New London Wrongful Death Lawyer

New London Wrongful Death Attorney

The wrongful death of a loved one is often the hardest situation someone can face, and there may be far more complications going forward than you expected. A support system of friends and family can help, but you may find you need the help of legal counsel to file a wrongful death claim. An experienced New London, CT, wrongful death lawyer can assess your case and provide you with a solid plan to seek damages after a tragic event.

The legal team at Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law knows that attempting to make things right with a wrongful death claim can be an intensely emotional uphill struggle. Our New London wrongful death attorneys can compassionately explain Connecticut’s wrongful death laws and how they apply to your situation. Our skilled legal team can take control of the case and give you the chance to focus on grieving as you adjust to life-altering circumstances.

The Connecticut Wrongful Death Claim Process

In New London, Connecticut, a wrongful death claim involves two distinct venues depending on the stage of the process. First, you must petition the New London Probate Court for authority to file, which is located at 181 State Street, Room 2, New London, CT 06320. Then, the wrongful death claim may be filed in the Civil Division of the Superior Court for the New London Judicial District, located at 70 Huntington Street, New London, CT 06320.

An attorney can help with both steps of the process and can help you build a strong wrongful death claim based on the facts of the case.

For the wrongful death claims process to succeed, you need to make sure that statutory elements are fulfilled. Since wrongful death claims are typically seen as personal injury cases on behalf of the deceased, the statute of limitations is the same as that of a personal injury case. You have two years from the date of the wrongful death to pursue damages. In Connecticut, only the executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate can pursue a wrongful death claim. Here is the process:

• A wrongful death claim begins in probate court, where the executor of the will or the administrator of the estate, if no will exists, establishes an estate. Your attorney can help gather evidence to support your claim and establish liability. This evidence can often include medical or police reports, witness statements, expert testimony, and other records.
• After evidence has been collected and your case has been developed, your lawyer can send a formal demand package to the responsible party’s insurance company, which generally begins settlement negotiations. Connecticut does not have a damage cap for wrongful death cases, so it is essential not to accept any lowball offers. Your attorney can help you determine the appropriate damages in your case.
• If a settlement can’t be reached through negotiations, it is decided in a civil trial. A considerable number of wrongful death cases are settled without ever entering a courtroom, but having a lawyer who is prepared for litigation can be a benefit, even in the negotiation stage.

Common Wrongful Death Situations

The circumstances of each wrongful death case are unique, but any time somebody passes away as a result of another person’s actions, there may be the possibility of a wrongful death claim. As such, there are several common factors that may warrant a legal claim. Here are some of the most common wrongful death situations that often occur in Connecticut:

• Workplace accidents. A workplace should be a place where you can do your job without worrying about getting hurt or fatally injured. Some workplaces are far more dangerous than others, but an accident can happen in any one of them. According to data from The Connecticut Economic Digest, the state lost 34 workers’ lives to workplace injuries in 2022 alone. If the incident was someone’s fault, proving liability is key.
• Car crashes. A car crash can happen to anyone, and the consequences can often be destructive. If the crash was caused by another driver’s actions and somebody died, that driver may have to face a wrongful death claim. Recent data from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) showed that speeding alone directly caused 119 deaths on Connecticut roads in 2023.
• Medical malpractice. When you put your faith in a healthcare professional, you expect them to conduct themselves with professionalism and avoid any mistakes. Medical errors can lead to catastrophes that can be hard to come back from, including wrongful deaths. The Connecticut Insurance Department showed there were over 2,300 malpractice claims in the state between 2019 and 2024 in a recent report.
• Premises liability. There’s nothing wrong with trusting home and property owners to repair hazards and maintain safety protocols on their property. Connecticut state law requires property owners to do just that, and violations of premises liability laws can result in terrible injuries and even deaths. Common incidents include slip and fall accidents, unsafe conditions, or poorly maintained premises. Fault may lie with the owner, and they may be responsible for civil damages.

Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer Today

The death of a loved one can be one of the hardest events of your life. Depending on your relationship to the deceased and the circumstances surrounding their death, there may be little you can do to seek justice in criminal court. However, in some cases, you may be able to seek accountability through civil court. The first step is to hire a wrongful death lawyer in New London to evaluate your claim and help you build your case.

The experienced legal team at Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law has devoted nearly a century to ensuring our clients are taken care of, respected, and given every chance to fight back against an injustice like a wrongful death. We’ve built a reputation based on trust, faith, reliability, and drive, and we have been recognized by Super Lawyers and other organizations. We know what kind of help you need in a wrongful death case.

Our dedicated attorneys won’t waste any time putting your case together. We can collect additional evidence, navigate the claims process, and make sure no costly mistakes are made. Reach out to Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law today to speak with a valued member of our legal team about your legal options and learn how we can help you recover damages in your wrongful death case.

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