or evidence that you are able to. You will be able to work together with your lawyer to detail the specifics of your wrongful death case to explore the best option for you and your family. Make sure your lawyer knows about the identity of any third parties who have information about what happened.

As you are grieving and beginning the process of investigating a wrongful death case, it is important to refrain from communicating with the offender. Although you may be emotional, it is best to only communicate with the other party through your attorney. Your attorney will know the best way to obtain the information needed for your case without jeopardizing your interests.

 

Who can file a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

While the statutes for wrongful death vary from one state to another, the applicable wrongful death statute will provide insight into who is legally eligible to sue for wrongful death.

A wrongful death action is usually brought by the parents, spouse, or children of the victim. In some situations, brothers or sisters of the deceased can pursue a claim. Kansas recognizes common law marriage, while Missouri does not. This can lead to complicated legal questions when a non-marital partner dies. There can also be issues with children who were not formally adopted. We can help unravel those issues.

 

Our Team is Here to Help

If you have lost a loved one, we empathize with you. We have worked with many others who have faced a similar tragedy. We understand that this is an extremely difficult experience to go through, especially if you lost someone due to another person’s negligence. We are here to help you through this difficult time. Wrongful death cases are complex and emotionally draining. It would be our privilege to guide you through this difficult time. Contact us or call us for a free consultation at 913-839-2808.