If a loved one has been the victim of wrongful death, you could be entitled to a large amount of compensation. However, it’s important to file a lawsuit in a timely fashion. If you wait too long, you may reach the statute of limitations, which will mean that you won’t be able to sue. Here’s what you need to know about filing a lawsuit for wrongful death:
Table of Contents
1. Know what is considered a wrongful death
Wrongful death is any negligent action that results in someone’s death. This act of negligence can be committed by a layperson or a professional, such as a doctor. If it is caused by a doctor, it would be considered medical malpractice. So, you’re probably wondering, “What defines negligence?”. These are a few common examples of situations where an individual would be considered negligent:
- – Someone who violated a traffic law and caused a fatal accident
- – A doctor who broke protocol in a manner that resulted in death
- – An individual who was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and caused a fatal crash
2. Pick out a competent lawyer
In order to successfully sue someone for wrongful death, you’ll need to make sure that you have the right representation for your day in court. The lawyer that you choose should be experienced with wrongful death suits, and you should check to make sure that they have plenty of experience with your local court.
This will help to ensure that they know how to appeal to judges and juries in your region. If you live in the Los Angeles area, Cherepinskiy Law Firm PC is the best firm to choose for a wrongful death case.
3. Understand the process of filing a wrongful death suit
In order to file a successful wrongful death suit, you’ll need to appear before a court. It is possible to either have your case heard by a judge or a jury, which will consist of 12 people. If you win your case, the defendant will be ordered to make payments. In addition, the defendant in a wrongful death case may face criminal charges as well in some circumstances.