Hampton Wrongful Death Lawyer
In the aftermath of the sudden death of a loved one, it can be difficult to even think about legalities or filing a wrongful death claim. However, if the negligence or recklessness of another led to the loss of your loved one, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your losses.
Our Hampton wrongful death lawyers are here to remove some of the stress from your shoulders as you focus on working through the grief from your loss. An unexpected death is likely to result in feelings of shock, disbelief, and extreme sorrow. This situation may be compounded by anger over the actions of others who have caused your loss. The compassionate injury attorney at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers can guide you through this difficult time so you can focus on what matters.
When a Wrongful Death Occurs
A wrongful death may occur whenever the negligent, careless, reckless, or otherwise wrongful actions of others result in fatal injuries. Wrongful death claims may arise out of motor vehicle accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slips and falls, and defective products, among others.
Whether the death occurs directly following an accident caused by the wrongful actions of another or from injuries sustained in the accident, surviving family members may have the right to take legal action against any responsible parties. So long as the decedent would have been entitled to bring a personal injury action if they had survived their injuries, surviving family members are entitled to bring a wrongful death action following the death.
While your grief may be overwhelming, you still must focus on securing the financial support necessary to sustain yourself and your family for the future. Not only may you be able to recover compensation for your economic losses, but you also may be able to recover damages for the sorrow, mental anguish, and distress of losing your loved one. In cases of extreme recklessness or willful and wanton conduct, the court may also award punitive damages to punish the behavior.To determine whether you have a viable wrongful death suit, it is important to consult a Hampton wrongful death lawyer.
Bringing a Claim in Hampton
Generally, the personal representative of the family members and estate of the deceased person is entitled to file a wrongful death claim. Certain surviving family members are authorized to recover damages through the wrongful death action.
Statute of Limitations in Wrongful Death Cases
Like every state, the Commonwealth of Virginia provides time limits for filing wrongful death claims. Generally, under Va. Code § 8.01-244, survivors must make any wrongful death claims no later than two years following the date of death of their deceased loved one.
This statute authorizes the personal representatives of the estate of the decedent to file the wrongful death claim. If you fail to do so, you could lose the ability to seek any sort of compensation for the wrongful death. Getting advice from a Hampton wrongful death attorney is vital to make sure you meet this deadline.
A Hampton Wrongful Death Attorney Can Be an Ally
When you suddenly and unexpectedly lose a loved one, you may be uncertain about what to do first. If the death has occurred due to the negligent or reckless behavior of others, you may have the legal right to hold those individuals accountable for their actions.
Our Hampton wrongful death lawyers can assess your situation and determine whether you have a valid wrongful death claim stemming from the death of your loved one. Call us to learn how we can help.
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