Suffering through the loss of a loved one could be a distressing time. Losing someone unexpectedly could be a shock. On top of mourning for your loved one, there could still be things to take care of, bills to pay, expenses to oversee.
You do not need to handle your legal case alone. Figuring out the next steps all on your own without sufficient guidance could leave you at a disadvantage. Wrongful death cases could get complicated. A George County wrongful death lawyer could help you seek justice for your loved one. An experienced personal injury attorney could handle your case while you grieve.
A wrongful death claim allows surviving family members to recover damages for the death of their loved one that was caused by the defendant. It is a subset of personal injury law that compensates survivors for the personal injuries that the deceased suffered.
Wrongful death in George County is defined under Mississippi Code §11-7-13 as a death that is caused by any real, wrongful, or negligent acts or omissions. Wrongful deaths are also defined as a fatality that is caused by unsafe machinery, appliances, or the breach of warranty of fitness on an item intended for human consumption. The latter involves product liability-type cases, where unsafe or toxic food and drugs are consumed by the deceased and cause wrongful death.
Determining who could file a wrongful death claim in George County could be tricky depending on the situation. Laws dictate the order in which certain parties are allowed to bring a claim. The first in line to bring a wrongful death claim is the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. This person could be appointed by the court or by the deceased person by will.
The second in line is the surviving spouse. If there is no surviving spouse, the deceased’s parents may file the case. If no spouse or remaining parents, then the surviving children of the deceased could file. Lastly, if there are no other survivors of the deceased, the deceased’s siblings may file the wrongful death claim.
Damages for wrongful death cases in George County are not much different than other personal injury lawsuits. Plaintiffs may seek economic and noneconomic damages related to the wrongful death. However, the damages are separated by those that are paid to the deceased person’s estate, and those that are paid to the surviving beneficiaries.
Medical bills, funeral expenses, burial expenses, and property damages are paid to the estate. Beneficiaries are entitled to receive damages such as pain and suffering, lost wages and benefits that they would have likely received if they survived, and the loss of companionship from the deceased.
Wrongful death cases could be hard to go through. You are constantly being reminded of what happened throughout the process, and it could get stressful fighting for the rights of your loved one.
A George County wrongful death lawyer could help give you balance and insight into your recovery efforts. They could help handle your case and keep you informed every step of the way. To learn more about your potential recovery, schedule a consultation today.