Losing someone close to you is a painful and devastating experience, no matter the circumstances. It can be difficult to know what to do following their death. Even worse, some people suffer the loss of a loved one due to careless actions or negligence from a business, entity, or individual. If you suspect this is the case for your loss, a Meriden wrongful death lawyer can represent you in a claim. If your loved one’s passing involved negligence, an expert personal injury lawyer in Meriden can help you understand your legal rights and guide you through the next steps.
At Jacobs & Jacobs, we have the skills and resources to thoroughly investigate your case and recover the compensation you deserve. Moreover, the justice and financial relief from a claim can get you the closure you need after suffering such a painful loss.
Wrongful death is defined as a death caused by another person’s wrongful actions or neglect. Typically, this can include a negligence-based incident, such as medical malpractice, or an intentional act. The wrongful death statute in Connecticut states that an estate can recover compensation for, among other losses:
From 2019 to 2021, there were 104,083 deaths in Connecticut, and 7,292 of them were classified as accidents. Unfortunately, a portion of those deaths can be attributed to another party’s negligence or intentional actions. If your loss occurred under such circumstances, a Meriden wrongful death lawyer can fight for the justice you deserve.
Connecticut state laws differ from those in other states, so it’s important to understand your eligibility for filing a wrongful death claim. In many states, family members can file the claim directly. In Connecticut, only an executor or administrator of the decedent’s estate can file a wrongful death claim.
If the victim did not have a will or a designated executor, the Meriden Probate Court typically appoints an administrator for the estate. This executor or administrator must handle all the filing for a wrongful death case, even though the damages recovered are for the surviving family members.
Once you’ve determined your eligibility to file a wrongful death case, you must establish grounds for the claim. This is done by proving that the decedent’s death was caused by another party’s negligence or intentional actions. Your attorney must prove that
At this point, it’s important to gather any key evidence to build a solid case. A Meriden wrongful death lawyer can explore all your legal avenues and gather evidence to support your claim. This includes:
The next step in the process is to open an estate if it hasn’t already been established. The Meriden Probate Court can appoint an executor or administrator once you file the petition and provide a death certificate. After that, you can file the official claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
If the insurance company denies the claim or offers unfair settlement terms, you can file a case with a Connecticut Superior Court. Wrongful death cases in Meriden are under the jurisdiction of the New Haven Judicial District.
From 2019 to 2023, a total of 2,387 medical malpractice claims were reported according to an annual report from the Connecticut Insurance Department. Medical malpractice is only one of the possible causes of wrongful death cases, which highlights the need for solid representation when these situations arise.
The statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim in Connecticut is two years from the date of the victim’s death, though an exception can be made in cases where the act of negligence was not discovered until a later date. By working with a Meriden wrongful death lawyer, you can rest assured you’re filing everything correctly and completing all the right steps in a timely manner.
Your chances of winning a wrongful death case depend on a variety of factors, including the presence of negligence and the skills of your Meriden wrongful death lawyer. In Connecticut, the filing party has the burden of proof, which means your attorney must convince a judge with enough key evidence. This typically comes down to the quality of the evidence and witness testimonies.
In Connecticut, you can recover various types of compensation from a successful wrongful death claim. Some common damages people recover include:
All wrongful death claims are based on negligence, which requires proving that:
The person who is held liable, or legally and financially responsible for the wrongful death, typically caused the victim’s final injury or illness. Common parties that can be held liable for wrongful death in Meriden include:
The life expectancy for Meriden residents averages at 78.9 as of 2015. Death is a natural part of life, but it’s important to understand your rights if the circumstances surrounding a loved one’s death seem off to you.
Our team at Jacobs & Jacobs has decades of experience in handling complex wrongful death cases in Connecticut. We can build your case and fight for the justice you deserve. Contact us today to arrange a consultation. We’re situated conveniently near State Street and Union train stations and are ready to hear your story.