Mercer County Wrongful Death Lawyer

Losing a family member is one of the most devastating experiences a family can face. When that death is due to someone else’s negligence, it can be even more difficult to deal with. In the wake of a wrongful death, family members are often left with medical bills, funeral expenses, and a loss of income. While there is no amount of money that can make up for the loss of a life, a wrongful death lawsuit can provide some compensation for these financial matters.

If you have lost a loved one and believe someone else is to blame for their death, an experienced attorney could help you with your claim. A Mercer County wrongful death lawyer could investigate the circumstances surrounding the death and fight to get you and your family the compensation you may be entitled to.

Types of Wrongful Death Claims

Some of the most common types of wrongful death claims include:

People accused of violent crimes are tried in criminal court, but a lawsuit may also be filed in civil court through a personal injury claim. These lawsuits can happen before, during, or after a criminal trial has taken place, and while the criminal trial will focus on punishing the individual that committed the crime, the civil case will focus on providing compensation to the surviving family members. Consult with a Mercer County wrongful death lawyer to learn more about the different types of claims a person can make.

What Types of Compensation Available in a Wrongful Death Claim?

Financial compensation also referred to as damages, may be provided to surviving family members if it is found that a wrongful death was due to someone else’s negligence.

Compensation sought may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, care, and guidance, and loss of value of household services such as cleaning and childcare. Current or past expenses the family had to pay for such as medical expenses, funeral expenses, and burial expenses may also be written into the personal injury claim as compensation being sought.

A dedicated team of Mercer County wrongful death lawyers may recommend filing a separate claim to recover damages for negligent infliction of emotional distress as well. This is most often relevant when a family member was with the descendant at their time of death and suffered additional emotional distress as a result of that experience.

Eligibility to File a Mercer County Wrongful Death Claim

Unlike many other states, New Jersey allows a larger number of people to potentially file a wrongful death claim. In New Jersey, parents, children, siblings, and grandparents may all file a wrongful death claim on behalf of a deceased family member. In addition, any other person who can prove they were actually dependent on the deceased person may file as well.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims?

In New Jersey, there is a statute of limitations on all personal injury claims. This is the amount of time a person has to file their claim before they will no longer be able to recover damages. In most New Jersey personal injury claims, the statute of limitations is two years. Therefore, anyone who wishes to file a wrongful death claim must do so two years from the date of death. This time limit may be shortened in certain circumstances.

Speak with a Mercer County Wrongful Death Attorney Today

If you have lost a loved one, there may be compensation available, particularly if the death was due to someone else’s negligence. A qualified Mercer County wrongful death lawyer could help you pursue it, and in doing so lighten some of the financial burdens on your shoulders after your loved one’s death.