Did someone you love die due to the negligence or wrongful actions of another party? Known as wrongful death cases, experiences like these often leave family members grappling with grief and sorrow like no other, especially when you consider that their death was preventable.
At the same time, it’s not uncommon to feel sadness that is compounded by the desire to fight on behalf of your loved one. The good news is that you don’t have to go up against the at-fault parties all alone—instead, let a Haverhill wrongful death lawyer help you.
With a Haverhill personal injury lawyer by your side, you won’t have to figure out the legal system by yourself. At Jason Stone Injury Lawyers, our attorneys have 21-plus years in business, and we have recovered $250 million in compensation across 15,000 cases.
What is the Massachusetts Wrongful Death Statute?
The wrongful death statute in Massachusetts allows for a civil lawsuit to be brought by the surviving family members of a deceased person if the following factors are both true:
- The wrongful act or neglect of another caused that individual’s death
- The action is filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate
The court typically appoints the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. Also, the wrongful death claim must meet specific criteria. For starters, the surviving family members must show that the defendant’s actions directly caused the death of their loved one.
This could be due to negligence, intentional harm, or a violation of safety laws that subsequently directly resulted in the fatal accident or injury. Similarly, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim in Massachusetts is three years.
In other words, you have 36 months from the date of your loved one’s death to take legal action. Contact Haverhill wrongful death attorneys as soon as possible. If you do not file within this time frame, you could lose your right to compensation altogether.
Types of Wrongful Death Cases
Wrongful death cases arise from a wide range of incidents. Each case has unique circumstances that must be taken into consideration, but they typically all have one thing in common: the negligence or wrongful conduct of another person or entity caused the death.
With that in mind, here are some common types of wrongful death incidents that have the power to result in fatal outcomes:
- Car accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Workplace incidents
- Defective products
- Premises liability
Types of Compensation Your Wrongful Death Attorney in Haverhill Will Likely Help You Recover
When pursuing a wrongful death claim, the family members of the deceased person are often entitled to receive various types of compensation. This is meant to compensate the family for their loss while providing them with financial relief during a difficult time.
Let’s take a look at the three categories of losses that wrongful death lawyers in Haverhill will help you pursue compensation for:
- Economic
- Non-economic
- Punitive
Economic Losses
When a loved one dies, the surviving family is likely to experience financial losses. A lawyer can help you recover money to cover those losses. Here are a few examples of what this type of compensation often entails:
- Funeral and burial expenses: The costs of funeral services, burial, and related expenses are often very expensive. Thankfully, the deceased party’s family will likely be able to recover the extent of these costs.
- Medical bills: If the deceased person incurred medical expenses before their death due to the injury or illness caused by the defendant’s actions, these expenses will likely be reimbursed.
- Loss of income: When the deceased person was the primary breadwinner, the surviving family members are often entitled to compensation for the loss of future income and financial support.
Non-Economic Losses
Non-economic compensation is intended to cover the intangible losses that the family members experience due to the death of their loved one. These losses often include the following:
- Loss of companionship and support: The surviving spouse, children, or parents will likely be entitled to compensation for the emotional loss of their loved one’s companionship, love, and support.
- Pain and suffering: If the deceased person experienced pain and suffering prior to their death, the family will likely be entitled to monetary compensation for this suffering.
Punitive Damages
In cases where the defendant’s conduct was particularly reckless or egregious, punitive damages are often awarded. It’s important to note that punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant for their wrongful actions and deter others from engaging in similar conduct.
These damages are not meant to compensate the family. Instead, they serve as a form of punishment for the defendant’s actions.
Contact Our Wrongful Death Law Firm in Haverhill for More Information About What We Will Do For You
Losing a loved one unexpectedly is devastating, especially when that loss could have been prevented. On top of the emotional pain that you’re already dealing with, the thought of taking legal action often feels like too much to bear.
The good news is you don’t have to face the legal system on your own—Haverhill wrongful death attorneys at the law firm of Jason Stone Injury Lawyers are ready to help. We take care of our own because Massachusetts is our home. There’s no obligation, just information®.
Our attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis, so you’ll never need to reach into your pocket to pay us. When you reach out to us, trust that we will respond to you within 24 hours. That’s part of our Stone Cold Guarantee®.
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