Losing a loved one is always painful, but if they die as a result of someone’s negligent actions, you need justice. Your world is upside down, and you have the right to hold the wrongdoer accountable. When a family member is stolen away from you, you need the help of a Methuen wrongful death lawyer.
Dibella Law Offices, P.C., proudly serves New Hampshire and Massachusetts by providing compassionate and experienced legal representation. Wrongful death cases are a form of personal injury law, and our team has over two decades of background managing cases like yours. We handle the paperwork and negotiation so you can focus on grieving. Schedule a free consultation with a Methuen personal injury lawyer today.
How Wrongful Death Claims Work
While most personal injury attorneys handle wrongful death claims, these cases differ just slightly because the lawsuit is brought on behalf of the victim rather than by them. These claims are intended to recover compensation for all the injuries and damages the deceased suffered from the negligent actions, which they could have done if they lived.
In Massachusetts, only certain individuals can bring the claim, including spouses, children (natural or adopted), parents (natural or adopted), siblings, half-siblings), grandparents, and step-grandparents. A wrongful death claim can be filed in any of the following situations:
- The defendant was negligent: When the victim dies because another person was careless, reckless, or negligent, you have grounds for wrongful death. This can include car accidents, unsafe property conditions, and even medical malpractice.
- The defendant caused intentional harm: When your loved one dies as a result of an intentional act, you likely have a wrongful death claim. This can include crimes such as assault, murder, or even arson.
- The defendant owes strict liability: Product manufacturers owe their consumers a duty of care to make, sell, and distribute safe products with adequate warnings. If they fail and a product malfunction results in death, the surviving family has the right to file a wrongful death claim.
Your Methuen wrongful death attorney can examine the details of your loved one’s death to help you determine who is responsible and which of these circumstances apply to your case. They will then move forward with a thorough investigation, evidence collection, and claim preparation so you can quickly secure the compensation you are entitled to receive.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death in Massachusetts
It is important that you act right away after a wrongful death. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts only allows a three-year statute of limitations for filing your claim. Because a death often requires an autopsy and perhaps a police investigation, the sooner you contact us, the longer your wrongful death attorney in Methuen, MA, has to build a strong case.
If you wait too long, your case will be denied by the courts. You will lose your chance to seek compensation forever, and your family will not have the chance to get justice. When you hire the team at DiBella Law Offices, P.C., we will work efficiently to achieve the best possible outcome for you.
Give us a call today to discover how we can assist you.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death
Wrongful death happens in any situation where the person was owed a duty of care by another party, yet that party failed to uphold their duty. Whenever international or negligent behavior causes someone to lose their life, you have the right, as a survivor, to seek financial relief.
Intentional Harm
Domestic violence, kidnapping, assault, robbery, and auto theft can escalate quickly and result in your loved one’s death. The defendant may face criminal charges, but this does nothing for your financial damages and grief. You can still file a civil lawsuit to hold them accountable for your losses.
Medical Malpractice
Doctors and other healthcare providers are held to the highest standards and perform to the best of their ability in every situation. When they ignore symptoms, fail to order appropriate tests or treatment, or dismiss a patient’s concerns, they may commit medical malpractice. When the patient passes away, they can be held liable in a wrongful death case.
Negligence Acts
Most wrongful death claims arise when a person fails to follow the law or behaves carelessly. Negligence can include both actions and inactions that lead to the harm of another person. Your wrongful death lawyer in Methuen, MA, must prove that negligence occurred and that the death was a direct cause of the defendant’s negligence.
Common negligent situations that can lead to death include:
- Animal attacks
- Car accidents
- Construction accidents
- Defective products
- Dog bites
- Failure to correct or clean a hazard inside a commercial property
- Failure to warn customers about a hazard on a commercial property
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian
- Slip and fall accidents
- Truck accidents
How DiBella Law Offices Can Help Your Wrongful Death Claim
After your free case review, our team will go to work, determining who is at fault, building a robust claim, and calculating the compensation you deserve. We tackle all the legal burdens so you and your family can grieve and concentrate on getting your lives back together. At Dibella Law offices, our attorneys are dedicated to seeking justice on your behalf.
For us, every case is personal. If the deceased was the family breadwinner, you are likely facing an uncertain financial future. While we know that no amount of money can replace the love and support of your family member, a fair and appropriate settlement can make it easier to move forward without them. Our attorneys work to secure the maximum compensation available from all liable parties.
Securing Damages in a Wrongful Death Suit
Our attorneys will gather receipts, records, and other evidence to compile an estimate of the economic and non-economic damages inflicted by the death. We help you consider damages you may have overlooked, including any medical expenses, lost income, or pain and suffering your loved one had before they passed.
Common damages we secure for our clients include:
- Burial costs
- Emotional distress
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of comfort and guidance for children
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of inheritance
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Mental anguish
While we prepare for the courtroom from the first day, we always work to negotiate a satisfactory settlement with the defendant to avoid the cost and time needed for a trial. If they do not meet our demands, we will move your case to court and convince the judge and jury that you deserve damages. Your lawyer will apply their skill as a litigator to make the at-fault party pay.
We've offered crucial support and guidance to individuals who have suffered injuries, ensuring their financial and emotional well-being.
Speak with a Metheun Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
Facing a death is never easy, and bringing those responsible to justice can be an overwhelming burden. Instead of managing this on your own, turn to an accomplished Metheun wrongful death lawyer from our firm.
At DiBella Law Offices, P.C., we understand and can interpret Massachusetts law to your advantage. Our team is caring for you but tough on those who hurt your family. We offer contingency fee payment plans, so you do not pay unless we win a settlement for you. You can also begin by scheduling a free consultation with us today.
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