It is heartbreaking to lose a family member due to another party’s negligence or wrongdoing. While no legal remedy can fully account for your loss, a wrongful death lawsuit could help you pursue the compensation you need for financial security during this painful time. Filing a wrongful death lawsuit is a way to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions and obtain a sense of justice.
One of the Best Wrongful Death Lawyers in Hartford
If you’re grieving the loss of a loved one killed due to someone’s negligence or wrongful actions, the wrongful death lawyers at Jainchill & Beckert, LLC can help you seek financial relief for your losses. Our Hartford, CT wrongful death attorneys have more than 55 years of combined legal experience and a proven record of successful outcomes.
While you work through your grief, we can protect your rights and pursue fair compensation for your family. We will handle all the legal work so you can focus on what matters most — mourning and moving forward. Call or contact us for a free consultation.
How Do You Know If You Have a Wrongful Death Case?
After your loved one passes, the easiest way to understand if you have a wrongful death case is by asking whether they could have filed a personal injury claim against the party who harmed them if they had survived. If so, you may have substantial grounds to file a wrongful death claim.
What Do You Have to Prove in a Wrongful Death Case?
What your Hartford wrongful death attorney will have to prove depends in part on the circumstances of your loved one’s death. Most wrongful death claims arise from negligent acts. To prove negligence, you must establish the following elements:
- Duty of care – You must demonstrate that the defendant owed a duty of care to the decedent. For instance, drivers must obey traffic laws, doctors must provide competent medical care, and manufacturers must ensure their products are safe.
- Breach of duty – Next, you must prove the defendant failed to meet their duty of care. Examples include a driver running a red light, a doctor making a surgical error, or a manufacturer producing a defective and dangerous product.
- Causation – The breach of duty must have directly caused the decedent’s death. For example, perhaps a car accident caused by the driver’s negligence resulted in fatal injuries, or a defective product led to a deadly
- Actual losses – The plaintiff must have suffered measurable losses due to the decedent’s death. This includes economic damages like medical expenses, funeral costs, and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages such as loss of companionship and emotional suffering.
Establishing these elements requires comprehensive evidence and expert testimony to demonstrate the defendant’s liability and the impact of the decedent’s death on your family.
How Long Can It Take to Resolve a Wrongful Death Claim?
The timeframe for a wrongful death lawsuit varies based on several factors. If the reason for the death is clear and the responsible party admits fault, the case may be resolved more quickly. However, defendants often try defensive strategies, such as claiming shared responsibility or arguing the victim contributed to their own death. Court proceedings may be necessary, extending the resolution time.
Most wrongful death cases are settled out of court because it benefits all parties. Settlements offer several advantages:
- Families receive compensation sooner.
- Defendants avoid negative publicity.
- Both parties retain some control over the outcome instead of relying on an unpredictable jury.
However, preparing for trial remains essential. Being ready to go to court can provide valuable leverage during settlement negotiations, potentially increasing the damages awarded. Having a Hartford wrongful death lawyer with significant trial experience can be advantageous even if your case settles out of court.
How Do Wrongful Death Claims Work in Connecticut?
A wrongful death claim typically goes through the following process:
- Consultation – You’ll begin by meeting with a Hartford wrongful death attorney who will assess your claim and determine its viability.
- Investigation – The attorney will thoroughly investigate your claim, gathering evidence like medical records, witness statements, and expert opinions relevant to Connecticut laws.
- Filing the claim – Your attorney will file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the deceased’s estate.
- Discovery – Both sides will exchange evidence through depositions, interrogatories, and document requests under Connecticut’s discovery rules.
- Negotiation and settlement – Many cases are settled out of court through negotiations. Your attorney will fight for a fair settlement for the family.
- Filing the lawsuit – If the other side doesn’t offer a fair settlement, your attorney will file a lawsuit within Connecticut’s two-year deadline. Both parties will still have the opportunity to negotiate before the case goes to trial.
- Trial – If the case goes to trial, both sides will present evidence and arguments before a Connecticut judge or jury.
- Verdict and compensation – The court will render a verdict. If the plaintiff wins, the court will award compensation for losses such as medical expenses, funeral costs, lost wages, and emotional suffering.
