If you’ve lost a loved one, and you believe it was because of someone’s negligent or reckless actions, you can seek compensation and justice by having a wrongful death claim filed. There are a few things you should know before you get started on your case, though.
Alabama handles wrongful death claims in a different manner than most states. See below.
Who Can File
A personal representative of the deceased’s estate can file the wrongful death claim. That’s not to say that the family members can’t recover their losses, but all damages awarded will be punitive in nature, and paid to the estate of the deceased.
What’s the Process?
A claim for wrongful death must be filed within two years of the date of death. The lawyer of the family and estate can assist with the paperwork, and can negotiate the settlement on behalf of the deceased’s estate.
In some rare cases, the wrongful death case may go to court. The court process for a wrongful death case consists of proving that the defendant’s actions caused the death. The court then decides what damages the defendant must pay to the estate of the deceased.
What Types of Damages Can You Recover?
Again, the damages in Alabama wrongful death cases are punitive and paid to the estate. However, family members will gain access to the compensation after the wrongful death claim resolution.
Compensation from a wrongful death claim can relieve you of the following losses:
Pain and suffering
Family’s loss
Loss of income
Funeral and burial costs
Medical expenses
Reach Out to an Alabama Wrongful Death Claim Lawyer
If you’ve lost a family member, and you’re considering having a wrongful death claim filed, you don’t have to do it alone. Visit Henry Dailey Law Firm’s website for more information, or to get in touch and discuss your case during a free case review.