Experienced Salt Lake City Wrongful Death Lawyer
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When you or a loved one suffers an injury or wrongful death, you need a lawyer who knows the laws inside out and will fight for you. Our legal team will provide quality representation for your case.
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What is a Wrongful Death?
The death of a loved one is always devastating. And that pain can be even worse when you know the accident resulted from someone’s negligence.
If such is your case, you can seek compensation under the laws of Salt Lake City. Compensation can’t bring your family member back, but it may ease some of your troubles in a difficult time.
Utah state laws define wrongful death as a death caused by a “wrongful act or neglect.” If the decedent could have filed a personal injury claim had they lived, their death is “wrongful.”
Our firm can help you file a Utah wrongful death lawsuit. We can help you sue hospitals, police, nursing homes, doctors, etc.
You might have a case if your loved one was killed in an accident or by someone’s negligence or wrongdoing. Contact us now if you need the services of a Salt Lake City wrongful death lawyer.
How Wrongful Deaths Occur
When someone dies because of someone else’s negligence, carelessness, or willful action, it is called a wrongful death. Often, the deceased person’s family can file a wrongful death claim.
Common causes of most wrongful death cases are listed below.
Car Accident
In Salt Lake City and the U.S., car accidents are the leading causes of wrongful death. Over 38,000 Americans die in car accidents. These are typically caused by distracted, drunk, aggressive, or impaired drivers, as well as by road construction.
Pedestrian Accidents
With cars and trucks constantly on the road, pedestrian accidents are bound to happen. If a pedestrian is struck by a car, they could die from the injuries. These pedestrian accidents can be caused by the same factors that cause car accidents.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice can also lead to wrongful death. A doctor must ensure patients receive proper treatment, diagnosis, and prescriptions. Even small prescription, diagnosis, or treatment errors can cause wrongful death.
If you believe a hospital or doctor provided substandard care that led to someone’s death, you can file a wrongful death suit against them.
Common medical situations that may lead to wrongful death claims include the following:
- Miscarriage
- Birth injuries
- Maltreatment or neglect
- Device malfunction
- Wrong medication or diagnosis
- Anesthesia and surgical mistakes
It is natural to trust the people and institutions that provide standard healthcare in Salt Lake City, UT. So, losing a family member due to a doctor’s error can be especially shocking and traumatic.
Plane Crash
Plane crashes are another cause of wrongful death. If negligence can be proven, for instance, if the plane crash was due to faulty parts, poor design, or pilot error, it may be a wrongful death case.
However, an airplane wrongful death suit can be complicated. This is because the negligent party is not always easily apparent in these cases.
Victims’ families often try to sue airlines to get their wrongful death settlement. However, the airlines are only liable if the accident happens due to a negligent pilot. On the other hand, the airline may not be responsible if the accident was due to a defective part of the aircraft. In this case, the manufacturer takes the blame.
Workplace Accident
Bad equipment, improper training, unsafe environments, fires, and explosions can cause wrongful death in work environments. Chemical exposure and falling debris can also cause wrongful death. When this happens, family members can sue the business owner for wrongful death damages.
In some cases, the at-fault party is not always obvious. For instance, if your loved one died in a fall from heights, you may not know whether to sue their employer or the equipment manufacturer.
In these cases, it is best to speak with an experienced wrongful death attorney to help you identify the at-fault party and get the compensation you deserve.
Product Liability
If defective products cause wrongful death, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and retailers are liable. Claim types include:
- Wrong product design
- Defective production
- Lack of defect warnings
Nursing Home Negligence
Nursing home negligence can also cause wrongful death. If a patient dies due to a caregiver’s negligence, the nursing home and the negligent caregiver may be liable.
How to Find a Wrongful Death Attorney in Salt Lake City
The process of filing a wrongful death claim can be complicated. You will likely need an experienced attorney to help you navigate the legal system and get the compensation you deserve.
When choosing a wrongful death attorney, it is essential to consider the following factors:
Experience
You should choose an experienced wrongful death attorney who has a proven track record of success. The lawyer should also have experience handling cases similar to yours and be familiar with the laws in your state.
To learn more about an attorney’s experience, you can read online reviews, check their website, or ask them for references. You can also ask the attorney how many cases they have handled and what the outcome of those cases was.
Communication
Your attorney should be readily available and easy to communicate with. They should also be clear and concise in their explanations.
You should feel free to ask your attorney any questions about your case. If you do not understand something, the attorney should be able to explain it to you in a way you can understand.
Fees
You should also ask the attorney about their fees before you hire them. Many attorneys charge hourly rates, while others charge a contingency fee.
A contingency fee means the attorney will only get paid if they win your case. If they do not win, you will not owe them anything.
Location
The office location of the attorney is also something you should consider. Choosing an attorney who is conveniently located and easy to get in touch with is crucial. You can learn more about an attorney’s location by visiting their website or calling their office.
What Does a Wrongful Death Attorney Do?
No financial compensation can undo the trauma of losing a loved one. However, seeking a fair settlement or judgment can allow surviving dependents and family members to recover and heal from their loss.
Salt Lake City wrongful death attorneys strive to help their clients get maximum compensation for the deaths of their loved ones.
Punitive damages and compensatory damages are the two main types of damages in wrongful death cases.
Punitive damages punish the wrongdoer, while compensatory damages are intended to compensate eligible surviving family members for specific losses incurred due to their loved one’s death.
Compensatory damages in wrongful death cases in Salt Lake City may include:
- Lost income, including expected future wages
- Medical bills associated with the victim’s final treatment/care
- Reasonable funeral expenses and burial costs
- Lost love, affection, guidance, counsel, and advice
- Lost inheritance due to victim’s death
- Financial support and services provided by the decedent
- Suffering and pain endured by the decedent before death
Who Can File Wrongful Death Lawsuits?
Utah law states that the decedent’s executor must file the wrongful death claim or lawsuit. An executor in Salt Lake City is the heir or personal representative of the decedent’s family. The law also allows the legal guardian of adults under guardianship to bring claims.
By law, damages in Utah wrongful death claims are sought on behalf of:
The widow
Surviving biological and adopted children
Biological or adoptive surviving parents
Minor stepchildren; if they are dependents
If none of these people exist, other blood relatives/family members who were financially dependent on the decedent can seek justice or damages.
When is it Too Late to Visit Lawyers for Wrongful Death Claim?
Utah’s wrongful death statute of limitations is stricter than some other states. In Salt Lake City, the personal representative of the decedent’s estate has only two years from the victim’s death to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
In cases where a government entity is responsible for the wrongful death claim, the wrongful death statute of limitations is one year.
Furthermore, the more time your Salt Lake City attorney has to gather evidence and build your wrongful death claim, the stronger it will be. That is because evidence tends to get weaker with time.
As time passes, people will have to clear the accident scenes, and they may destroy evidence. Witnesses may even change their address and become hard to find. Even those you can reach may forget what happened over time.
It can be beneficial to explore your options with a Salt Lake City wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible.
Salt Lake City Wrongful Death Law Firm
Our Utah wrongful death lawyers will fight for full and fair compensation if someone else’s negligence caused your loved one’s death.
You may be entitled to financial compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, loss of companionship, and more in a wrongful death lawsuit.
We don’t get paid unless you win because we do not want cost to be a barrier for our clients.
Our system ensures our attorneys focus on each wrongful death claim. Our wrongful death lawyers aren’t intimidated by opposition and know when to settle. Our team includes nurses, attorneys, and paralegals, giving us an advantage in research and case application.
Call us today to get started on your case.
