Wrongful Death Lawyer Phoenix, AZ
When you lose a loved one, you may need the help of a wrongful death lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona. Losing a loved one can be a tragic and stressful time for any family. But when that death is the result of another party’s negligent or reckless behavior, the grief is often even more amplified. Not only are survivors left with the huge emotional loss, but they are also often left with overwhelming financial losses caused by the victim’s death. In these cases, Arizona law allows survivors to pursue wrongful death claims against the person who is responsible for the accident or incident that killed the victim.
At the Law Office of Paul Englander, PLC, our wrongful death lawyers have been advocating for victims and their families for more than 40 years in successfully obtaining the financial compensation our clients deserve for the losses they suffered.
Types of Wrongful Death Claim
There are different types of fatal accidents or incidents which may qualify for wrongful death claims. These include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian/Bicycle accidents
- Medical error or malpractice
- Premises liability
- Work-related injury or illness
- Premises liability
- Defective or dangerous product
There are some important factors you should know regarding a Phoenix, AZ wrongful death claim. The first is which survivors are able to pursue such an action. The following survivors, in order, may file a wrongful death claim:
- Spouse
- Children (or grandchildren if adult child is no longer living)
- Parents (if the victim was not married or had no children)
- Siblings (if the victim was not married, had no children, and parents are both deceased)
- Any other party who can show they were emotionally and financially dependent on the victim
- The estate of the victim, through a representative, may also file a wrongful death claim. Any money awarded would be divided among the survivors.
There are a number of types of losses that survivors can include in the claim, such as:
- Costs for any medical care the victim received before he or she passed
- Loss of income and benefits the victim would have provided for survivors
- Costs for the loss of care the victim provided (i.e. stay-at-home parent for small children)
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Pain and suffering the victim may have endured from the injuries before their death
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of parental guidance
- Loss of consortium
In some cases, such as a drunk driving accident or intentional death, the survivors may also pursue punitive damages against the at-fault party. Punitive damages serve two purposes. The first is to punish the at-fault party for their actions. The second is to send a message to society that this type of behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
Let a Wrongful Death Lawyer Phoenix, Arizona Clients Trust Help
At the Law Office of Paul Englander, PLC, we understand that no amount of compensation will ever make up for the death of your loved one. But we also understand that a wrongful death lawsuit is often the only way survivors have of obtaining any kind of justice for their death.
Call a wrongful death lawyer in Phoenix, AZ today for a free consultation and to find out how we may be able to help.
Common Questions Regarding Wrongful Death Cases
Losing a loved one can be incredibly devastating. Much of the time, the person who has passed away, has done so unexpectedly. Your life will unfortunately never be the same again. It can be difficult to know how best to move forward following such a loss. A Phoenix, AZ wrongful death lawyer has the ability to guide you through the process by gathering information and determining whether you have the ability to take legal action against the responsible party. We know that chances are you will be left with a number of questions from a professional, here are some commonly asked questions you may have regarding wrongful death:
What is wrongful death case?
Loved ones may have the ability to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit in the event that a person dies as the result of another person’s negligence or intentional acts. Much of the time, personal injury accidents that result in a fatality has the ability to result in the need for taking action with a wrongful death lawsuit. There are a number of ways that wrongful death case may occur, for example:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Truck accidents
Those who have lost a loved one in an accident may experience significant emotional trauma and financial loss. This is a primary reason to take action in the form of a wrongful death claim.
What are signs that you may want to contact a Phoenix, AZ wrongful death lawyer to discuss your case?
Much of the time, people are largely unfamiliar with how wrongful death cases work. Because of this, it may be unclear as to how best to move forward. Working with a Phoenix, AZ wrongful death lawyer can assist people by carefully reviewing the details surrounding the accident and assisting families in determining whether legal action is in your best interest.
Why would someone pursue a wrongful death case for someone who has passed?
The idea of taking action against a negligent party can feel daunting. For some, the idea of moving forward may seem challenging. However, there are a number of reasons to choose moving forward with a wrongful death claim, such as:
- Expenses that occurred after your loved one was injured until the day of their passing, this may include:
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- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Funeral expenses
- Lost companionship
- Lost parental relationship
It’s important to be aware that despite your hesitation, the loss of a loved one has likely impacted you and your family in a number of ways. For the help you need, contact a wrongful death lawyer in Phoenix, AZ as soon as possible.
Who can pursue a wrongful death case?
In order to pursue a wrongful death claim in the form of an insurance claim or lawsuit, the designated beneficiary needs to take action. Usually the designated beneficiary is someone who was appointed with the person’s estate plan or by the courts. Essentially this means that the person’s estate is really the only party that can pursue wrongful death on behalf of loved ones.
Contact a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Phoenix, AZ
To have someone you love pass away at the hands of a person who has been careless and negligent, they may ultimately be held at fault for the accident, and the damages that have been suffered. During such a trying time, where family is likely to feel rife with emotions, contact a wrongful death lawyer Phoenix, AZ families trust from the Law Office of Paul Englander, PLC today. With the experience and guidance of a lawyer, you can have a clear understanding of whether you can move forward with your case and how to initiate the process.