New Haven Wrongful Death Attorneys
When a loved one dies suddenly, the last thing on your mind is filing a claim and engaging in a battle with the insurance companies of those who caused your loved one’s death. You need time to grieve with your family and honor the memory of the person you lost. But, to hold the wrongdoer accountable for your loved one’s death and receive the compensation you deserve, our New Haven personal injury attorneys can help you file a wrongful death claim against them.
You don’t have to do this alone. A skilled Connecticut wrongful death attorney from Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante can provide you with the support and representation you need to hold the responsible party accountable while obtaining a fair and just settlement.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in New Haven
Losing someone you love is probably one of the hardest things you will ever have to go through. What makes it even worse is when the loss happens because of another person’s negligence or wrongful conduct.
Common causes of wrongful death in Connecticut include:
- Nursing home neglect;
- Medical malpractice;
- Automobile accidents;
- Work-related accidents;
- Defective products; and
- Acts of violence
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in New Haven?
A wrongful death claim is different from other personal injury claims because the decedent is no longer able to bring the claim to him or herself. So, someone else must bring the case on the decedent’s behalf.
In Connecticut, the person appointed as the personal representative of the decedent’s estate must file a wrongful death claim on the decedent’s behalf. This person may either be named as the personal representative in the decedent’s will, or appointed as the administrator of the decedent’s estate by a judge.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Wrongful Death in New Haven?
You may be wondering, who is responsible for a wrongful death? Depending on the situation and the factors involved, you can classify a case into one of the following types:
- Negligent Parties: Negligence in the context of a wrongful death can come from an individual or a party failing to exercise reasonable care, including drivers, medical professionals negligence, and employers.
- Intentional Wrongdoers: Individuals who purposefully cause harm can lead to a wrongful death, this includes cases of assault.
- Product Manufacturers: Manufacturers who have made defective products that contribute to death can be held responsible under product liability.
- Property Owners: Living in unsafe conditions on a property that leads to fatality or death can be another party held liable.
Understanding the potential parties that may be responsible, will help us determine who can be held liable when filing a New Haven wrongful death claim.
What Compensation Can I Recover With a Connecticut Wrongful Death Claim?
The sudden death of a loved one is not only tragic, but can also be very costly. If you have lost a loved one because of someone else’s negligence or wrongful conduct, you may be entitled to compensation for the expenses and losses incurred as a result of your loved one’s death.
By filing a New Haven wrongful death claim against the wrongdoer(s), you may be able to recover the following damages:
- Loss of income;
- Loss of society, love, services, support, and companionship;
- Pain and suffering, and mental anguish;
- Reasonable funeral and burial expenses; and
- The decedent’s final medical bills and expenses
In addition, in some wrongful death cases involving car accidents, the court may award you double or triple damages if it finds that the defendant acted with deliberate or reckless disregard for traffic laws, and that this was a significant factor in your loved one’s death.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in New Haven?
You have a limited amount of time to file a wrongful death claim in Connecticut. State law says that, unless your loved one’s death was the result of murder or manslaughter, you only have two years from the date of your loved one’s death (no more than five years from the date of the incident that eventually led to their death) to file a claim. Fail to file a wrongful death claim within that time period, and you may lose your right to recover any damages under any potential wrongful death claim.
How Do You Prove Fault in a Wrongful Death Claim?
One of the important starting points when it comes to proving fault in a wrongful death claim is to consider having an autopsy performed. This is a thorough examination by a doctor that will determine what caused your loved one’s death.
Once the cause of death is known, it will be easier to reconstruct the facts and determine whether your loved one’s death was caused by someone else’s wrongdoing. Was there carelessness involved, or a failure to diagnose?
It is important to understand, however, that an autopsy can also work against your claim in some instances. That’s why it is important to talk with an experienced New Haven wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible.
Our New Haven wrongful death attorneys will advise you on whether an autopsy is in your best interest. If so, the attorney can contact a forensic coroner on your behalf and have the autopsy performed correctly.
How Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante, P.C Can Help
Filing a New Haven wrongful death claim can be a complex and emotional experience. Having an experienced New Haven wrongful death attorney on your side can help.
Here’s why you should choose an attorney from Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante:
- We understand what a difficult and trying time you and your family are going through, and will treat the death of your loved one with great concern and respect.
- We believe that providing our clients with compassionate communication and fast responses to their questions is essential, and we will answer all the questions you have, and many that you may not have thought of yet.
- While we can’t bring your loved one back, we can help you obtain a successful and just settlement that will allow you to grieve the loss of your loved one without financial worries. This will enable you to move on in life with a positive approach towards a successful future.
- We are devoted to bringing all of our legal resources to bear on your case, and will be prepared to take the case all the way to trial if that is what’s necessary to get the best possible result.
Contact an Experienced New Haven Personal Injury Attorney Immediately
Filing a wrongful death claim will not bring your loved one back to you, but it will enable you to hold the at-fault party financially accountable for your loved one’s death. However, you only have a limited amount of time to recover the compensation you and your family need and deserve.
If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, carelessness, or wrongdoing, and have any questions regarding how a wrongful death claim can be filed on behalf of your loved one, contact the wrongful death attorneys at Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante immediately. Call us at 203-333-3333, toll-free at 888-692-7403, or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.