MURFREESBORO WRONGFUL DEATH LAWYER
Personal injury cases are common, with an injured victim claiming that someone else’s negligence led to the incident that caused them harm. But what if the recklessness of another led to the passing of a loved one in your family that could have been prevented, and a personal injury case is no longer enough?
Losing a loved one will change your life in many different ways. Any loss of life will cause an immense amount of grief and sadness, but when you lose someone due to the negligent actions of another person, the aftermath is even more distressing. While you are trying to come to terms with the loss and the emotional burden, you will also face the financial stress of paying for your loved one’s funeral and burial, and your household may have even lost wages.
Though no amount of money could ever make up for your loved one’s death, a surviving family member can pursue economic damages and even noneconomic damages.
You have the right to file a claim against the negligent party, but these claims are governed by many laws in Tennessee. A Murfreesboro wrongful death lawyer can explain what those are and help your family claim the compensation you deserve.
When you are unsure of the legality of your wrongful death lawsuit, it can deter you from pursuing the case. Your first step should be to contact a Murfreesboro wrongful death attorney for a free consultation to evaluate your case and see if filing a claim is the right move.
What Constitutes an Unjust Loss of Life in Murfreesboro?
People often think that any sudden loss is unjust, but this is not true. Wrongful losses do occur suddenly, however, they are usually a result of an accident caused by another person’s negligence or wrongdoing. It is the act of negligence, carelessness, or misconduct that makes a loss wrongful.
For example, if a driver was careless and caused an accident that was fatal for another person, that would be a wrongful loss of life. Still, an unjust passing can result from intentional actions, as well. For instance, if one person murdered another, they may face criminal charges in court but they can also be held liable for the wrongful loss of life.
There are limits to when you can file a claim under the statute of limitations, as well as standards for who is allowed to pursue a case.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim in Murfreesboro
Under Tennessee law, only certain family members can file a wrongful death claim. In order of priority, these individuals are as follows:
- A surviving spouse
- A surviving child or next-of-kin
- The personal representative of the deceased
- Natural or adoptive parents of the deceased, if they had legal custody of the child at the time of death
When there are no surviving spouses, children, or parents, other relatives can file a wrongful death claim under certain circumstances. If you have lost someone, and live in Davidson County, Rutherford County, or the surrounding Nashville area, a Murfreesboro wrongful death lawyer can advise on whether you have the legal right to file a claim.
Why File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
There are several reasons why it could be worth understanding your legal options in the event of a loved one’s death. Though your family member cannot be replaced, a small amount of justice and financial compensation could be achieved for the family of the victim, all while remaining protected by the law.
Seeking Compensation in Wrongful Death Cases
One of the most common questions people have when they have the legal right to file a wrongful death claim is what types of damages they can recover. In the event of an unjust loss of life, eligible family members can claim economic damages such as:
- Medical costs the deceased incurred before their passing
- Funeral costs
- Burial costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of household services
Surviving family members can also pursue noneconomic damages, or punitive damages, that cannot be assessed with an obvious economic value, including:
- Emotional Distress
- Loss of companionship
Although the above are the most common types of damages in a wrongful death lawsuit, a lawyer can advise on the full compensation available for other losses and expenses. From there, we can recommend whether or not you should file suit on behalf of your loved one.
Holding the Responsible Party Accountable
Many of these wrongful death cases are completely preventable. When an incident occurs that leads to injury, personal injury lawyers can help to punish the negligent perpetrator and force an insurance company to pay damages.
The same is true in the event of a loved one’s death. If a car accident, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, or other wrongful act causes a loss of life, the behavior that led to the incident should be corrected.
Preventing Future Victims
Often, if no consequences are handed out, then the responsible party could harm more individuals in the future. If the case cannot be taken to court and no criminal defense is ever necessary, then the issues could continue. That is when working with wrongful death attorneys becomes important.
A Wrongful Death Attorney Understands the Claims Process
If you hope to pursue justice and fair compensation after a loved one’s death, then you will need injury lawyers who are experts in the law. The process for filing a claim and winning is very complex.
The negligent party may have an insurance company on their side that is looking to avoid paying damages. The law also places the burden of proof on the plaintiff.
Pursuing the Case Alone Lowers the Chance of Success
Due to these circumstances, a wrongful death case can be almost impossible to win on your own. Hiring an attorney to assist you is the wisest course of action to give you a greater chance of success. After a loved one’s death, whether it was a result of a vehicle accident or medical malpractice, you need legal representation to navigate the intricacies of the process.
Our Murfreesboro Wrongful Death Lawyers Can Help Your Family
Before we take on a new client, we make sure that they understand if they have a case or not. As you grieve for your loved one, we will handle the logistical and complicated aspects of filing a claim. Whether you are seeking economic or punitive damages, we will work tirelessly to reach a fair settlement.
Contact Us Today
Losing a loved one in a wrongful death case is never acceptable. At Mitch Grissim & Associates, our experienced Murfreesboro wrongful death lawyer can help your family hold the responsible party accountable so you secure the fair settlement you deserve. Call us today at 615-255-9999, fill out our online form to schedule a free case consultation, or visit our office location to learn more about how we can help.
We Handle Other Cases As Well
Our personal injury attorneys are also equipped to handle personal injury cases, which can be a challenging time for victims of another’s negligence. We have extensive experience helping individuals pursue fair compensation under the law, and put the attorney-client relationship first in all circumstances.
Whether you have experienced harm due to another’s negligence or a loved one has passed away because of reckless behavior, our team at Mitch Grissim & Associates would love to hear from you.
