Wrongful death is a civil action that is brought by the family of the deceased. This claim has specific requirements based on statute. The close relatives of the deceased must be able to prove that the defendant was negligent in causing the death. If a relative dies and their claim is successful, the family may receive damages from the defendant. However, it is not uncommon for the wrongful death case to be settled out of court. Find Out – Demerath Law Office
How to File a Wrongful Death Claim
Although wrongful death lawsuits are very complex, there are certain general principles you should know about these claims. A wrongful death lawsuit can seek economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages include funeral costs, lost support and income, and pain and suffering. In some cases, punitive damages are awarded for egregious conduct or wrongful death. In most states, punitive damages are not allowed. However, in some cases, the family of the deceased may receive punitive damages.
Another common wrongful death lawsuit involves a college or university. The college or university may have been negligent in providing security to a student. Fraternities, for example, are notoriously dangerous and can result in serious harm. The university may have mismatched a victim with a dangerous roommate. The college’s failure to supervise fraternities is also a cause of wrongful death. The defendant’s negligence or intentional action must have caused the death of the victim.