Niantic Wrongful Death Lawyer
Niantic Wrongful Death Attorney
Fatal accidents leave loved ones with a huge emotional and financial burden. When another party’s negligence was the cause of an accident, filing a claim can hold them accountable while recovering your damages. A Niantic wrongful death lawyer can help you pursue the compensation your family deserves.
Why Work With Suisman Shapiro?
With over 80 years of experience, Suisman Shapiro has represented countless accident victims and their loved ones. Our compassionate lawyers have extensive experience with wrongful death laws and use a personalized approach to each case. Though this time is often filled with pain and uncertainty, our lawyers can make the process easier by managing the legal details of your case so you can focus on what matters most.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death
Understanding the cause of the death is important when determining who is at fault. At Suisman Shapiro, we can investigate your accident and learn who can be held-liable, even in complex accidents. Some types of accidents that can lead to a wrongful death include:
- Car accidents. In 2024, Connecticut had 274 accidents that resulted in fatal injuries. These accidents are often caused by negligence, such as speeding, distracted driving, or drunk driving. After a car crash, a negligent driver can be held liable for your damages.
- Workplace accidents. In Connecticut, 34 workers lost their lives from workplace injuries in 2024. Fatal workplace accidents can happen anywhere, but are more likely in construction, commercial trucking, or manufacturing.
- Premises liability accidents. When a fatality occurs on someone else’s property due to unsafe conditions, the property owner may be at fault. Examples of deadly hazards that can arise when a property owner is negligent include exposure to hazardous materials, slippery floors, or collapsing structures.
- Medical malpractice. When professionals make errors such as poor sanitation, misdiagnosis, surgical mistakes, or misadministration of medication, it can cost lives. In five years, 2,387 medical malpractice claims were filed in Connecticut.
No matter what accident occurred, these cases are extremely traumatic. While a lawyer can provide compassionate guidance, reduce your stress, and help you take legal action, many people benefit from grief support. Brian’s Healing Hearts Center for Hope and Healing can provide support after an accident in Niantic.
What Types of Compensation Are Available for a Wrongful Death Claim
While no financial compensation can make up for the loss of a loved one, it can help you avoid further financial hardship, allowing you to maintain stability after a loss. The amount of compensation you can receive depends on the damages you have suffered. The three main types of damages are:
- Economic damages. These damages are the financial losses after a death and for end-of-life care. Economic damages can include final medical bills, a loss of financial support, lost income, and funeral and burial expenses.
- Non-economic damages. These damages include the intangible losses that don’t have direct monetary value. Non-economic damages can include pain and suffering and loss of consortium.
- Punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded to penalize the at-fault party for extreme negligence or malicious conduct, and are not available in all cases.
Why You Should Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer
A Niantic wrongful death lawyer can guide you through the filing process. When it comes to filing the claim, various requirements, deadlines, and steps must be followed. Before even filing the claim, the executor of the estate must petition the Niantic Regional Probate Court at 118 Pennsylvania Avenue. A lawyer can explain each step in the process and manage legal filings so you don’t become overwhelmed with the legal details or make errors.
When pursuing compensation, a lawyer can pursue the full amount you deserve. They can calculate your losses to determine a fair amount. It can be difficult to advocate for your own damages, especially when against large insurance providers. A lawyer can negotiate for increased compensation to make sure you are not left with lingering financial burdens, whether in negotiations or in court.
FAQs
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?
According to Connecticut’s wrongful death laws, only the deceased person’s executor or administrator of their estate can file a wrongful death claim. Because an executor’s role is to manage and distribute the deceased’s estate, they are seen as responsible for pursuing legal action. If the deceased did not name an executor or did not have an estate plan, the court can appoint one on their behalf.
How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim is two years from the date of death. There is also a statute of repose that must be followed, which is a deadline from the date the negligent action occurred. For example, medical malpractice has a three-year statute of repose. A Niantic wrongful death attorney can explain the deadlines for your claim and can work swiftly to build a claim.
How Does Comparative Negligence Affect a Wrongful Death Claim?
Comparative negligence can impact the amount of compensation you receive after a wrongful death. Connecticut follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning that the party with 50% or more of the fault can be held liable for the victim’s damages. If the deceased shared fault, but was found to be under 50% responsible, you can file a wrongful death claim. However, compensation can be reduced by the percentage of fault the deceased had.
What Evidence Is Needed to Prove a Wrongful Death Claim?
To prove a wrongful death claim, you must have sufficient evidence to prove the at-fault party’s negligence caused the death and to show the impact of your loss. If you hire a wrongful death lawyer, they can collect evidence to do this, which may include medical records, witness statements, witness testimonies, incident reports, police reports, and financial records.
Speak With a Niantic Wrongful Death Attorney About Filing a Claim
After a tragic accident leads to the death of a loved one, it is important to understand that you do have legal options. Contact Suisman Shapiro for a free case consultation to learn how we build cases that support the families throughout the claims process and into their future.
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