The aftermath of a wrongful death can be painful and distressing for family members. When a loved one passes away, the emotional and financial impacts can be difficult to bear. When that death occurs because of another person’s wrongful act, the path to compensation can seem even more complicated.
Fortunately, a wrongful death lawyer can help victims’ family members recover financial compensation. There are multiple categories of monetary damages available to plaintiffs in wrongful death lawsuits. The compensation awarded can provide crucial support to families during times of hardship.
If your loved one suffered a wrongful death in Linden, NJ, get help pursuing the financial compensation available to you. Contact our experienced Linden wrongful death lawyers by calling The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083 for a free case review.
Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Linden, NJ
Under N.J.S.A. § 2A:31-2, wrongful death cases in Linden must be filed by victims’ personal representatives. A personal representative is someone who was chosen to administer the estate of the deceased. If the victim did not choose a personal representative, one will be appointed by the court.
Furthermore, N.J.S.A. § 2A:31-3 establishes that wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within two years of victims’ deaths. However, you should not wait to file your claim. Important evidence can become hard to collect as time goes by. For instance, witnesses may leave town and important financial documents can become lost. You should contact our Linden wrongful death lawyers as soon as possible after a loved one’s death, so we can begin gathering evidence to support your case.
Who Can Recover Damages in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Linden, NJ
If a wrongful death case is successful, there are multiple family members of the victim who can recover financial compensation. Monetary damages may be awarded to the following parties:
- Spouses
- Children and grandchildren
- Parents
- Siblings, nephews, and nieces
If your family member was killed because of another person’s wrongful act, our experienced Linden wrongful death lawyers can help determine the appropriate steps toward compensation.
Types of Damages Available in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Linden, NJ
There are several factors surrounding your loved one’s death that can impact the types of damages awarded in your case. Our Linden wrongful death lawyers can help determine which of the following damages may be recovered in your case during a free case review:
Lost Financial Support
In some cases, families of wrongful death victims will suffer immense damages in the form of lost financial support. Accordingly, victims’ families may be compensated for the lost financial support they would have received if their loved one had not passed away.
Calculating these damages can be a difficult task. Expert witness testimony may be required to determine the true value of a family’s lost financial support. Our team can help call on the right experts to support a claim for lost financial support.
Lost Household Services
Damages for lost household services may also be recovered in wrongful death lawsuits. For example, a victim may have provided crucial household services in the form of household maintenance and child care. In that case, the victim’s family may be compensated for the lost household services they suffered. Our Linden wrongful death lawyers can help fight for damages for lost household services in your case.
Medical Expenses
Additionally, in some cases, a victim may have undergone costly medical procedures before ultimately passing away because of their injuries. In such cases, families can recover compensation for the medical expenses their loved one incurred.
These damages are typically proven through medical records and bills. Our team can obtain copies of the records required to recover damages for medical expenses in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Loss of Companionship
Loved ones can also recover damages related to the loss of companionship they suffered because of a wrongful death. The impact of lost care and affection can be hard to quantify. Therefore, the assistance of our Linden wrongful death lawyers can be very helpful when seeking compensation for lack of companionship in your lawsuit.
Funeral and Burial Costs
Lastly, victims’ families may also recover compensation for funeral and burial costs through wrongful death lawsuits. Family members should not worry about how to afford their loved one’s funeral. Our Linden wrongful death lawyers can help victims recover compensation for funeral and burial costs.
Types of Evidence Used to Prove Fault in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Linden, NJ
In order for a wrongful death lawsuit to be successful, plaintiffs must show that the victim’s death occurred because of another party’s wrongful act. The following are examples of evidence used to prove fault in a wrongful death lawsuit in Linden:
Eyewitness Statements
Eyewitness statements can be very helpful when proving that a defendant was at fault for a wrongful death. Witnesses can help explain the events that unfolded before, during, and after a fatal accident. Our Linden wrongful death lawyers can provide guidance and support when reaching out to potential witnesses in your case.
Surveillance Footage
Surveillance footage can also be used to establish fault for a wrongful death. Like witness statements, surveillance footage can help show why an accident occurred. However, recovering relevant surveillance footage can be a frustrating endeavor. Parties in control of such evidence may not act in cooperation with plaintiffs. Our attorneys can help recover copies of relevant surveillance footage in your case.
Accident Reports
Furthermore, accident reports can also be very helpful when proving that defendant caused a wrongful death. After many types of accidents, official accident reports are created. For example, a police officer should visit the scene of a fatal vehicle accident to draft an officer’s accident report. Furthermore, after a deadly slip and fall accident on a construction site, employees who were present at the time may be asked to fill out a report. These reports can provide a variety of details that point to the root cause of a wrongful death.
Photos from the Scene
Lastly, photos from the scene are often used to prove fault for wrongful deaths. For example, photos of a dimly lit staircase can be used to show that a broken light fixture contributed to a deadly slip and fall accident. Our Linden wrongful death lawyers can help assess the pertinence of any photos from the scene in your case during a free case review.
If Your Loved One Suffered a Wrongful Death in Linden, NJ, Our Lawyers Can Help
If your loved one suffered a wrongful death, seek support from our experienced Linden wrongful death lawyers by calling The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083 for a free case review.