A sudden, unexpected loss in your family is an incredibly devastating experience. Whether you lost your spouse, child or parent, a tragedy like this can put family members into a tailspin. After the immediate aftermath of the accident, you might consider the existence of legal options available to you and your family, including filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
Personal loss and medical expenses
Why file a wrongful death lawsuit? To hold responsible the negligent party and any other party whose actions led to this preventable tragedy. For example, if your loved one was fatally struck by a drunk driver, maybe the driver had a long history of drunk driving convictions.
This specific scenario can lead to a wrongful death legal action in seeking financial compensation for:
- The personal loss suffered by your family: This may entail the loss of companionship, mental anguish and personal sorrow suffered.
- The lost income of the family member: The monetary loss caused by a loved one’s death may lead to financial hardship for the family.
- Medical expenses: Surviving family members may receive compensation for medical services provided from the date of the accident until the death of a loved one who may have survived for a time in the hospital.
- Funeral and burial costs: Death-related costs may include those related to funeral home expenses, memorial services and the death certificate.
The pain and grief will linger, and therapy may help with the family’s emotional recovery.
Action that may help
In your time of grief, taking legal action might fall low on your list of priorities. However, families should keep in mind that there is a time limit in place in which you can file a lawsuit. In Illinois, for example, the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is two years from the date of the individual’s death.
No amount of money can replace a loved one. Still, pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit against the parties responsible for their death may help in the smallest way.