Connecticut Wrongful Death Lawyer

If you’ve lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, we are truly sorry here at the Brill Law Group.  You probably never would’ve imagined you’d one day be looking for a wrongful death lawyer in Connecticut online. 

 

Rest assured, this article will cover everything you need to know about wrongful death claims.

 

Understanding Wrongful Death in Connecticut

Wrongful death cases in Connecticut are heart-wrenching situations that demand careful understanding. If you’ve lost a loved one due to someone else’s actions, it’s essential to grasp the legal concept of wrongful death and your rights during this painful time.

In Connecticut, wrongful death occurs when a person’s death results from another party’s negligence or misconduct. This can happen in various scenarios, including car accidents, medical malpractice, or nursing home negligence. If you suspect your loved one’s death was caused by negligence, consulting a personal injury lawyer can provide clarity on your situation.

To establish a wrongful death claim, you must prove the other party’s negligence. This involves demonstrating:

1. They had a duty of care
2. They breached that duty
3. Their actions directly caused the fatal incident

Collecting evidence and documentation is vital in this process. The Brill Law Group can guide you through understanding grief and provide the necessary legal support to maneuver these complex cases.

If negligence is proven, compensation may be available to cover financial burdens resulting from your loss, including:

• Medical expenses
• Funeral costs
• Lost income
• Loss of companionship

 

Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Claim?

Wrongful death cases are typically brought by the executor or administrator of the deceased person’s estate.

The executor or administrator acts on behalf of the deceased’s survivors, who may include:

1. Immediate family members, such as spouses, children, and parents
2. More distant family members, like siblings or grandparents, in certain circumstances
3. Financial dependents who suffer monetary loss due to the death

It’s important to note that individual family members cannot file wrongful death claims directly in Connecticut. Instead, the estate’s representative must initiate the legal action. 

This process guarantees that the interests of all eligible beneficiaries are represented in the lawsuit. 

 

How a Connecticut Wrongful Death Lawyer Proves Your Case

In Connecticut wrongful death cases, proving negligence is a significant step toward seeking justice for your loved one. To establish negligence, you’ll need to demonstrate that the responsible party failed to exercise reasonable care, directly resulting in the death. 

Proving negligence in wrongful death cases typically involves:

1. Duty of care: Showing the defendant had a responsibility to act with care toward the deceased.
2. Breach of duty: Demonstrating the defendant failed to uphold this duty.
3. Causation: Establishing a direct link between the breach and the death.
4. Damages: Illustrating the losses suffered due to the death.

Examples of negligence in wrongful death cases may include:

• Medical malpractice
• Car accidents
• Workplace safety violations
• Defective products

 

Compensation for Wrongful Death Claims

When seeking compensation for a wrongful death claim in Connecticut, you’ll need to understand the types of damages available and how they’re calculated. 

Wrongful death compensation typically includes economic damages, such as medical expenses and lost income, as well as non-economic damages for pain and suffering. Your wrongful death lawyer can help you maneuver the complex process of determining the appropriate compensation amount, which often involves expert testimony and detailed financial analysis.

Types of Damages Available

Families seeking justice through a Connecticut wrongful death lawsuit often wonder about the types of compensation available. 

When filing a wrongful death claim in Connecticut, you may be eligible for several types of damages:

1. Economic damages:
   • Medical expenses incurred before death
   • Funeral and burial costs
   • Lost wages and future earnings
2. Non-economic damages:
   • Pain and suffering of the deceased before death
   • Loss of companionship and consortium
   • Emotional distress experienced by surviving family members
   • Compensation for the death itself
3. Punitive damages:
   • In cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct

 

Connecticut’s Wrongful Death Laws

Connecticut’s wrongful death laws provide a framework for seeking justice and compensation after losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence. These laws are designed to help families recover damages and hold responsible parties accountable. 

Key aspects of Connecticut’s wrongful death laws include:

1. Statute of limitations: You have two years from the date of death to file a claim and no longer than five years from the date of the negligence.
2. Eligible parties: Only the executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate can file a lawsuit.
3. Recoverable damages: You may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Funeral and burial costs
• Lost wages and future earnings
• Loss of companionship and support

Connecticut wrongful death laws allow for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover tangible losses, while non-economic damages address emotional suffering and loss of quality of life. It is important to recognize that Connecticut doesn’t cap wrongful death compensation, allowing for fair recovery based on the specific circumstances of each case.

