Getting Through a Wrongful Death

Life after a loved one passes on is hard. This is even truer if the death occurred because of someone’s negligence. This is known as wrongful death. Deal with these financial and mental ramifications correctly, so that the situation doesn’t spiral out of control. 

Find a Personal Representative

Since the family member who passed on no longer is able to make decisions, you need to find a personal representative. This is someone who is appointed by the court to handle all legal matters regarding the wrongful death.

There are some stipulations regarding who can be a personal representative. The person must be at least 19 years of age. They can be the spouse, heir of the family, a creditor of the person who passed on, or someone nominated in the will.

Also, note that more than one person can serve as this representative, if the court allows co-personal representatives. This might be the best approach so that decisions can be weighed between more than one party.

Hire an Attorney

Because a wrongful death involves a lot of legal terms and paperwork, it’s best to hire an attorney to help your family with this process. The sooner you hire an attorney, the quicker you can move on from this stressful situation.

Acting fast is also important because some states enforce statute of limitations, meaning that you only have a certain window for when the lawsuit can be filed. Additionally, an attorney helps you receive compensation for economic and noneconomic damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees.

Losing a loved one is never easy, but you don’t have to bear all this weight on your own with the help of an attorney.