Why Do You Need a Wrongful Death Lawyer?
You need a wrongful death lawyer to manage the legal process involved in pursuing a claim for the compensation you deserve. An experienced attorney gathers evidence, negotiates with insurance companies, and presents a strong case in court. They understand Connecticut’s wrongful death laws and work to seek money for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost income, and emotional suffering. With their support, you can focus on healing while they handle the legal challenges and fight for justice for your loved one.
Why Hire Our Hartford Wrongful Death Lawyers?
Choosing Jainchill & Beckert, LLC for your wrongful death case means securing the legal representation of a dedicated, experienced team that’s committed to achieving justice for your loved one and your family. We understand the profound impact a wrongful death has on families and approach each case with the urgency, compassion, and thoroughness it deserves. Our proven track record and client testimonials highlight our commitment to securing favorable outcomes efficiently.
We prepare legal strategies tailored to each client’s unique situation and take pride in maintaining open and transparent communication throughout the legal process. Our firm’s dedication to client satisfaction is reflected in our numerous awards and positive client reviews, demonstrating our ability to handle even the most complex cases with professionalism and care.
Additionally, our extensive familiarity with Connecticut law and our reputation for providing aggressive representation in court ensure your case is in capable hands. You can trust us to be your steadfast advocates during this challenging time.
How Is Wrongful Death Legally Defined in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, a wrongful death occurs when someone dies and another individual or entity is at fault. The state’s wrongful death statute allows the executor or administrator of a deceased person’s estate to take legal action against the responsible party and demand compensation for surviving family members. Survivors may be compensated for medical services, funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial contributions, and loss of consortium and companionship.
Various accidents and intentional acts of wrongdoing can cause wrongful death, including:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Defective products
- Construction accidents
- Criminal acts
Who Is Allowed to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Connecticut?
Under Connecticut law, only the administrator or executor of the deceased’s estate may file a wrongful death claim. Surviving family members cannot directly file a wrongful death claim unless the decedent named a family member to serve as their estate’s administrator. If the deceased person did not have a will or did not appoint an administrator or executor, the court may do so. Usually, appointees are the victim’s surviving spouse, children, or someone closely related to them. A Hartford wrongful death lawyer can help with this process.
What Damages Are Available Through a Connecticut Wrongful Death Claim?
A Hartford wrongful death lawyer can help you pursue compensation for various losses, including money for:
- The cost of reasonably necessary medical, hospital, and nursing services
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of future wages and benefits the decedent would have earned had they survived
- Medical expenses incurred due to the decedent’s fatal injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium, or loss of companionship, society, and affection
- Loss of enjoyment of life
When Are Double and Triple Damages Available?
In some circumstances, surviving family members can seek double or triple damages in a wrongful death suit. Connecticut law allows a judge or jury to award double or treble damages if the evidence shows the defendant deliberately or recklessly committed specific traffic offenses and their actions were a substantial factor in causing the fatal injuries.
How Is Compensation Distributed in a Connecticut Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Because the administrator or executor of the decedent’s estate files a wrongful death claim, any compensation awarded goes to the estate. The money is then disbursed to the decedent’s heirs according to the terms of their will or estate plan. Contact a Hartford wrongful death attorney if you have questions about your eligibility for wrongful death compensation.
Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Wrongful Death Case in Connecticut?
Connecticut’s wrongful death statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of death and no more than five years from the date of the act that eventually led to the death to file suit.
Lawsuits against government agencies may have shorter deadlines and notification procedures. Speak with Hartford wrongful death lawyers at Jainchill & Beckert immediately to learn how the statute of limitations applies to your case. Failure to file on time could prevent you from receiving any compensation for your loss.
Contact a Hartford Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
While nothing can erase the pain of losing a loved one, a wrongful death lawsuit could help you pursue compensation and a measure of closure. Our Hartford wrongful death lawyers combine compassionate client service with fierce advocacy to deliver results that count. Call the personal injury attorneys in Hartford at Jainchill & Beckert, LLC today or visit our contact page for a free consultation.
