If your loved one died unexpectedly due to another party’s negligence, you might be facing financial and emotional devastation. No legal action or jury verdict will bring your loved one back. But a financial settlement will accomplish two important goals. It will provide financial security for you and your family, to help protect your future. And it will send a clear message to the at-fault party that will their negligence will not go unpunished.
Unfortunately, pursuing fair financial compensation can present a challenge. Having a wrongful death lawyer in Hilliard, OH on your side means you will have an advocate fighting for you and your legal rights. Your lawyer can handle the process of negotiating with the insurance company, leaving you free to spend time with your loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.
Bressman Law is here for you. Call us today for help in or around Hilliard: 877-538-1116.
Can I Seek Compensation for a Loved One’s Wrongful Death?
If the negligence of another caused your loved one’s accidental death, you can — and should — pursue legal action. Seeking a fair financial settlement will help to ensure that you and your family can keep a roof over your heads and pay the bills that your deceased loved one may have handled prior to death.
While you may be entitled to this compensation, the at-fault party’s insurance company will not respect your financial woes or grief as it attempts to minimize the amount it must pay you. Trust your case to a wrongful death lawyer who will protect you from the emotional toll of the negotiation process and fight for the best possible outcome in your case.
What Constitutes Wrongful Death in Hilliard?
A wrongful death is one that occurs due to another party’s negligent or intentional actions. Some common accidents that result in wrongful death include:
- Vehicle Accidents: You may have the legal right to pursue a settlement if another party caused the accident that killed your loved one. This includes car, truck, bicycle, pedestrian, motorcycle, bus, and public transportation accidents.
- Workplace/Construction Site Accident: You can recover workers’ compensation benefits if your loved one died in a workplace accident. If another onsite party, such as another construction company, acted negligently and caused your loved one’s death, you can file a claim against that party.
- Defective Products: Defective productsmay include anything from faulty home appliances and auto parts to dangerous toys and tools. If your loved one died after using a defective or dangerous product, you may be able to hold the manufacturer, designer, or seller liable under strict product liability laws.
- Dog Bites: If a dog bit and killed your loved one, you can hold the dog’s owner liable.
You may have legal recourse to pursue a wrongful death suit for any accident resulting from the negligence or another person, company, or organization.
If your loved one suffered fatal injuries in or around Hilliard, the team at Bressman Law can answer all your questions and help you determine whether you have a case and, if so, what the potential value of your settlement may be.
How Much Is a Wrongful Death Case Worth?
Because every case is different, we cannot give you an exact value. Determining the value of your claim will require us to evaluate the elements and causes of the fatal accident.
Some factors we will consider when calculating the value of your claim include:
- All medical bills and care costs accrued prior to death
- All funeral and burial expenses
- Anticipated value of the deceased’s future earnings
- Anticipated value of lost benefits (e.g., medical insurance, 401(k), pension, etc.)
- Loss of companionship, consort, care, and protection
- Pain and suffering
- General damages
- Punitive damages
To support your claim’s value, we will provide medical and funeral bills to substantiate costs to date. To project future values, we may provide wage statements and employer benefit package information. We may also look to subject matter experts to provide testimony on your loved one’s earning potential.
How Will Bressman Law Prove Negligence?
To help you obtain a fair settlement for your loved one’s death, David and his team may consult with industry experts related to the accident, review police and first responder reports, interview witnesses, and analyze photos of the accident scene.
Using this information, your attorney will prove the four legal elements of negligence:
Duty of Care: The at-fault party owed a duty of care to your loved one. This might include driving safely, manufacturing safe products, or keeping dangerous dogs contained.
Breach of Duty: The at-fault party failed to exercise its duty of care. A driver texting and speeding behind the wheel is an example of a failure to exercise duty of care.
Causation: The conditions that resulted from the at-fault party’s breach of duty led directly to the accident that took your loved one’s life. For example, the texting driver ran a red light and hit your loved one’s car.
Damages: The injury resulted in damages. David will support your claim for damages using documentation and testimony from subject matter experts.
Once David and his team have clearly established these elements, the insurance company’s lawyers should be ready to engage in serious negotiations. If the insurer is unwilling to offer a reasonable settlement, we may recommend filing legal action and taking your case to court.
How Can I Contact a Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me?
Although no amount of money will bring your loved one back, you and your family deserve compensation for your loss and protection for your future.
You also deserve professional legal representation from a caring and compassionate law firm. Bressman Law will work tirelessly for you, protecting your legal rights and standing by you every step of the way.