Get Justice for Wrongful Death
Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult and challenging experiences in life. If your loved one has died as the result of a car accident, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse or another negligent act, it can be even more difficult.
In addition to your emotional strain, you could be struggling with medical bills, household costs and other intense life stress. Even at the best of times, the loss of a loved one is devastating. That’s why, during the aftermath, we can help you pursue your legal options and protect your future.
Our experienced attorneys at Hall-Justice Law Firm LLC are compassionate with all of our clients while working tirelessly to investigate the facts and circumstances of your loved one’s death. Our goal is to maximize the best possible outcome for your case and get you the justice you and your family deserve.
WHAT IS A WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM?
After the loss of a loved one, you might find yourself burdened with grief — as well as medical bills, funeral expenses, and a decreased family income. A wrongful death claim aims to make those responsible for the death accountable and compensate you for your losses. While nothing can bring back a love one, we help our clients regain control and show the Defendant that this person mattered.
The deadline for filing a claim can be as short as 180 days depending on who the Defendant is. Usually the deadline, also known as the Statute of Limitations, is longer than that. A claim or lawsuit states how the Defendant was negligent. In addition, the claim makes clear that one of the worst losses imaginable has occurred; a family has been deprived of the love and affection of their family member. Given these points, many wrongful death claims involve the following:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Defective and dangerous products (product liability)
- Drunk and drugged driving
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse or negligence
- Pedestrian accidents
- Work-related injuries
Each of these claims has its own legal and procedural requirements. A Lafayette IN wrongful death lawyer can help you apply our state’s laws to your unique circumstances — helping you understand your rights.
We Can Help You Collect Damages
Depending on the nature of your claim, you may be entitled to compensation. These include, but not limited to:
- Loss of the person’s love and affection
- Your loved one’s medical bills
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost income
- Your family’s therapy and grief counseling
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium (a legal claim for the loss of your spousal relationship)
In short, it’s difficult to think about money and your long-term financial plans immediately after an accident. When you work with a lawyer at the Hall-Justice Law Firm LLC, we will guide you through this difficult process, giving you the emotional support and the space to grieve that you deserve. You focus on rebuilding your life while we focus on the legal details of your claims.
Understanding Damages In Wrongful Death Cases
The far-reaching impact of the passing of a loved one is significant and in some cases, seeking justice may start with the guidance of a Lafayette, IN wrongful death lawyer. At Hall-Justice Law Firm LLC, we recognize the importance of understanding the legal options available in wrongful death cases. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the complexities of damages in Lafayette wrongful death cases, shedding light on the types of compensation families may pursue and the legal considerations that shape these claims.
Types Of Damages
When pursuing a wrongful death claim in Lafayette, families may seek both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages encompass tangible financial losses directly resulting from the death of their loved one. These may include medical expenses incurred prior to death, funeral and burial costs, and the loss of the deceased’s financial contributions to the family, including income and benefits.
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, address the intangible losses experienced by surviving family members. These may include the pain and suffering endured by the deceased prior to death, the loss of companionship and guidance, and the emotional distress suffered by family members as a result of the wrongful death. While non-economic damages are more challenging to quantify, they are equally crucial in acknowledging the profound impact of the loss on the family’s quality of life.
Calculating Damages
Determining the appropriate amount of damages in a wrongful death case requires a careful evaluation of various factors. Economic damages are typically calculated based on concrete financial losses, such as medical bills and lost income, which can be readily quantified. However, non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, require a more nuanced assessment. It will be important to consult with a Lafayette wrongful death lawyer as they have the experience and skills necessary to properly value the damages associated with the incident.
In Lafayette wrongful death cases, courts may consider factors such as the age, health, and life expectancy of the deceased, as well as the nature and severity of their injuries prior to death. Additionally, the court assesses the impact of the loss on surviving family members, taking into account their relationship with the deceased and the emotional toll of the wrongful death.
Legal Considerations
It’s essential to navigate the legal landscape surrounding wrongful death claims in Lafayette with care. There are specific regulations and statutes that dictate the process for filing a wrongful death lawsuit and the types of damages that may be awarded. Additionally, seeking the guidance of experienced wrongful death attorneys can help families understand their rights and navigate the legal process effectively.
Seeking Justice And Compensation
At Hall-Justice Law Firm LLC, we understand the devastating impact that wrongful death can have on families. Lafayette wrongful death lawyers from our team bring both compassion and experience for families who are looking to hold the responsible party accountable and receive fair compensation for their losses. If you’ve lost a loved one due to the negligence or misconduct of another party, we’re here to provide the support and guidance you need during this difficult time. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can assist you in pursuing a wrongful death claim.
