Bridgeport Wrongful Death Attorney
Losing a family member to someone else’s carelessness leaves you grieving and searching for answers. Connecticut law gives families a way to hold the responsible party accountable through a wrongful death claim, but these lawsuits are governed by strict rules about who can file and when.
At Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante, our Bridgeport personal injury attorneys guide grieving families through every step with patience and respect. We investigate the circumstances and pursue compensation that reflects the full value of your loved one’s life. Call us at (203) 333-3333 today to start fighting for justice.
Three Reasons Bridgeport Families Turn to Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante
- Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante has served Connecticut families for more than 70 years. Our attorneys bring decades of courtroom experience to every wrongful death claim.
- Your first consultation comes with no pressure and no obligation. We listen to your family’s story and help you decide how to move forward at your own pace.
- We have the resources to take on hospitals, corporations, and other well-funded defendants. When a case calls for it, we work with qualified consultants to strengthen your claim.
How a Bridgeport Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help Your Family Seek Justice
Seeking justice after a preventable death begins with establishing what happened. Grieving families often have strong suspicions about the cause of a loved one’s death, and turning those suspicions into a successful claim requires evidence that meets Connecticut’s legal standards.
A wrongful death attorney can gather medical records, police and autopsy reports, and witness statements to reconstruct the events leading to your loved one’s death. When a case involves complex medical or technical questions, an attorney can work with qualified professionals, such as accident reconstruction experts or physicians, to explain how the defendant’s conduct caused the fatal harm.
Handing these tasks to a legal team also lightens the load on your family. Your attorney can manage communication with the opposing side, handle court filings, and keep the case on track, giving you space to grieve and care for one another while the claim moves forward.
Understanding Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Connecticut
Under Connecticut General Statutes § 52-555, when a person dies from injuries caused by another party’s legal fault, the executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate may file a claim for damages. The statute also permits recovery of reasonable costs for medical, hospital, and nursing care, as well as funeral expenses.
A wrongful death claim can arise from negligence, recklessness, or intentional conduct. It is a civil action separate from any criminal case that may arise from the same incident. Because civil claims require proof by a preponderance of the evidence, a lower standard than proof beyond a reasonable doubt, your family may be able to recover compensation even if no criminal charges are filed or the defendant is acquitted.
Who Is Responsible for Filing a Bridgeport Wrongful Death Claim?
In Connecticut, the executor or administrator of the deceased person’s estate must file a wrongful death lawsuit. If your loved one left a will naming an executor, that person typically files the lawsuit. If there is no will, or the named executor cannot serve, the probate court can appoint an administrator, often a spouse, adult child, or other close relative.
Any compensation recovered is distributed according to the terms of the will or, if there is none, under Connecticut’s intestacy laws. A surviving spouse’s loss of consortium claim is brought together with the wrongful death action. An attorney can help your family through the probate process so the claim can move forward without unnecessary delay.
Types of Negligence That Most Often Lead to a Preventable Death
Wrongful death claims arise in many settings, from freeways to hospitals, long-term care facilities, and job sites throughout Bridgeport. In each case, the key questions are whether someone failed to act with reasonable care and whether that failure caused a death. Common types of negligence underlying these claims include:
- Distracted driving
- Nursing home neglect
- Defective products
- Inadequate security
- Drunk driving
- Construction site accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Unsafe property conditions
- Trucking accidents
- Swimming pool hazards
- Dangerous drugs
Damages Available to Surviving Family Members in Bridgeport, CT
Connecticut allows the estate to recover damages for the financial costs of your loved one’s death as well as the value of the life that was lost. The forms of compensation available will depend on your loved one’s age, health, earnings, and the circumstances of their passing. Recoverable damages may include:
- Medical and Funeral Costs: The estate may recover reasonable expenses for medical, hospital, and nursing care your loved one received before passing. Funeral and burial costs are also recoverable.
- Lost Earning Capacity: This reflects the income your loved one likely would have earned over their lifetime, minus personal living expenses. Age, occupation, education, and work history all factor into this calculation.
- Conscious Pain and Suffering: If your loved one was aware of their injuries before passing, the estate can seek compensation for that pain. Even a short period of conscious suffering may support this form of damages.
- Loss of Life’s Enjoyment: Connecticut recognizes the destruction of a person’s ability to carry on and enjoy life’s activities as a compensable loss. This covers the time with family, hobbies, and experiences your loved one will never have.
Connecticut’s Time Limits for Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
In Connecticut, a wrongful death lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of death. The statute also sets a five-year outer limit from the act or omission that caused the death, which can be important when a person dies long after the original injury. The law removes these time limits in certain homicide cases.
Other deadlines may apply depending on who is responsible. Claims involving a government entity, for example, can carry notice requirements with much shorter timeframes. Contacting a Bridgeport wrongful death attorney soon after your loss can help protect your family’s right to file.
Speak with a Bridgeport Wrongful Death Attorney About Your Loved One’s Case
Holding the responsible party accountable can bring your family answers, recognition of what you have lost, and financial stability for the years ahead. Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante is ready to hear your loved one’s story and guide you through what comes next. Contact our attorneys to discuss your family’s case in a free, no-obligation consultation.