Why File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
The unexpected death of a loved one can be devastating. When we see fatal accidents reported in the news, we don’t often think about what comes next for the victim’s family. For those who have experienced the wrongful death of a family member, it’s hard to know what to do to move on and heal from such a tragedy.
After the initial feelings of shock have subsided, it’s important that the family addresses any and all legal matters relating to the accident. Was this accident caused by someone else’s negligence? If so, you really owe it to to victim to seek justice on their behalf.
“But I Feel Uncomfortable Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit.”
Taking legal action is often the last thing on someone’s mind after a tragedy, but you need to do what’s right for your family. Many people are uncomfortable with the word “lawsuit” and fear being looked at as “sue-happy” or greedy. Unfortunately, this public perception is the result of misinformation and media sensationalism.
In reality, lawsuits are often the ONLY recourse someone has to legally compel a liable party (and their insurance company) to pay for the damage they’ve caused. A wrongful death lawsuit may seem like overkill, especially if you’re still raw with emotions such as grief and shock, but you need to at least explore the legal options available to you and your family after such a life-changing tragedy.
Recovering the Money Your Family Deserves
One of the most important reasons why you should consider a wrongful death lawsuit is that you may be able to recover the money damages that your family now needs moving forward. Was the victim a source of income for the family? Why should your family suffer the financial consequences of losing this income? Do you have medical and funeral bills? Medical costs keep rising with each passing year, and funerals aren’t cheap. You shouldn’t have to reach into your own pocket to pay off bills when it was someone else’s negligence that caused to your loved one’s death.
You also shouldn’t have to reach into your own pocket to fund your wrongful death claim, and that’s where a law firm can help. Most every wrongful death lawyer (including myself) takes these cases on contingency. This means that your attorney fronts ALL of the costs associated with your claim, and only gets paid a percentage of the final award. If your attorney does not win your case or secure you an out-of-court settlement, you literally owe your attorney nothing. This way there is no financial risk on your part, and you can be certain that your goals are aligned with those of your attorney.
The loss of a loved one, especially a breadwinner, can change the trajectory of your whole family. Saddled with debt and waking up to the reality of less money coming in at the end of the month shouldn’t have to be your future. Your children and those who depended on the deceased individual should be taken care of and have their lifestyles, education and financial needs continue on uninterrupted. Nothing will replace the loss of a human life, but by pursuing a wrongful death claim, you may be able to collect damages that you can use to sustain a certain way of living that’s similar to the one you had before the accident.
Holding the Responsible Party Accountable for Their Actions
If your loved one had suffered a serious injury and survived, would they let the person who caused it escape liability? Of course not. This person’s negligence has resulted in the worst kind of tragedy, and now your family is suffering because of it. You have a right (and many would say an obligation) to seek justice.
Without holding people (and companies) responsible for their actions, history is doomed to repeat itself. If you’re debating on whether or not you should file a wrongful death lawsuit, understand that through a lawsuit, you have the power to drive fundamental safety changes that can affect countless others in the future. Fatal workplace accident lawsuits often set off a chain of events that lead to the revision and implementation of laws and/or regulations that will lead to better workplace safety practices, making the world safer for all of us.
Rasansky law firm has, over the last 25 years, been fighting for the rights of families who have been affected by preventable fatalities. For a free consultation, please call 1-800-ATTORNEY or 214-651-6100 (Dallas-Fort Worth local).
Category: Lawyer's Advice