Who Can File an Indiana Wrongful Death Claim?
Who is permitted to file a wrongful death claim depends on the situation. Often it is the loved one’s spouse, the mother or father of the children the loved one left behind, or the mother or father of the prematurely taken child.
Before you file a wrongful death claim, the proper legal entity must be created to even start the claim. A wrongful death estate is not the same as a regular estate that is done when someone dies due to natural causes. Sometimes the law on the two overlap, but often the law does not and the differences are important. It is vital that you open the right kind of estate. If you open the wrong kind of estate, you will not be able to obtain the damages that you should from the negligent person. The right estate with the right personal representative will be able to hold the negligent person and their insurance company, to account.
To sum it up, Hall-Justice law firm LLC can help you open the proper kind of estate with the proper personal representative to ensure the best result.
You Need to Act Quickly
Indiana imposes a strict 180 day or two-year statute of limitations on most wrongful death claims. In other words, if you do not file your lawsuit within 180 days or two years of your loved one’s death, you’ll lose your right to compensation. This deadline applies even if a prosecutor files a criminal case against the negligent party.
Wrongful death claims require an extensive investigation and significant preparation before you file a lawsuit. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to act quickly. As time passes, valuable evidence might be destroyed (such as defective car parts and trucking company documents) and witnesses’ memories might fade. A Lafayette IN wrongful death lawyer can help you preserve this information and also protect your rights.
How Can a Lafayette IN Wrongful Death Lawyer Help?
You’re probably experiencing a whirlwind of emotions: grief, fear, anxiety, anger, and frustration. The thought of adding another stress — a wrongful death claim — to your already-overflowing plate might seem overwhelming. However, you don’t have to handle this alone.
Our job at Hall-Justice LLC is to guide you through your legal claims. This involves many steps, including the following:
- Investigating the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death
- Preserving important evidence that supports your claims
- Identifying the negligent parties (defendants) that caused or contributed to your loved one’s death
- Noting the emotional loss to you
- Computing your family’s financial damages
- Filing legal complaints against these parties
- Negotiating with their insurance companies
- Presenting your claims to a judge or jury at trial
Throughout this process, your lawyer should also be a source of emotional support and practical advice. We will help you Get Justice.
PERSONAL INJURY PRACTICE AREAS
CAR ACCIDENTS
Car Accidents
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car crash, you need a Lafayette IN car accident lawyer to help you navigate the personal injury claims process. A car accident can result in serious injuries and major losses. We can help you obtain just compensation for your damages.
TRUCK ACCIDENTS
Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can be devastating, resulting in serious injuries. Since truck accident claims often involve third parties and multiple insurance companies, it’s best to have an experienced Lafayette IN truck accident lawyer by your side to help you navigate the complex claims process.
MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
Motorcycle Accident
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle crash, you need a Lafayette IN motorcycle accident lawyer to help you navigate the claims process.
DOG BITE INJURIES
Dog Bite Injuries
Statistically, most dog bite victims are children. Whether you are an adult or a child the emotional, physical, and financial impact of a dog bite can be significant. If you or a loved one has been wounded by a dog, it’s important to know your legal rights.
SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS
Slip and Fall Accidents
An unexpected accident on a slippery floor, broken sidewalk, or icy parking lot can result in serious injuries. These injuries may also give rise to significant medical bills and the need for years of physical therapy or other medical treatment.
INJURY BY POLICE
Personal injury by police in Indiana
What happens if an innocent person is injured by police?
Schedule an Appointment with a Lafayette IN Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you’re ready to schedule a no-risk, free consultation with a Lafayette IN wrongful death lawyer, contact the Hall-Justice Law Firm LLC. Since 1997, we have represented our friends and neighbors in Lafayette during difficult times. In addition to Tippecanoe County, we have also represented families in Benton County, Carroll County, White County, Warren County, Fountain County, and Cass County. We pride ourselves on our aggressive legal strategies, compassionate advice, and commitment to our clients and our community.
Download a copy of Fighting for Justice: Insights from America’s Premier Personal Injury Attorneys featuring Susannah Hall-Justice LLC
The law can seem impossibly complicated sometimes. Most of us don’t know how the law works or how lawyers go about using it. Our experience is limited to what we see on TV shows. We might have heard terms like “personal injury,” “plaintiff,” and “mediation,” but we don’t really know what they mean.