Mystic Wrongful Death Lawyer

Mystic Wrongful Death Attorney

Few incidents in your life can be as heartbreaking or infuriating as a wrongful death. Losing a loved one can be tragic enough before considering the possibility that their death was caused by someone else’s negligent or malicious actions. Investigating the cause and determining negligence is often not easy, but it’s reasonable to want to hold responsible parties liable. An experienced Mystic, CT, wrongful death lawyer can help you navigate your case.

The legal team at Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law understands how hard this can be for you. Pursuing a civil case for a wrongful death claim can be complex and emotional, which is why it’s often beneficial to hire a Mystic wrongful death attorney to help you determine the right course of action. Having someone in your corner who understands Connecticut’s wrongful death laws can only help you in the long run. Our firm can provide you with the right resources.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Connecticut

If you move forward with a civil claim for wrongful death and it goes to trial, your case is likely to be heard at the regional Superior Court located in New London. First, you must have legal standing to file a wrongful death claim. Since Mystic is part of the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Probate District, an attorney can help determine eligible parties for filing the wrongful death claim and develop a strong case.

Wrongful death can be caused by any number of unfortunate accidents and negligent actions, though some are far more common than others. Understanding the more common causes of wrongful death throughout the state can better prepare you for your case and what to expect in court or through negotiations. Here are some of the more common causes of wrongful death in Connecticut:

• Car accidents. A car accident can happen at any time and for any reason, but sometimes it’s caused by another driver’s negligence. According to the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), there were 69 fatal car accidents in the state in the first half of 2024 alone. Many of those accidents may have been the cause of someone’s negligent actions, which would justify a wrongful death claim by the victim’s family. Call our Mystic car accident attorneys to learn more.
• Medical malpractice. We put a great deal of trust in medical professionals. Unfortunately, in some cases, medical negligence can lead to horrific tragedies. Surgical errors, misdiagnoses, and even prescription errors can all lead to someone losing their life. According to the Connecticut Insurance Department, there were over 2,300 medical malpractice claims in the state closed between 2019 and 2024.
• Workplace accidents. Every workplace has the potential for a sudden and unavoidable accident, though some workplaces can be far more dangerous than others. If a loved one lost their life in a workplace accident that someone else was found to be responsible for causing, you may want to pursue a wrongful death claim. In 2022, the most recent year on record, 34 Connecticut workers lost their lives in workplace accidents.
• Premises liability. Connecticut state law requires home and property owners to exercise a certain duty of care for people who are lawfully present on their property. If someone were to suffer a fatal accident on that property, fault may lie entirely with the owner if the death was due to a present hazard that was not blocked off or cleared up. Negligent security that leads to a homicide can result in the same conclusion. Contact our Mystic premises liability lawyer today for more info.
• Defective products. When you purchase a product, you shouldn’t have to worry about it being dangerous, especially when there’s no warning label. Some faulty or defective products can result in life-changing injuries or even cause someone’s death, depending on how they are used and what’s wrong with them. Faulty medical equipment, poorly manufactured medication, or consumer goods can cause severe problems.

How Does the Wrongful Death Claim Process Work?

There are certain elements of a wrongful death claim in Connecticut that need to be fulfilled for a case to even be considered valid. Firstly, you must make sure that your case adheres to the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims, which is generally two years from the date of the victim’s death. Next, you can only pursue a wrongful death claim if you are the executor of the deceased’s will or the administrator of the deceased’s estate if no will exists.

Here are the steps in the process for a wrongful death claim in Connecticut:

• The wrongful death claims process begins when the executor or administrator establishes an estate in probate court. Your attorney can help you gather evidence of wrongful death that includes the police or accident reports, the deceased’s medical records, and any witness statements that can help establish liability and prove negligence.
• Once evidence has been gathered, the claim is initiated when your lawyer sends a demand package to the liable party’s insurance carrier. Settlement negotiations then begin. If no settlement can be reached, your lawyer can file a formal complaint in the Connecticut Superior Court.
• Trial generally begins in the absence of a settlement. Both parties exchange relevant information, including depositions and other documents. Many wrongful death cases settle out of court, but if yours doesn’t, you want a skilled lawyer with litigation experience to handle your case.

Why Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer?

There are many valid reasons to hire a wrongful death lawyer. Throughout this case, you may be dealing with a lot of conflicting and powerful emotions, especially if you were close to the deceased. An experienced lawyer can take charge of the case and give you the time to grieve without having to worry about filing deadlines and building a case.

At Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law, we’ve spent more than 80 years handling our clients’ cases due to tragic circumstances. We know how to help. It’s important that you do what you can to build a solid wrongful death case. The last thing you want is for the negligent party not to be held accountable and for justice not to be delivered.

Our experienced and compassionate Mystic legal team can assist you in building a case, gathering evidence, and ensuring nobody takes advantage of you in this vulnerable time. Contact us to speak to someone on our team who can give you the help you need.

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