You often hear about the families of famous figures suing over the loss of their loved ones, like in 2014 when a Cincinnati hospital paid Neil Armstrong’s family $6 million in a wrongful-death settlement after the first man on the moon died due to complications following a cardiovascular procedure.

However, you don’t need to be famous to receive compensation for a wrongful death. Everyone’s life has extraordinary value, whether they are famous or not.

What is a wrongful death lawsuit?

A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil lawsuit. Many times, the circumstances are such that a person (and almost always a corporation) will not be criminally prosecuted.

When that happens, the survivors must file a wrongful death lawsuit to get their questions answered. Since it is a civil lawsuit, the only remedy the jury considers is money damages. Often, the civil lawsuit is the only way that family members who have lost the support of their loved one can hold the negligent party responsible for their wrongdoing.

The loss of a loved one can result in tremendous financial losses. Wrongful death compensation may include lost income, medical bills, and funeral and burial expenses of the deceased as well as compensation for loss of companionship, comfort, and pain and suffering. During your time of grief and heartache, you need someone with compassion and the legal experience needed so that you and your family are fairly compensated for the loss suffered, and there is recognition of the loss suffered and accountability for those responsible.

To properly navigate the world of wrongful death, you need a personal injury lawyer, like the ones here at Fisher Stark P.A. You need a legal team that you can trust to bring the perpetrators to justice and ease the pain of loss your family has suffered. An unexpected loss can be traumatic and painful, but you don’t have to suffer alone.

 

Personal Injury vs. Wrongful Death

Most people are familiar with personal injury claims but not as many know about wrongful death. Although both are similar and most law firms that practice personal injury will also practice wrongful death, there are some important differences.

In a personal injury claim, someone who suffered harm due to someone else’s negligence can sue or negotiate a settlement on their own behalf to gain compensation from the people who harmed them. Personal injury victims must show that the party they are suing intentionally or negligently caused them harm. If they do, they can recover compensation for such damages as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and emotional distress.

In a wrongful death claim, the family of the deceased or a representative pursues a case against those responsible for causing the death of their family member. They can file a lawsuit or negotiate a settlement and can recover compensation for a variety of damages allowed by law, such as medical bills and pain and suffering the deceased experienced prior to death. They can also receive compensation for funeral bills and burial costs, as well as for loss of the deceased person’s future income and companionship.

Why are Wrongful Death Lawsuits Important?

Wrongful death lawsuits are important for the families and beneficiaries of the deceased. People often rely on these cases to pay for their loved one’s end of life expenses as well as to make up for the loss of companionship and earnings contribution from the deceased. They also bring recognition to the wrong done and the value of human life, while allowing a jury to hold those at-fault accountable and right a wrong.

For example, if a child loses a parent, a lawsuit may help provide the child with the monetary support they would have received from their parent. Human losses are often the toughest, and financial losses can contribute to the ongoing grief, but you do not have to go through these hard times alone. You may need an experience lawyer to help you.

 

Asheville Wrongful Death Lawyers

The wrongful death attorneys at Fisher Stark in Asheville, North Carolina are respected in their field, with over 40 years of trial experience. If you have experienced the death of a loved one and need help, please call 828-505-4300 today for a free consultation to discuss your rights, options, and ability to seek fair and just compensation.