Death Caused By Negligent Behavior: What You Need To Know Before Taking Legal Action

The law allows you to sue a person or institution whose negligence led to the untimely death of your relative. However, these claims are regulated by complex laws that might be challenging to understand. Therefore, you should consider consulting a personal injury law attorney for advice before taking any legal action. You can ask them the following essential questions before they take over your lawsuit.

Who Has a Right to Sue?

The law only allows a few parties to file wrongful death claims, including close relatives of the deceased person, such as spouses, children, parents, and financial dependents. However, some states also allow extended family members or other legal dependents to bring lawsuits. As such, you may also have a right to sue if you were engaged to the person who lost their life. Or you were expecting to become their fiancée or spouse before the untimely death. In addition, you can sue a healthcare provider if their negligent behavior led to you losing your child during delivery. 

A dependent or beneficiary below the legal age of 18 years may also file a lawsuit. However, the court will require their guardian to represent them in court. A legal advisor can help determine whether you're entitled to bring a claim under state laws. They will then file the lawsuit for you to enable your family to get justice and the right settlement for your losses.

When Do You Have a Right to Sue? 

You may have the right to sue parties for death in numerous instances. For example, you can take legal action when your relative dies in a vehicle crash caused by someone else's mistake. In addition, you can file a case when your close family member dies after using a faulty commodity. The same applies when they lose their life while undergoing hospital treatment or drown after someone else's negligence. Further, you can sue a person who killed your relative in a criminal act. In such a case, the wrongdoer will face criminal charges as well as murder or manslaughter charges.

If you believe your loved one lost their life because of someone else's actions, you need to speak to a legal advisor. A personal injury attorney can answer all your questions, explain your case's value, and help you navigate the complex legal process. They will represent you in the court of law and ensure that you get the justice that you deserve.