Understanding these laws can be challenging, but a knowledgeable Connecticut personal injury attorney from the Brill Law Group can help you understand the legal process and pursue the compensation you deserve.

 

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Connecticut

While each case is unique, certain scenarios frequently lead to wrongful death claims. Let’s examine some of the most prevalent causes, including car accidents, medical malpractice, and nursing home abuse, to provide insight into situations that may warrant consultation with a Connecticut wrongful death lawyer.

Car Accidents

Car accidents stand out as a leading cause of wrongful death cases in Connecticut.  This includes truck accidents and motorcycle accidents.  As a Connecticut wrongful death attorney, the Brill Law Group often encounters grieving families seeking justice after losing a loved one in a tragic collision. 

These incidents can occur due to various factors, including distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence.

 

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice is another significant factor in Connecticut wrongful death cases. When healthcare providers fail to meet the accepted standard of care, resulting in a patient’s death, it may constitute medical negligence.

Common forms of medical malpractice that can lead to wrongful death include:

1. Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of a heart attack, stroke, infection, or bleed
2. Surgical errors
3. Medication mistakes
4. Anesthesia errors
5. Birth injuries

If you’ve lost a loved one due to suspected medical negligence, it’s essential to understand your patient rights and legal options. Medical malpractice cases are often challenging to prove, requiring extensive evidence and specialist testimony. A personal injury lawyer can help you:

• Gather medical records and documentation
• Consult with medical professionals
• Determine liability
• Calculate damages
• steer through the legal process

Nursing Home Negligence

When nursing home facilities neglect their patient’s medical needs, wrongful deaths can occur.  Deaths at nursing homes are caused by nursing home neglect in the following scenarios:

• Undiagnosed infections
• Falls that result in internal bleeding or intracranial hemorrhage
• Malnutrition or dehydration
• Medication errors

 

Damages a Connecticut Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Recover

Families seeking justice through a Connecticut wrongful death lawsuit often wonder about the types of damages they can pursue. Understanding the compensation factors and emotional impact can help you progress through this difficult process. When filing a  Connecticut wrongful death claim, you may be eligible for various forms of damages, including:

1. Economic damages: These cover tangible financial losses, such as medical expenses, funeral costs, and lost income the deceased would have earned.
2. Non-economic damages: These address intangible losses, like pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and emotional distress experienced by surviving family members.
3. Punitive damages: In cases of extreme negligence or intentional harm, the court may award additional damages to punish the responsible party.
4. Loss of consortium: This compensates for the loss of marital benefits, including companionship and intimacy.

A Connecticut personal injury lawyer from Brill Law Group can help you understand which damages apply to your specific case. They’ll work to guarantee you receive fair compensation for your loss, considering both immediate and long-term impacts. Remember, each wrongful death case in Connecticut is unique, and the damages awarded will depend on various factors specific to your situation.

What are the Connecticut Statute of Limitations

In Connecticut, wrongful death laws stipulate a specific timeframe, called the statute of limitations, within which you must file your claim:

1. Generally, you have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
2. If the death resulted from medical malpractice, you might have up to three years from the date of the negligent act or omission if it wasn’t immediately discovered
3. In no event can you bring a wrongful death more than 5 years after the negligent act.  So if a negligent procedure rendered someone in a coma for 6 years before their passing, the claim would be barred.

Failing to file within these time limits can result in losing your right to seek wrongful death compensation in Connecticut. 

 

How to Choose a Connecticut Wrongful Death Attorney?

When dealing with a Connecticut wrongful death case, selecting the right attorney can make all the difference. Your choice of legal representation can greatly impact the outcome of your case and the compensation your family may receive. Here are some key factors to take into account when choosing a wrongful death attorney from the Brill Law Group:

1. Experience: Our team has a proven track record in handling wrongful death cases in Connecticut.
2. Communication: Our team communicates clearly and keeps you informed throughout the process.
3. Compassion: Our team comprehends the emotional toll of your loss and treats you with empathy.
4. Attorney fees: We discuss fee structures upfront, including contingency fees and potential out-of-pocket expenses.

At Brill Law Group, we recognize the importance of finding the right legal representation during this difficult time. Our team is committed to providing compassionate, professional guidance throughout your Connecticut wrongful death case. We’ll work tirelessly to pursue justice for your loved one and secure the compensation your family deserves.