The unfortunate experience of losing a loved one due to another person's negligence can be among the most painful experiences that you can have. In many instances, accidental deaths may not involve criminal proceedings, and this can deny you the opportunity to have a sense of justice and closure. Fortunately, it may be possible to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the party responsible. Sadly, many people may not be very informed about this legal option, which can make it difficult to make sound choices. Knowing the truth concerning some common wrongful death lawsuit myths will allow you to make better choices when it comes to these lawsuits.
Myth: The Deceased Must Have Been Employed
There are many individuals that assume a wrongful death lawsuit can only be filed to recover the lost income from the deceased's employment. While this is one of the damages that you may be able to recover, you will also be able to claim other damages as well. These may include the pain and suffering of the deceased, lost companionship, and punitive damages. The exact compensation will vary according to the state laws as well as the factors surrounding the case. Therefore, you will want to make sure that you meet with an experienced wrongful death attorney so that you can understand the strength of your case as well as the compensation that you may be able to recover.
Myth: A Wrongful Death Attorney Will Be Prohibitively Expensive
Sadly, there are some individuals that may not consider filing a wrongful death lawsuit due to concerns about the costs involved with these disputes. While it is true that filing a lawsuit can involve numerous expenses, you may not be responsible for paying these costs unless your attorney is successful at recovering damages. At the end of the proceedings, the attorney will subtract the expenses from the award before it is distributed to you.
Losing one of your loved ones due to a wrongful death can be among the most traumatic and painful losses that you suffer. To make sure that you are prepared to make sound legal choices about seeking justice in these instances, you will need to be aware of some of the more common myths about these lawsuits. Knowing that the deceased did not have to be employed for you to seek damages and that you may only have to pay for a wrongful death attorney if they are able to recover compensation for your losses will allow you to understand your legal options in these instances.
For more information, contact local professionals like Shaevitz Shaevitz & Kotzamanis.
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