What to Do with Your Wrongful Death Case

The consequences of the sudden loss of a loved one or family member in an accident can be overwhelming, no matter who you are. What makes the process even worse is when the deceased was the head of the household and the accident was the result of another’s negligence. In this situation, it is more important than ever to make sure you have a trained wrongful death lawyer on your side to help you through the painful legal hurdles of getting the compensation your family deserves.

The Tatum Law Firm is a personal injury firm servicing North and South Carolina and we have unfortunately seen many wrongful death cases over the years. We therefore know firsthand just how tough the process can be for grieving families and we want to remove this stress from your life as best we can.

The following is a short guide to help teach you more about pursuing a possible wrongful death case.

General Information About Wrongful Deaths

You should know the applicable rules and regulations before deciding whether or not to pursue a wrongful death case in your area. For instance, laws will vary state to state and region to region and, if you have any questions regarding your status, you should talk to trained legal counsel.

In either case, wrongful death is usually defined as the death of an individual or individuals due to the actions or inactions of others. A fairly broad term to be fair, wrongful deaths must be brought to the attention of the courts as soon as possible to avoid running afoul of a possible statute of limitations.

What Damages are Available?

There are many available damages to you in a standard wrongful death case. Mostly, it is a matter of the circumstances behind the death and the costs that were incurred as a result. These costs can include hospital fees for injuries, lost wages and even funeral and burial costs.

Once calculated, these damages are in turn awarded to the deceased’s surviving spouse and children before moving on to the parents of the deceased. If the deceased has no living parents, damages will fall to the next of kin, typically siblings, nephews, nieces or other extended family members.

How Long to Wait Before Filing

There is no right answer to this but, generally speaking, if you think you have a wrongful death case on your hands, you should file as soon as possible. The court system takes time and waiting any longer than you have to could put you in a deep financial hole early. At the very least, you should consider a consultation with a legal professional.

Contacting a Wrongful Death Lawyer

If you are considering contacting a wrongful death lawyer, try the attorneys at the Tatum Law firm. Though by no means happy of the fact, we have had the somber duty of representing many families in mourning and we know how to approach your case with care and tact.

For more information on how our legal team could help you, contact a representative to get started.