Losing a loved one because another person acted carelessly can leave a family dealing with more than just intense grief. In many situations, this sudden loss can upend an entire family’s finances, making it difficult not only to grieve but also to survive. This is where support from a Waseca wrongful death lawyer can be essential.
A wrongful death claim allows you to seek financial compensation after losing a loved one due to negligence. To learn more about your options, you can talk to a compassionate personal injury attorney from Maschka Personal Injury.
A wrongful death claim is a civil claim or lawsuit filed when someone dies because another party acted negligently. In general, these cases focus on the damages the surviving family members suffer after the death. However, you can also think of a wrongful death claim as a personal injury case the deceased could have filed if they had survived.
Wrongful death lawsuits remain separate from criminal cases. Even if no criminal charges are filed, surviving family members in Waseca may still pursue compensation in civil court with help from a compassionate wrongful death lawyer.
The state uses a unique process for wrongful death claims. Instead of individual family members filing the lawsuit directly, the court appoints a trustee to pursue the claim on behalf of surviving relatives. The trustee represents the interests of the next of kin, which may include:
The trustee is a family member approved by the court. It is not uncommon for the person serving in this role to also be in line to recover compensation once the claim is settled. In a Waseca wrongful death case, our lawyers can advise you on your right to petition the court for a trustee and potentially serve in that role yourself.
Wrongful death claims can arise from many types of fatal accidents and incidents. Common examples include:
Whether or not a person’s death was wrongful is a complicated legal question you might not be able to answer on your own. Our attorneys can review any of these situations in a Waseca wrongful death case and investigate for signs that negligence played a role.
Our attorneys can help you seek the following types of damages in a Waseca wrongful death lawsuit.
If the deceased person received medical treatment before death, the family may recover compensation for the cost of that care.
Funeral expenses create an immediate financial burden for many families. You have the chance to recover damages based on these expenses as part of your wrongful death action.
Many families rely on the income and financial contributions of the deceased person. A wrongful death action could replace everything from lost wages to retirement contributions, as well as any future earning capacity the deceased likely would have provided.
Wrongful death cases often involve emotional and personal damages that cannot be measured with bills or receipts. Surviving family members may recover compensation for the loss of companionship, care, guidance, comfort, and emotional support.
In some cases, compensation may include damages connected to the pain, suffering, or emotional distress the deceased person experienced before passing away. These damages often depend on the facts surrounding the injury and the amount of time between the incident and their passing.
Instead of attempting to deal with the death of a close family member on your own, you might benefit from splitting up these efforts. Let our team handle the legal claim while you and your family mourn your loss. Our attorneys are based in Mankato, but we are here to support grieving families across the surrounding area. Call for a consultation with a Waseca wrongful death lawyer today.
