A loved one’s death often causes an entire family to mourn. The loss is usually easier to accept if it comes from natural causes such as disease, a medical condition or age-related illness. If the loved one died because of someone else’s actions or inactions, however, the family may want some measure of justice in order to better accept the person’s death. If negligence was a contributing factor to a person’s demise, then surviving family members may be entitled to financial compensation based on their incurred losses.
If you suspect your loved one was killed due to someone else’s misconduct or recklessness — a factor in a great many fatal accidents — then you may not only be seeking answers to your questions but also want to know how to secure compensation if such negligence is proven. A wrongful death claim can be filed if someone’s death was caused by another person’s negligence. Your relation to the deceased can determine whether you will be entitled to compensation from such a lawsuit.
The legally determined next of kin is the only person entitled to seek compensation in such a lawsuit. For example, if you are the spouse of the deceased person, then you can file the lawsuit and seek damages from any responsible parties. However, if you are a parent of the deceased person, but the person left behind a spouse or child, then the spouse and child are the ones entitled to compensation.
Wrongful death claims are complicated. Fortunately, consultation with a knowledgeable professional who is well-versed in such a claim can help you determine whether compensation is possible in your case. All questions about such lawsuits can be answered by such a legal professional, who can also handle your claim to ensure you will obtain fair and just compensation.
Source: Ohiobar.org, “What is a wrongful death claim?,” accessed on Oct. 13, 2014
