Losing a loved one can feel unbearable. Grief and loss can overwhelm you and make it difficult to get through each day, let alone support yourself or your family. Learning that your beloved spouse, parent, or child’s death was preventable can magnify your sorrow and anger.
If you suspect someone else’s mistakes or willful misconduct led to your loved one’s untimely death, consider filing a personal injury claim. A New Haven wrongful death lawyer can explain your rights and help guide you through the legal process.
Different states have different rules as to who can file a wrongful death suit for compensation. Connecticut law limits eligibility to the executors of a decedent’s estate. Consequently, the types of damages available to surviving family members of a deceased loved one are different than in other states. In states that allow spouses, parents, and children to file direct claims for wrongful death, those relatives can directly sue for damages that they personally suffer. In other words, family members can sue for loss of companionship, emotional support, or guidance.
Because Connecticut only allows administrators or executors to file claims, those claims do not generally cover a family’s losses, other than the loss of consortium for a surviving spouse. According to Connecticut Statutes Section 52-555, an executor can bring a claim to seek damages suffered by the decedent themselves, not the family. Some types of recoverable damages include:
Seasoned local attorneys have extensive experience with Connecticut’s wrongful death statute and know how to maximize a family’s potential recovery.
A wide variety of factors can affect how long it takes to resolve a wrongful death legal suit. Quick resolutions often come with cases that have less disputed facts and legal issues. Some cases require a detailed understanding of complex issues, such as cases involving deaths resulting from defective products. Other cases involve disputes in liability where a defendant argues that they were not responsible for causing the decedent’s death. If the at-fault person accepts liability, the only disputed issue might be the amount of damages.
The skilled attorneys at Berkowitz Hanna have extensive experience with investigation and negotiation. We know how to comb through evidence, searching for proof of precisely what caused the decedent’s death. From here, our knowledgeable attorneys can use that evidence to identify the responsible parties in a Connecticut wrongful death case and build solid claims against them. As experienced negotiators, our legal team knows how to maximize a claim’s potential value in order to help surviving family members.
Losing a loved one because of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing is devastating. The people responsible for your loved one’s death should be responsible for the harm they caused. A wrongful death lawsuit could give you the chance to hold the at-fault party legally and financially accountable for what they did.
If you lost a loved one to a car crash, sports injury, medical error, or other type of fatal accident, reach out to a New Haven wrongful death lawyer right away. Our dedicated team at Berkowitz Hanna is committed to making things right for you, and we will fight hard for what you deserve.
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