Hampton Wrongful Death Attorney

Psychologists and other mental health professionals have consistently ranked the death of a loved one as one of the most stressful times in a person’s life. The mental strain and anguish is only multiplied when a loved one passes, not from natural causes, but prematurely due to the careless actions of another. This leaves surviving family members in a terrible and unenviable position: not only must they process their grief and anger while burying their loved one, but they must find a way to deal with the sudden expenses that accompany a death like final medical and hospital bills, funeral expenses, and burial costs.

You do not need to suffer through this time alone. While a monetary damages award will not bring back your loved one, it can provide some measure of peace and comfort to you and your family knowing that the person responsible for the death of your loved one is held accountable for your family’s financial losses and grief.

What Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

A wrongful death lawsuit is a legal action filed on behalf of a deceased individual to recover compensation that the deceased individual would otherwise be entitled to recover. In addition, there are losses that the surviving family members experience that can also be compensated through a wrongful death lawsuit. A monetary damages award can be recovered to compensate the surviving family for:

• The deceased’s final medical expenses and medical bills;
• The deceased’s funeral and burial expenses;
• The deceased’s lost wages between the time of injury and the time of death (available, for example, if the deceased was involved in a car accident but did not actually die until weeks or months later);
• The deceased’s pain and suffering he or she experienced prior to death;
• The deceased’s future earnings he or she could have been expected to receive had he or she worked until retirement;
• The family’s pain and suffering;
• The family’s loss of consortium, or their loss of the company and presence of the deceased; and/or
• Punitive damages designed to punish a defendant who acted willfully in causing your loved one’s death.

Who Can Be Sued in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Any individual or entity that contributed to your loved one’s untimely passing can be the defendant in a wrongful death lawsuit. Courts will consider all the evidence describing how the fatal accident occurred and assign each responsible party a percentage of fault. At-fault individuals and entities can include:

• Individual persons and drivers;
• Coworkers or supervisors of the deceased;
• Businesses that directly contributed to the accident or whose employees contributed to the accident;
• Manufacturers of machines, cars, parts, chemicals, or other dangerous products;
• Local or state government agencies and their employees; and
• Other individuals who acted carelessly or negligently.

Call Hampton Injury Law for Legal Assistance

Virginia wrongful death attorney Jan Hoen of Hampton Injury Law possesses the experience and resources necessary to help you through this difficult time. He will hold those responsible for your loved one’s death accountable for their actions so you and your family are able to grieve and mourn your loved one. Call for a consultation today.