There are few things in life more tragic than losing a loved one. It can be especially frustrating if you know that it didn't have to happen, and that it's due to the negligence of another person or institution. Our attorneys have represented many families forced to cope with the untimely death of a loved one due to the acts of others. We understand the emotional toll that such a tragedy causes and we treat the family with compassion while aggressively working to get them the compensation they deserve.

Generally, when the deceased person is an adult, their spouse or children have the right to seek a legal recovery if the loved one has died due to negligence or an intentional act. When the death of a minor is involved, the right to recover belongs to the child's parents. In the event a person is not survived by a spouse, child or either parent, then the right to pursue a wrongful death action belongs to the deceased person's estate.

Determining the appropriate value of a claim for "wrongful death" and for the estate's claim is complicated. It involves evaluating the nature and extent of the injury which led to the person's death, the economic losses that are recoverable, and the liability issues related to the situation. The location where a trial would take place and the person's health are issues that are also factored into any evaluation of a wrongful death claim.