If a family member is killed as the result of someone else’s negligent actions, it may be possible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. A New York attorney may be able to help you determine who actually has standing to represent that person in court. Furthermore, a legal adviser may explain the types of damages that you might be able to recover in such a case.
Compensation for actual damages
Actual damages are any financial losses that a victim incurred as a result of a defendant’s actions. For instance, if your spouse died while in emergency surgery after a car accident, the person who caused the crash would likely be asked to pay for services rendered by a medical professional.
Reimbursement for final expenses and other costs
In a wrongful death case, you could seek compensation to pay for your loved one’s funeral. A financial award might include the cost of burial or cremation.
Depending on your circumstances of your case, it may be possible to receive a lump-sum payment to compensate your family for lost wages and future earnings. An attorney may offer guidance about how to seek this type of compensation.
The loss of a loved one can be a traumatic event that you may never truly recover from. However, an attorney may be able to help you hold the people who caused this event to happen responsible for their actions. In some cases, a wrongful death case can be settled without the need for a formal trial.