How much you can sue for a wrongful death depends on how the death occurred. A wrongful death claim and lawsuit that involves a car accident may result in different damages than a case that involves medical malpractice.
The amount of compensation you may sue for can be calculated by the personal injury lawyer you hire to represent you. However, if you win, the amount of compensation you may receive may differ, depending on how the negotiation or court stage goes.
A personal injury lawyer can provide you with legal representation to protect your legal interests throughout the litigation process. Your lawyer can also handle several aspects of your case while you take time to grieve or deal with other priorities. Wrongful death lawyers understand that losing someone due to another party’s negligence can take time to heal from, so they fight hard to bring some sense of justice to their mourning clients.
INSURANCE COMPANIES MAY TRY TO SETTLE A WRONGFUL DEATH CASE QUICKLY
Your pursuit of compensation may begin with communications with the insurance company representing the party who caused your loved one’s death. Before the negotiation stage even begins, the insurance company may try to reach out for a statement by you about how the death occurred. They might also try to settle the case with you alone and offer their standard policy coverage for wrongful death.
However, this initial settlement offer may not cover the extent of the damages you incurred from your loved one’s passing. The insurance company wants to protect their best interests. While their offer may be in accordance with their policy, it may not be equal to what you might be entitled to collect.
The unexpected death of a loved one can leave surviving family members with extensive bills and a loss of income they depended on for daily essentials. If the insurance company wants to negotiate with you alone, you can decline and secure legal representation. A personal injury lawyer can negotiate a settlement on your behalf. However, if both parties cannot reach an agreement, you may choose to take your case to court.
WRONGFUL DEATH DAMAGES
Wrongful death lawsuits typically involve two types of damages: economic and noneconomic.
Economic damages have a monetary amount and may include medical costs, funeral expenses, burial or cremation expenses, and loss of future income of the decedent.
Noneconomic damages may be harder to assign a monetary value to and may include losses like loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium. Presenting a case for noneconomic damages can be challenging since these losses are considered subjective and general. However, a personal injury lawyer can help you gather evidence to support your claims.
A personal injury lawyer can help you calculate how much your damages are worth and sue for compensation based on this amount. In cases involving multiple liable parties, your lawyer may prepare your case so that each party faces accountability for their actions.
YOU HAVE LIMITED TIME TO PURSUE COMPENSATION
The Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 generally allows two years for filing a wrongful death lawsuit. If you miss the statutory deadline, the court may not allow you to pursue compensation later.
Your time of immense grief might leave you feeling confused and overwhelmed by your situation. Planning a funeral or memorial service, along with receiving friends and family, may require your full attention. Securing legal representation helps ensure that no detail of your case goes unchecked and that your case can get filed on time.
LONCAR ASSOCIATES CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR WRONGFUL DEATH CASE
At Loncar Associates, we provide support for Texas families who experience a wrongful death. You are never alone. We provide consistent and personable communication all throughout your case.
At Loncar Associates, we work on a contingency fee basis for many of our cases, so you do not owe any attorney’s fees unless we win your case. We prepare our cases for court immediately. Insurance companies and opposing lawyers are aware of our willingness to take your case to court if necessary. Let us help you by representing you against insurance companies.
Our firm stance when it comes to pursuing justice for families is how we help people throughout Texas. While a wrongful death case takes time, having the patience to see it through to the very end is important.
The amount of compensation you can sue for a wrongful death depends on the details of how the death occurred and what consequences it had on you and your family. If you lost a loved one due to the negligence of a person, company, or other entity, Loncar Associates may assist you with your case. Call in the Strong Arm at (877) 239-4878, and get a free case evaluation today.
