The term “wrongful death” is exactly what you would expect it to mean -- it refers to the untimely death of a person due to the negligence of another person. Dealing with death is difficult, but it can prove to be especially challenging if you know that your loved one’s death was due to the negligence and carelessness of another person. Fortunately, Connecticut has wrongful death statutes that allow you to collect compensation for your loved one’s pain and suffering if he or she had not died in the accident. Wrongful death cases can be complicated, which is why it is recommended that you get help from a personal injury lawyer if you are seeking compensation for your loved one’s untimely death.

Available Damages to Claim in Wrongful Death Cases

The entire premise of a wrongful death lawsuit is to allow a person’s family members to file what is essentially a personal injury lawsuit in the place of the deceased. Before any damages are awarded, the court must determine whether or not there is actually a case for negligence. If the defendant is determined to be held liable for a person’s wrongful death, they may be ordered to pay certain damages. These types of claims can be brought against someone after a fatal car crash or slip-and-fall accident. In some cases, a driver may have been intoxicated or a property owner failed to maintain a safe and secure environment for guests.   

Losing a loved one is never easy. The grief process can be a difficult one, but it can be especially painful if your loved one died because of the negligence of another person. The sudden death of a family member can wreak havoc on the family’s emotions, and also their finances. Funerals are much more expensive than many people believe -- the average cost of a funeral is around $10,000. Fortunately, the state of Connecticut provides ways for family members to recover compensation for the damages and costs associated with a wrongful death. The time right after the death of your loved one is critical -- the sooner you act, the better.

Filing a Wrongful Death Claim

In the state of Connecticut, a wrongful death claim is defined as a claim “for injuries resulting in death.” The claim itself is similar to that of a personal injury lawsuit -- you are claiming that someone else acted in a negligent manner, which caused the injuries which led to your loved one’s untimely death. Typically, a wrongful death claim must be submitted within two years of the date of death.

What Kind of Compensation Is Available in Wrongful Death Claims?

If you win your case, you may be entitled to certain types of compensation. The Connecticut wrongful death statute states that the following types of damages can be recovered: