Ruston Wrongful Death Attorneys

After an unexpected death, the decedent’s loved ones are faced with considerable hardships. These include not only grief but oftentimes a devastating financial burden. When their death was the result of another party’s negligence, those hardships are often amplified.

However, the defendant’s actions in contributing to your loved one’s death may entitle you to a wrongful death lawsuit and financial recovery to help you while you come to terms with your loss.

Utilize the experience of a Ruston wrongful death lawyer to begin the pursuit of money damages in your case. A dedicated injury attorney can help analyze your case to determine its merits while you focus on caring for your loved ones.

Who is Eligible to File a Wrongful Death Claim?

Only specified individuals are permitted to file a wrongful death action under Louisiana Civil Code § 2315.2. These individuals include:

Any surviving spouse
Any children of the decedent
A surviving mother and father if there isn’t a spouse or child to file
Surviving siblings of the decedent if there aren’t parents, children, or a spouse to file
Grandparents if there aren’t parents, children, or a spouse to file

Although this might seem complicated, a seasoned attorney with years of wrongful death litigation experience can assist in navigating your Ruston claim.

Factors That Might Lead to Wrongful Death in Ruston

In Ruston and the surrounding areas, there are a variety of hazards and other factors that might lead to wrongful death. Many of these are purely accidental, while others are due to the negligent acts of an individual or other party.

Some potential causes of death include:

Motor vehicle collisions
Medical malpractice
Child injuries
Timber industry accidents
Injuries from defective equipment
Paper industry accidents
Slip and fall accidents
Food poisoning and allergy responses
Assault and neglect
Defective products

These causes are usually standalone personal injury claims, but they take on a different context when a person loses their life as a result.

Compensation in Wrongful Death Actions

When deciding the sum of damages to award you in your claim, the court will consider many factors, including the former life expectancy of the decedent, the relationship between you and your lost loved one, their income before their death, and much more. Calculation of these losses often requires expert testimony to help establish the economic impact of your losses.

A wrongful death claim could award you damages such as medical and loss of household services, funeral expenses, lost income, and other economic damages associated with your loved one’s death. You might also get non-economic damages for your loss, including loss of love and affection, loss of consortium, grief, and pain and suffering.

What are the Time Limits on Filing a Claim?

You must file your wrongful death claim within one year of the death of the decedent to avoid having your case dismissed by a judge.

Rare exceptions could extend this date, but you should prepare to only have one year to avoid the risk. An attorney in Ruston can help you avoid losing your case by filing your wrongful death claim in a timely manner.

Get Legal Help from a Ruston Wrongful Death Attorney

To ensure quality legal assistance, you should reach out to our firm as soon as possible about your wrongful death claim. Your case needs an analysis of the facts to determine the best course of action.

With help, you may be owed a large monetary award. Contact an experienced Ruston wrongful death lawyer today for the assistance you need and deserve for your loss.