Personal Injury Blog

What Is Classified as Wrongful Death?

A wrongful death occurs when a person is killed due to the negligence, carelessness, or intentional act of another person. Sadly, wrongful deaths often inflict substantial financial losses on the deceased’s family and loved ones. The costs for medical care, burial, and the loss of current and future income can be overwhelming to surviving family members. Not to mention the pain and suffering the family must endure is immeasurable.

If your family is suffering from a sudden and unjust loss, contact a New Jersey wrongful death attorney today. Your attorney can pursue justice on your behalf and help you seek financial recovery for your physical, mental, and emotional damages.

What Is Considered a Wrongful Death?

Negligent behavior is often the cause of wrongful deaths. Many times, the fatal injury is the result of an accident, such as a workplace mishap or a car crash. Some of these fatalities are classified as wrongful death, while others are not.

So, what constitutes a wrongful death?

When a person fails to demonstrate reasonable care to avoid a serious injury to another person or persons, it is considered negligence. Along the same lines, when that negligence results in the death of another person, it can be classified as wrongful death. Under New Jersey law, the surviving family may sue the negligent party, whether it be a person, business, or other entity, for the wrongful death of a loved one.

Wrongful death can also stem from intentionally wrongful acts, and wrongful death claims often happen along with criminal homicide cases.

Types of Damages That Can Be Claimed in a Wrongful Death Case

Wrongful death lawsuits allow surviving family members to recover funeral and burial expenses. They may also be entitled to recover expenses for medical care, physical rehabilitation, prescriptions, and other health-related costs. They are entitled to other economic damages such as lost wages if they must take time off from work or if they no longer have the income of the deceased that they rely on.

Non-economic damages may also be claimed. For instance, surviving family members could receive compensation for the loss of companionship. A child of the deceased may seek compensation for loss of guidance and even the loss of future inheritance.

An experienced New Jersey wrongful death attorney can help families determine the best course of action in these difficult cases.

Speak with a Wrongful Death Lawyer in New Jersey For a Case Review

Leonard Legal Group understands how devastating it is to lose a loved one due to another party’s negligence or misconduct. We know that in addition to the emotional toll of such a tragic event, you may also have to deal with the financial aftermath as well. Scott Leonard is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney and has handled wrongful death cases for over 25 years. He has the compassion and expertise to get justice for the loss of your loved one.

We want you to know you do not have to face the burden by yourself. We would like to help you get the justice you deserve. While we can never eliminate the pain of losing a dear family member, we can help you gain a sense of closure by holding the negligent party accountable for their actions.

Please reach out to us and let us get started working on your case. Contact us now at 973-984-1414 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.