When someone is injured because of another party’s negligence or wrongful action, they usually have the right to seek compensation for their damages by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
When a person dies from injuries caused by another party’s actions, their loved ones have the right to seek compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.
At Wells Trumbull, we understand the devastation a wrongful death can cause. In addition to your grief, you also are faced with funeral expenses and the loss of income that they may have provided.
Our experienced and compassionate wrongful death lawyers understand that no amount of money can compensate you for losing your family member. But we know that seeking justice and compensation can bring a sense of empowerment.
We also know that financial compensation can help ease some of the burdens caused by your loved one’s death.
Our Stanwood personal injury lawyers have over 35 years of experience helping wrongful death clients recover the maximum compensation for their loss. We handle every case with respect and integrity. Let us help you get through this overwhelming time.
Call us at (360) 322-1477 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation. We will listen to you, answer your questions, explain your rights, and help you move forward to seek the justice and compensation you are entitled to.
Proof Needed in Wrongful Death Actions
To succeed in a wrongful death action, you will need to prove specific legal elements. They are:
- The defendant owed the decedent a duty of care. For example, a driver has a duty of care to drive safely.
- The defendant breached that duty of care by their negligent, reckless, or intentional actions.
- That the defendant’s actions in breaching the duty of care caused the decedent’s death.
- That you suffered damages from the death of your loved one.
These elements may seem straightforward. However, they can be difficult to prove. You need the help of an experienced Stanwood wrongful death attorney with a proven track record of success in wrongful death cases.
You may be wondering how you can prove each element of your case. Much of your proof will be shown by presenting evidence to support your claim.
A dedicated wrongful death attorney will thoroughly investigate the wrongful death accident or incident to determine all possible causes of the accident and all potentially liable parties.
Then, your attorney will begin gathering and preserving important evidence to build your case.
Some types of evidence your attorney may use to prove your wrongful death claim include:
- Physical evidence. Your attorney may use photos or video footage of the circumstances leading up to the wrongful death, such as from an accident scene. Medical records are often used to document the injuries and cause of death which help prove the link between the accident and the cause of death. Autopsy reports can provide further proof of the exact cause of death.
- Expert witness testimony may be used. Medical professionals may provide information on the injuries and causes of death. Accident reconstructionist experts can provide information regarding the events leading to an accident.
- Testimony and documentation from the accident scene can be powerful evidence. The testimony of a person who was present at the scene of the accident can provide a firsthand account of what happened. Video footage from surveillance systems in the area can offer an objective view of the cause of the accident.
- Financial evidence such as pay stubs and tax records can help show the amount of income the deceased contributed to the family members’ care. Economists may provide testimony regarding the future financial impact the loss can have on the family.
An experienced, skillful Stanwood wrongful death attorney will be able to identify and collect the most powerful types of evidence to prove your wrongful death claim.
Contact Wells Trumbull Today
If you have lost a loved one due to the negligence or wrongful action of another party, you may have the right to file a wrongful death action.
Our wrongful death attorneys have a proven track record of recovering maximum compensation for our clients and want to do the same for you.
Call us at (360) 322-1477 or visit our contact page now to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.