If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or misconduct, you may have suffered various types of damages. Wrongful death damages can be both economic and non-economic. Economic damages are those that have a specific monetary value, such as medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, and lost earnings. Non-economic damages are those that don’t have a specific monetary value, such as pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and loss of support.
While no amount of money can ever replace your loved one, a wrongful death claim can help you and your family cope with the financial challenges that often accompany the death of a breadwinner. It can also hold the responsible party accountable for their actions. A wrongful death claim can be brought against an individual, business, or government entity and is filed by the survivors, who are typically the victim’s spouse, children, or parents.
In order to have a valid claim, the survivors must be able to show that the defendant’s negligent or intentional actions were the cause of the victim’s death. This can be difficult to do, and hiring an experienced wrongful death attorney in Boston is important.
What is a wrongful death attorney?
A wrongful death attorney is a lawyer who represents the survivors of someone who has died due to the negligence of another party. A wrongful death attorney in Boston will investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of your loved one, gather evidence, and interview witnesses. They will also work with experts to build a strong case on your behalf.
Types of wrongful death cases
There are many types of wrongful death cases, each with its own unique set of circumstances. The most common types of wrongful death cases include:
- Negligence: This type of wrongful death case occurs when someone dies as a result of the negligence of another person. For example, if a driver fails to yield the right of way and causes a fatal accident, the driver may be held liable for the victim’s death.
- Product Liability: This type of case occurs when a person is killed as a result of a defective product. For example, if a person is killed by a defective car airbag, the manufacturer of the airbag may be held liable for the death.
- Workplace Accidents: This type of case occurs when a person is killed in a workplace accident. For example, if a construction worker is killed by a falling piece of debris, the company he or she was working for may be held liable.
- Wrongful Imprisonment: This type of wrongful death case occurs when a person is wrongfully imprisoned and dies as a result. For example, if a person is wrongly convicted of a crime and dies in prison, the state may be held liable.
- Medical Malpractice: This occurs when a doctor or other medical professional fails to provide adequate medical care, resulting in the patient’s death. In addition, when a person dies due to terrorism, murder, or drunk driving, it is considered a wrongful death case.
The bottom line
Now that you know what the different types of wrongful death cases are, what are you waiting for? Hire a wrongful death lawyer in Massachusetts to get the compensation you deserve. Also, remember that the deadline for filing a lawsuit in most states is two years from the date of death.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if the death was caused by a defective product, the deadline may be extended to five years from the date of purchase. So, it is recommended to consult your attorney as soon as possible and get answers to all your questions.