There are many possible consequences of negligence, and death is undoubtedly the worst possible outcome of a negligent act. When a wrongful death happens, you may:
- Lose a loved one whose value to you and others is incalculable
- Be responsible for paying medical bills for your deceased loved one
- Endure excruciating pain and suffering
- Lose the income of your loved one, which may have been the means of supporting your children or other family members
- Have grounds to bring a lawsuit against the person or people responsible for your loved one’s death
If you or a loved one are considering bringing a lawsuit related to a wrongful death, consider using the services of a Rayne wrongful death lawyer. Call our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today at (337) 777-7777 to find out how a wrongful death lawyer may assist you.
A Sudden Death May Be a Wrongful Death
Receiving the news that a loved one has passed away unexpectedly may be a punch to the gut, which is not comparable to any other type of pain. When a death happens because of negligence, it is possible—if not likely—that you had no way of anticipating the deadly event, which may add to the shock and pain you and your loved ones experience.
Some circumstances that may cause or contribute to a wrongful death include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Pedestrian or bicyclist accidents
- Workplace accidents
- One or more medical errors
- Accidents caused by a dangerous premise, such as a slip or trip and fall accident
- Animal bites, which could lead to a lethal infection
- Accidents caused by a defective product, including defective drugs
- Any environmental contamination that proves deadly
- Elder abuse or neglect
Do not be alarmed if your loved one’s death was not caused by any of the circumstances listed above—this is only a sampling of the many ways that a wrongful death may occur. The general criteria for bringing a wrongful death lawsuit can be interpreted as such:
- Your loved one suffered an illness or injury that claimed their life
- One or more people, or one or more organizations, exposed your loved one to harm that contributed to their death
- One or more people or organizations failed to protect your loved one from foreseeable harm that contributed to their death
If you believe that the above accurately describes your loved one’s circumstances, then you may be able to collect compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.
You Could Be Eligible to Bring a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
According to Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.1, you could be eligible to collect compensation due to a wrongful death if:
- You are the spouse of the deceased
- You are a child of the deceased (adopted or biological)
- You are the mother or father of the deceased
- You are a brother or sister to the deceased
- You are a grandparent of the deceased
The spouse and children of the deceased generally take precedence in terms of collecting compensation, but there could be exceptions where other family members are also entitled to compensation because of a wrongful death.
In addition to any compensation that you may receive from a negligent party responsible for your loved one’s death, a lawyer may be able to assist you with inheritance-related legal matters if your loved one did not have a will at the time of their passing.
To find out more about the matters that a Rayne wrongful death lawyer could handle for you, call our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today at (337) 777-7777 for a free consultation.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientDamages That You and Your Family May Collect
A wrongful death is an extremely personal, emotional matter, and you may have more than one motivation for bringing a wrongful death lawsuit. You may see the goal of your wrongful death lawsuit as:
- Finding a measure of justice for your loved one that they cannot seek for themselves, especially if there is no corresponding criminal case related to your loved one’s death
- Seeking financial help for the spouse or children of the deceased, either of which you may be
- Holding responsible parties accountable for actions that resulted in a death
By nature of bringing a wrongful death lawsuit, financial compensation will almost certainly be one of the benchmarks for your lawsuit’s success. Some types of compensation that you may be able to win include indemnity for:
- Economic losses such as medical costs, funeral costs, the loss of the deceased’s income and other forms of financial support, and the loss of tangible services that your loved one provided to surviving family members
- Non-economic losses, which may include the pain and suffering of the deceased as well as surviving family members, and loss of comfort, guidance, and support for the surviving loved ones of the deceased
The court may view negligence that causes wrongful death with an appropriate level of seriousness, and consider that the loss of a loved one is the greatest pain that one can endure. This reality may be reflected in non-economic compensation that you receive as the result of your wrongful death lawsuit.
A Lawyer Will Fight in Your Loved One’s Name
If you are bringing a wrongful death claim, then you are fighting for surviving loved ones, as well as the memory of your loved one who has passed away. Your lawyer may keep the legacy of your loved one in mind with every action they take.
Some of the ways that a lawyer may help you include:
- Treating your family as their own, and making your pain personal
- Handling all of your legal needs
- Not resting until your case is closed and, they hope, you receive the compensation that you are entitled to
- Protecting your rights and the memory of your loved one
A lawyer may have access to resources such as experts and investigators who they may lean on to strengthen your case. The goal is justice for your loved one and compensation for you.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientCall Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
If you lost a loved one in a manner that you believe was avoidable, then you may have grounds to bring a wrongful death lawsuit. A Rayne wrongful death lawyer could allow you to focus your attention on other matters while they pursue any compensation that you deserve.
Call our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today at (337) 777-7777 for a free case review. Do not wait to call, as Louisiana Civil Code Article 3492 states that the statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits is generally one year from the date of death. Call regardless of when your loved one’s death was, as there may be exceptions to Article 3492.
