Our Wrongful Death Lawyers Can Help You Seek Justice for Your Loss
When tragedy strikes and a life is cut short due to someone else's negligence, the skilled wrongful death lawyers at Dortch Lindstrom Livingston Law Group stand ready to help you navigate the complex legal landscape and fight for the justice your loved one deserves.
Liability for Wrongful Death
Unfortunately, a large number of fatalities are caused by negligence, recklessness, and intentional acts. These avoidable deaths leave a hole in the lives of survivors and create significant losses.
Determining liability for a wrongful death starts with understanding the circumstances in which the fatality occurred. In every situation, people owe one another a duty not to engage in actions that unreasonably increase each other's risk of death.
The specific facts of each case determine whether a death is wrongful or not. For example, suppose that a drunk motorist hits and kills a pedestrian crossing the street. Along with facing criminal charges, the motorist would likely be found liable in a wrongful death lawsuit.
In this case, the act of driving drunk makes the death wrongful. However, if the driver was sober and the pedestrian drunk, the driver may not have been at fault.
Common Scenarios Leading to Wrongful Death Claims
Wrongful deaths often occur in various contexts, including:
- Medical care and treatment
- Industrial and construction worksites
- Boating and other water recreational activities
- Intentional violence
- Defective products
Whether or not a death might be considered wrongful in a specific context depends on established legal standards. For example, medical malpractice cases are decided by judging the behavior of a health care professional against clear and mandated standards of care.
Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Certain family members of a deceased person can bring a wrongful death lawsuit for damages. These family members include:
- The spouse
- Parents
- Children
Siblings and grandparents of a deceased person do not have standing to bring a wrongful death lawsuit on the deceased's behalf. However, the personal representative of the decedent may file a lawsuit if the surviving family members do not.
Damages Available in Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Wrongful death damages include compensation for numerous losses that accompany the untimely death of a loved one, such as:
- Lost earning capacity of the person who passed away
- Lost inheritance
- Loss of comfort and companionship
- Loss of service, support, or maintenance from the decedent
- Mental distress
When medical malpractice is the underlying cause of a death, noneconomic damages are limited by a cap that is adjusted for inflation.
How Our Wrongful Death Lawyers Can Help
Navigating a wrongful death claim can be overwhelming, especially while grieving. The experienced attorneys at Dortch Lindstrom Livingston Law Group are here to guide you through every step of the process.
When you choose to work with our firm, our dedicated wrongful death lawyers will:
Conduct a thorough investigation
We will gather all relevant evidence, including police reports, medical records, and witness statements, to build a strong case on your behalf.
Identify all liable parties
Our team will carefully analyze the circumstances of your loved one's death to determine all parties who may be held responsible.
Calculate the full extent of damages
We work with economic experts to accurately assess both current and future financial losses, as well as non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
Handle all communications
Our attorneys will deal with insurance companies and opposing counsel, protecting your rights and ensuring you don't say anything that could jeopardize your claim.
Negotiate for fair compensation
We will aggressively negotiate with the responsible parties to seek a settlement that fully compensates your family for your loss.
Prepare for trial if necessary
While most cases settle out of court, our experienced litigators are always prepared to take your case to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
If you've lost a loved one due to someone else's negligence or wrongful actions, don't face this challenging time alone. The compassionate wrongful death attorneys at Dortch Lindstrom Livingston Law Group are here to support you and fight for the justice your family deserves.