Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Connecticut?

Losing someone you love is tragic. However, when someone’s negligence caused your loved one’s death, and it could have been prevented, it is even harder to accept.

While nothing can make up for your loss, filing a wrongful death lawsuit may provide a sense of justice and give you some financial relief from the monetary losses you experienced due to their death.

At Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, we understand the impact of an untimely death and represent the families of those deceased individuals. Our experienced personal injury lawyers can help you secure the compensation you deserve for the loss and pain you have endured.

What Qualifies as a Wrongful Death?

In Connecticut, a wrongful death claim is filed when a person’s death results from another party’s negligent, reckless, or intentional actions. This legal concept is similar to personal injury claims but applies when the victim is no longer alive to seek justice themselves.

For instance, fatalities caused by car accidents, medical malpractice, or even intentional harm all fall under this category.

Legal Grounds for Claims

To have legal grounds to file a wrongful death claim, you must show the person’s death resulted from another person’s wrongful actions. This means demonstrating that there was an act of negligence or misconduct that directly led to the death.

Personal injury lawyers play an important role here, using their expertise to establish this crucial link. They work to prove that had the victim survived, they would have had a valid personal injury claim, thereby validating the wrongful death claim.

Eligibility for Filing a Wrongful Death Claim

In Connecticut, the eligibility to file a wrongful death claim is specifically defined by law.

Some states have implemented “Lord Campbell’s Act,” a law inspired by the British Parliament. It establishes a hierarchy of litigious rights in a wrongful death suit, starting with the widow or widower, then progressing to the children, parents, distant family members, life partners, and so on. Connecticut is not included in the list of states that follow this act, however.

Instead, Connecticut follows the loss-to-estate system, where only the estate can bring suit. The purpose is to compensate the estate as a whole for the loss incurred by the unjust death. In this case, the suit would be filed by a representative of the estate under their name. If successful, the financial recovery would be distributed among the estate’s beneficiaries.

Generally, the right to initiate such a claim is vested in the executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate. This individual is typically named in the deceased’s will or appointed by a court if no will exists. Their primary role is to manage the deceased’s estate, but in the context of a wrongful death claim, they also bear the responsibility of seeking justice for the deceased.

It’s important to note that while the executor or administrator files the claim, they do so on behalf of the estate and the beneficiaries, which often include family members like spouses, children, or parents.

A personal injury lawyer experienced in wrongful death claims can guide in these matters, ensuring the claim is filed correctly and the rights of all parties are represented.

Role of the Executor or Administrator

The executor or administrator is in charge of handling the wrongful death claim process. Their responsibilities include filing the claim, gathering necessary evidence, communicating with the personal injury lawyer, and ensuring that all legal procedures are followed.

They must prove that the wrongful death occurred due to someone else’s negligence or intentional act and that this loss has directly impacted the beneficiaries, both emotionally and financially.

In cases where the wrongful death claim is successful, the executor or administrator is also responsible for distributing the awarded compensation according to the decedent’s will or state law.

A personal injury lawyer can also be instrumental in this phase, helping to navigate the complexities of estate and probate law in conjunction with the wrongful death claim.

Why File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

If a loved one dies because of another’s recklessness or negligent actions, family members may be able to seek compensation through a wrongful death claim. Like any personal injury claim, the defendant in a wrongful death suit may be ordered to financially compensate the estate of the deceased for medical and funeral costs as well as mental suffering as a result of a loss of companionship and love. Future lost wages are also a relevant component to consider.

Common Scenarios Leading to Wrongful Death Claims

Wrongful death claims in Connecticut arise from various tragic circumstances where negligence or intentional harm results in a fatality. These scenarios often require the expertise of a personal injury lawyer to navigate the complex legal aftermath.

Vehicle Accidents

One of the most common causes of wrongful death claims is car accidents. These can occur due to reckless driving, driving under the influence, or failure to adhere to traffic laws. When such negligence leads to a fatal accident, the deceased’s estate can file a wrongful death claim.

