At Epperly & Follis, P.C, our attorneys are familiar with the physical, emotional and financial damage that wrongful death can cause. We concentrate in catastrophic personal injury cases against major defendants such as nursing homes, hospitals, insurance companies, product manufacturers, corporations and municipalities. Our firm does not approach its cases as mere jobs, but as causes in which larger issues are at stake - causes in which our firm's lawyers invest personal dedication to see that justice is done.

Wrongful Death and Damages

In legal terms, wrongful death refers to a fatality that occurs because of the negligence or misdeeds of another person, corporation or entity. Part of the "personal injury" tort family, wrongful death holds an individual, group or corporation (defendant) accountable for causing injury to another person (plaintiff). The primary goal of a personal injury tort is to provide relief (damages) to the plaintiff and to deter the defendant from inflicting further harm to others. In a wrongful death action, consideration is given to the earnings the deceased would have provided to their family had they lived and damages are awarded to survivors based on this monetary loss. Survivors may also receive damages for medical and funeral expenses for the victim, estate administration expenses, survivor's emotional pain and suffering, and punitive damages (intentional harm judged to be exemplary).

State laws vary as to who may pursue a wrongful death claim. Generally, it is the immediate family members (spouses, children and parents); however, some states allow grandparents, legal dependents or members of the extended family to file suit. The amount of damages awarded will depend on the plaintiff's relationship to the deceased, while the compensation for damages may include compensation for the following:

• Reimbursement for all medical expenses incurred as a result of the negligence.
• Reimbursement for the loss of any future income.
• Reimbursement for property damage, if applicable.
• Reimbursement for any future services normally provided to you by the person who has died.
• Reimbursement for loss of consortium, meaning a spouse's right to the companionship, help and affection from the person who has died.
• Reimbursement for any punitive damages if the negligence was found to be gross or willful.

Proving Negligence

Typically, wrongful death suits involve vehicular accidents (aviation, automobile, ATV, motorcycle, or railroad), defective products, medical malpractice, pharmaceutical liability, and a number of other situations. The common element in most tort actions is negligence, which is characterized by inattention, thoughtlessness, inadvertence, and mistakes. Negligence must be proven in wrongful death cases and the Epperly & Follis, P.C law firm is skilled in helping clients prove that the four critical components of negligence exist in their claim:

1. The defendant had a duty to the deceased;
2. The defendant failed in that duty (breach of duty);
3. That the fatality was caused by the defendant's breach of duty; and
4. That the survivors are entitled to damages as a result of the loss of their loved one.

In addition to establishing negligence, the joint life expectancy of the deceased and the survivor or beneficiary must be presented (to establish the loss of future earnings) and the relationship of the survivor and deceased must also be shown. Finally, effective presentation of the non-economical or emotional loss suffered by the survivor is critical to a fair award of damages.

Experienced and Understanding Representation

If you feel that you have the basis for a wrongful death suit, it is important to contact an attorney immediately. Epperly & Follis, P.C lawyers will outline the documentation required, the decisions that must be made, and will continue to guide you through the legal process.

We know the law and victims' rights. We can help you make informed decisions, so please call Epperly & Follis, P.C today, at 1-888-703-0109 or (804) 648-6480 for your free legal consultation, or save time with our online Contact Form.