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Losing a loved one to the wrongful acts of another person can have devastating effect on the surviving family members. When you experience this loss, you may be owed financial compensation from the negligent party. An unexpected death caused by a person’s negligence could entitle the surviving family members to monetary damages to help compensate for the loss of income, loss of support, and the grief everyone has endured.
A Ponchatoula wrongful death lawyer could help you file a legal action based on your unique case and circumstances. Your odds of success increase when you work with a compassionate personal injury attorney.
While natural deaths occur all the time outside of anyone’s control, other situations involve a person’s death caused by someone else’s negligent or reckless actions. These instances are where a wrongful death lawsuit may be appropriate. A person who commits a negligent act that leads to death should be financially liable to the decedent’s surviving family members.
These cases require evidence of the defendant’s wrongdoing, which can be collected through an analysis of the plaintiff’s case. A Ponchatoula wrongful death attorney could investigate the cause of death, interview witnesses, read law enforcement and medical reports, and review any other information that may be relevant to proving what caused the decedent’s passing.
The law also lists the deadline by which a wrongful death case must be filed. Cases must be filed within one year of the date the decedent passed away. This is a short window of time, so family members are encouraged to contact an attorney right away to avoid losing potential compensation.
If the wrongful death arose from a criminal act of violence as defined by state law, the time limit is extended to two years from the date of the decedent’s death. However, this section will not apply to every case where a crime led to a person’s death.
While any type of negligent behavior could theoretically lead to a loss of life, certain situations are much more likely to produce this outcome. These types of incidents include:
While some types of accidents might have an obvious at-fault party, such as with a truck accident, others might be more complicated when determining who was at fault. A lawyer could take the lead in identifying the liable party.
Louisiana Civil Code § 2315.2 sets forth which family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit after the death of a family member. This includes:
Surviving grandparents, if there are no children, parents, or siblings
This hierarchy of family members can often lead to confusion regarding who must bring legal action and who would receive compensation. An accidental death lawyer in Ponchatoula could manage the legal aspects and keep the lawsuit on track while the family adjusts to their new situation.
A wrongful death action can never fully heal the damage the death of a loved one will cause. However, it might help compensate you and your family for the financial struggles caused by the loss, and provide peace of mind as you rebuild. An experienced Ponchatoula wrongful death lawyer is here to help, so contact one today to learn what steps you can take.
Parker Layrisson Law Firm
