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Wrongful death law applies when the defendant’s conduct results in the death of the victim, and surviving family members bring a tort action because they have suffered as a result of the victim’s death. Wrongful death actions are brought to compensate the survivors.
Wrongful death laws are found in statutes of each state. The time limits for filing such suits, eligible survivor qualifications, and permissible damages will vary by state as well.
If you have lost a loved one in an accident, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a free case evaluation with an experienced wrongful death attorney.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-863-5312
How Are Wrongful Death Cases Different?
Most states recognize both a wrongful death claim and a survivor action. These actions are aimed at holding the defendant accountable for their wrongdoing. Wrongful death actions pay compensation to the deceased victim’s family. The survivors can recover for loss of financial, emotional, and other support that the victim provided to the household.
Survival actions, in contrast, pay for damages suffered by the victim due to the defendant’s conduct. These types of damages can include compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, and other damages the victim endured between the time of injury to death. Survival damages are generally paid to the victim’s estate and not directly to the family, although they will likely eventually be passed down to the survivors as heirs or beneficiaries of the estate.
Wrongful death cases will usually stem from negligence cases. Examples include automobile accidents, medical malpractice, and premises liability cases. Wrongful death can also include death that resulted from intentional conduct, including homicide.
Wrongful Death Cases Are Unique in the Legal World
Statutes set out the law concerning wrongful death claims, as opposed to negligence, which is judge-made law. As such, wrongful death cases are generally less open to interpretation by the courts. Instead, state legislatures set out specific requirements that plaintiffs must meet in order to prevail in a wrongful death action. Failure to meet these requirements will result in a dismissal of the action.
Wrongful death cases may also involve some interplay between civil and criminal proceedings. Any criminal case brought against the defendant will be filed by the prosecutor on behalf of the state. Charges can include homicide, voluntary manslaughter, and much more. A jury must convict the defendant according to the rigorous reasonable doubt standard.
In a civil case, the action is filed by the victim’s family to recover monetary damages. The family must prove the underlying tort and convince jurors by the preponderance of evidence standard, which is a far lower standard than “beyond a reasonable doubt.” As such, a defendant may not be guilty criminally, but can still be liable civilly.
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Our Nationwide Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help
The nationwide wrongful death lawyers at Zinda Law Group understand the complex and unique laws surrounding wrongful death. Wrongful death awards often include damages for emotional pain and suffering, loss of income, loss of inheritance, funeral and burial expenses, exemplary damages, loss of companionship, and much more.
If you have lost a loved one due to negligence or an intentional act, we will fight for your full recovery. Call Zinda Law Group toll-free at (800) 863-5312 to schedule your free consultation with one of our skilled and compassionate wrongful death lawyers.
Meetings with attorneys by appointment only.
Recommended Reading:
How to Find the Best Wrongful Death Lawyer
How Do I Know If I Have a Wrongful Death Case?
Different Kinds of Wrongful Death Cases
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