Medical Malpractice

Another frequent scenario involves medical malpractice. This can encompass a range of issues, including surgical errors, misdiagnosis, or failure to provide adequate care. When these medical oversights result in a patient’s death, a wrongful death claim may be pursued.

Workplace Accidents

Fatalities in the workplace, especially in high-risk industries like construction or manufacturing, can also lead to wrongful death claims. These incidents might involve unsafe working conditions, inadequate safety protocols, or equipment failures.

Product Liability

Defective or dangerous products, such as malfunctioning machinery, hazardous consumer goods, or pharmaceuticals with severe side effects, can be grounds for a wrongful death claim if they lead to a loss of life.

A personal injury lawyer plays a crucial role in each of these situations. They help the family of the deceased understand their rights and guide them through the legal process of filing a wrongful death claim, seeking compensation for their loss, and holding the responsible parties accountable.

Legal Process and Requirements for Wrongful Death Claims

Filing a wrongful death claim in Connecticut involves a detailed legal process guided by specific statutes and requirements. Understanding the process can be challenging, but it is something an experienced attorney can help with.

The steps are highlighted here.

Initiating the Claim

The process begins with appointing an executor or administrator for the deceased’s estate. This individual, often guided by a personal injury lawyer, is responsible for filing the wrongful death claim in a Connecticut court.

Meeting Statutory Requirements

An essential requirement in these claims is adhering to the statute of limitations. In Connecticut, wrongful death claims must be filed within two years from the date of death and no more than five years from the date of the act or omission causing the death. You must meet this deadline to avoid losing the right to file the claim.

Documentation and Evidence

The filing process also requires gathering and presenting substantial evidence. This includes proof of the wrongful act, documentation of the death, and evidence of the financial and emotional impact on the beneficiaries.

Court Proceedings

Once filed, the claim undergoes a legal review process. This can involve court hearings, where both sides present their arguments and evidence. The court’s decision on the claim is based on the evidence provided and the applicable laws.

Compensation and Damages in Wrongful Death Claims

Compensation in wrongful death claims covers a range of damages to support the deceased’s family financially and acknowledge their loss.

Types of Compensation

The damages awarded can include both economic and non-economic aspects. Economic damages cover tangible losses such as medical expenses incurred before death, funeral and burial costs, and lost income, including potential future earnings the deceased would have provided.

Non-economic damages address the more intangible aspects, like the pain and suffering of the deceased before death and the loss of companionship, care, and affection for the family members.

Calculation of Damages

Calculating these damages is a complex process. It involves assessing the deceased’s earning capacity, life expectancy, and the extent of the family’s financial and emotional loss.

The court considers various factors, including the age and health of the deceased, their occupation, and the circumstances of their death. A personal injury lawyer is crucial in this phase, as they help the family present a detailed and substantiated claim for these damages, ensuring a fair and comprehensive assessment of their loss.

Wrongful Death Suits are Relatively New

Causing the death of another person due to a negligent act used to be a criminal offense only, and the perpetrator’s consequences were limited to jail or similar. The lack of financial accountability to the victim’s family had an unintended consequence. Namely, the perpetrator could avoid the bulk of financial responsibility if the victim was killed instead of injured.

In light of this development and perhaps as a way for families to get closure and a sense of justice for their loss, every state in the U.S. has overturned the previous rule. This development allows the person responsible for the wrongful death to be sued in civil court as well as criminal.

Navigating Wrongful Death Claims with a Personal Injury Attorney

Navigating the complexities of a wrongful death claim is a challenging journey, one that requires not only an understanding of the law but also a compassionate approach to the emotional turmoil faced by the bereaved.

For families dealing with the loss of a loved one due to another’s negligence or misconduct, seeking the right legal assistance is a critical step toward seeking justice and closure.

Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers stand ready to offer their expertise, ensuring that each wrongful death claim is handled with the utmost care and professionalism. If you need assistance with a wrongful death claim, contact us.