It is a traumatic and devastating experience to lose a loved one, especially if it was the result of an unexpected accident. When a person dies due to the negligence of another party, it is called wrongful death. In these situations, loved ones often want to seek justice for the accident. This can be received in the form of compensation for the life that was taken. Loved ones can obtain this compensation through pursuing a lawsuit against the negligent party to hold that party responsible for the accident. It is important to enlist an experienced attorney during this time to fight for rightful compensation.
What is Wrongful Death?
There are different ways a wrongful death may occur. This can be due to the negligence, carelessness, or behavioral misconduct of another party. These situations can include automobile accidents, product malfunctions, medical malpractice, unsafe premises, and more. People who are put in these situations are left to deal with the aftermath and loss of a loved one. This can cause them to experience significant financial burdens in addition to the loss of companionship.
Types of Cases
Lawsuits for wrongful deaths are generally pursued in the event of the following situations:
- Defective products: When a product causes death because of a malfunction, an unsafe design, or it did not have a warning label.
- Automobile accidents: When a death occurs because of negligent driving. This can be a result of distracted or dangerous driving.
- Medical negligence: When a patient dies because a health care professional did not provide the lawful standard of care when treating them.
Compensation
Wrongful deaths can cause loved ones to be victim to financial burdens. Often times, they struggle with the loss of income. In addition to this, there are certain expenses they may incur. When facing these situations, it can become overwhelming for a family to handle. This is why they are able to seek financial compensation in order to cover these additional costs. In Maryland, only spouses, parents, or children to the deceased can bring a wrongful death claim. In doing so, they may receive compensation for the following:
- Expenses for medical bills, funeral costs, and other financial burdens
- Loss of income
- Loss of relationship and companionship
- Loss of parental guidance and support for children
It is important to know that there is a statute of limitations on filing a wrongful death claim. This is a deadline that loved ones must meet in order to bring a claim against a negligent party. In the state of Maryland, the statute of limitations to file a wrongful death claim is three years from the date of the death.
Contact our Firm
The Law Offices of Debra A. Saltz has decades of experience representing clients in Howard County, Maryland who have been seriously injured as a result of someone else’s negligence. Let our firm explore all possible methods of recovering the compensation you are entitled to. Contact the Law Offices of Debra A. Saltz today to discuss your case.
