If you have a loved one who passed away as the result of a wrongful death in the greater New Orleans area, it is important to understand your rights. While you are trying to determine your first steps, a New Orleans wrongful death lawyer with the Morris Bart Law Firm can discuss your case and the process with a free consultation. Call us at (504) 613-4771 to speak with a member of our team today. Coping with the loss of a loved one is more than enough to handle without worrying about the legal aspects of filing a wrongful death claim. It is important to understand what constitutes a wrongful death and in what instances filing a wrongful death lawsuit is the appropriate measure.
Situations That Lead to Wrongful Death
Wrongful death occurs when a person is killed due to misconduct or negligence by another person. Those who were dependent on, or were a direct beneficiary of that person, may be entitled to financial compensation as a result of that wrongful death. It is also important to know who can collect wrongful death damages in a survival action. The first step in the process of determining a wrongful death lawsuit is identifying the cause. Some of the more common situations for wrongful death are:
- Vehicular Accidents. If the automobile that caused an accident was defective, the automobile manufacturer could be held responsible. In instances where the accident involved commercial shipping trucks, those companies could be held responsible if the employee involved broke regulations, and those violations led to an accident.
- Emergency Room Medical Malpractice. One of the more common wrongful death lawsuits stems from negligence on the part of hospital workers in the emergency room. This can entail misdiagnosis of health conditions, performing errors during surgery, or discharging a patient prematurely.
- Anesthesia Malpractice. If, during the process of performing their duties, an anesthesiologist mistakenly administers a fatal dosage, they could be found legally responsible.
There are other situations that can lead to wrongful death, but these are three of the most common. Whether your situation falls into one of these categories or another one entirely, a call to a New Orleans wrongful death lawyer with the Morris Bart Law Firm at (504) 613-4771 can help you begin the process to obtain the compensation to which you may be entitled.
For a free legal consultation with a Wrongful Death lawyer serving New Orleans, call 800-537-8185
Potential Compensation for Wrongful Death
Each state has ordinances that allow the heirs in a family to file a wrongful death lawsuit if another party’s negligence caused the death of a loved one. There are factors that the courts could take into consideration when they hear a wrongful death lawsuit. Among the damages one can receive could be the salary of the person who has passed away, as well as any potential savings that a person may have accumulated. A wrongful death lawsuit can also include any expenses that were incurred by the surviving heirs. This can include both medical and funeral costs. Damages can also depend on things like the degree to which surviving heirs were financially dependent on the person who passed away. It can even cover the loss of companionship. The team at the Morris Bart Law Firm will work to make sure that your rights are protected. While it can be difficult to think about monetary claims in the wake of losing a loved one, protecting your rights during the legal process is essential. The team at the Morris Bart Law Firm can help.
New Orleans Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me 800-537-8185
A New Orleans Wrongful Death Lawyer May Be Able to Help You
One of the most important aspects of a wrongful death case is ensuring that deadlines are met. Meeting deadlines keeps the case active and prevents it from being jeopardized. There is statute of limitations on wrongful death cases. In the state of Louisiana, the statute of limitations on wrongful death cases is approximately one year. This means that in most cases the wrongful death lawsuit needs to be filed within that time frame in order to recover damages. While it may be assumed that the clock for this limitation begins immediately at death, that isn’t necessarily the case. The clock on the statute of limitations can be reset by the discovery of new pieces of relevant information. This may include:
- Someone making a deliberate effort to conceal important information about the cause of death.
- The use of products that were found to be defective.
- If the death is ruled to be from natural causes, but evidence of medical malpractice comes to light.
Understanding your rights in complicated legal matters like these can be difficult. The team at the Morris Bart Law Firm can assist you throughout the process. Most importantly, they will meet the necessary deadlines to ensure that your case stays active.
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Call a New Orleans Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
If a loved one has passed away due to the negligence of another party, a wrongful death claim could help you. Our team can help you determine whether or not pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit is something you should consider. We will work to provide a guiding hand throughout the process, explaining your legal rights throughout. Don’t go it alone. Call a New Orleans wrongful death lawyer at the Morris Bart Law Firm today at (504) 613-4771 to schedule your free consultation.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
