Scottsdale Wrongful Death Attorney

Why Do You Need a Wrongful Death Attorney?

Losing a loved one can be one of the most challenging times of your life, even if their death was long-expected. However, if you lost a loved one in an incident involving another party's intentional actions or negligence, their death can be even more intense. You or another family member may be entitled to file a "wrongful death" claim on behalf of your deceased relative. Such a claim can arise from a death resulting from a car accident, medical malpractice, a defective product, or even homicide. 

It's imperative to have an experienced wrongful death attorney in Scottsdale by your side during this process to stand up for your rights and maximize your claim's value. They can focus on the legal aspects of your claim while you take time to grieve your immense loss and care for your family.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?

A wrongful death claim is very similar to a personal injury claim. The main difference is that since the deceased individual isn't here to file a personal injury claim for themselves, so someone else can file a wrongful death claim for them to seek damages. Generally, the person who can file such a claim is the decedent's family member. Alternatively, it can also be a personal representative they selected before their death or one appointed by the court if no family member is available. Family members who can file a wrongful death claim typically include the decedent's:

• Spouse
• Parents
• Legal guardian
• Children and adult children

If one person is no longer living or isn't available to file the suit, it goes to the next person. For example, if the deceased individual's spouse died in the same accident, it would then be an option for their parents or children to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Your wrongful death lawyer in Scottsdale can help you determine the most appropriate party to bring a claim on behalf of your deceased loved one.

Compensation Available for your Wrongful Death Claim

A wrongful death claim encompasses both damages incurred by the deceased person before their death and damages incurred by the next of kin after their death. Damages in the former category can include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages from the time of the accident until their death
• Mental and physical pain and suffering
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Property damage

Damages sought by the next of kin can include:

• Lost wages the deceased would have earned through retirement if it weren't for their untimely death
• Loss of consortium or deprivation of the deceased's love and companionship, or if the deceased was a parent to minor children, the loss of guidance from a parent

If you are searching for a seasoned Scottsdale wrongful death attorney to help during this difficult time of life, look no further than our magazine as a resource. We've taken the guesswork out of finding legal help and have done the research for you, allowing you to move forward with the right Scottsdale wrongful death lawyer for you.