Chicago
Case Types We Handle
Personal Injuries
Car Accidents
Truck Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Bicycle Accidents
Construction Accidents
Nursing Home Abuse
Wrongful Death
Slip and Fall Accidents
Daycare Injury & Abuse
Edwardsville
Case Types We Handle
Personal Injuries
Car Accidents
Truck Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Bicycle Accidents
Nursing Home Abuse
Wrongful Death
Slip and Fall Accidents
Daycare Injury & Abuse
Premises Liability
St. Louis
Case Types We Handle
Personal Injuries
Car Accidents
Truck Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Bicycle Accidents
Construction Accidents
Nursing Home Abuse
Wrongful Death
Slip and Fall Accidents
Daycare Injury & Abuse
Dangerous Drugs
Defective Products
Chemical Exposure

Wrongful Death

“Wrongful death” is defined as any death resulting from negligence or misconduct of another person(s), including all degrees of murder.

If you have suffered the loss of a loved one due to another party’s negligent or tortious actions, you may be entitled to compensation for the damages that you have incurred.

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Contact TorHoerman Law for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced wrongful death lawyer to discuss your options right away.

You can also use our chatbot to receive a free, instant online case evaluation right now.

We are truly sorry for the loss of your loved one.

We hope to use our vast expertise of the legal field to assist you in holding the at-fault parties accountable for their actions.

Table of Contents

Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Handled like a Criminal Trial?

A wrongful death lawsuit is not the same as a criminal trial.

If a criminal trial does occur, the trial is filed on behalf of the state, and the defendant is tried for breaking some state statute or law.

However, a wrongful death lawsuit is filed by a family member, friend, or associate of the diseased.

A wrongful death lawsuit can be filed subsequent to a criminal trial, even if the defendant is found innocent in the initial trial.

A wrongful death attorney will represent someone filing a civil lawsuit for wrongful death.

In most cases, the wrongful death lawsuit will follow similar procedures and use the same evidence as a criminal trial.

Because the defendant is being tried for damages, rather than a crime, the standard of proof is lower in a wrongful death lawsuit.

In a criminal trial, the accused must be found to be guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

In a wrongful death lawsuit, the plaintiff must only prove that the defendant was responsible by a preponderance of the evidence.

Can I File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit on Behalf of Someone Else?

Family members are typically the most common plaintiffs in wrongful death lawsuits, but people outside of familiar

In order to be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of another person, you must be considered a personal representative of the decedent’s estate.

Defining “personal representative of the decedent’s estate” differs on a state-by-state basis.

Each state has a “wrongful death statute” that defines who is considered eligible to file a lawsuit.

Contact a wrongful death attorney to be sure that you are eligible before beginning the process of filing a wrongful death lawsuit.

Generally, the following are eligible to take on the role of a personal representative of the decedent’s estate:

  • Immediate family
  • Surviving spouses, life partners, financial dependents
  • Extended family members
  • Any persons who suffer financially because of the death
  • Parents of the deceased (including a deceased fetus)

Eligibility is not limited to this list, and special circumstances can arise in which others are eligible to take on the role.

Contact a wrongful death attorney right away if you have any questions regarding eligibility.

What Type of Incident is Considered a Wrongful Death?

Again, wrongful death is considered an incident in which a person’s death results from negligence or misconduct by another person.

There is a wide array of incidents that could fall under the definition of wrongful death.

Some of the more common include:

  • Personal injury – any incident that may fall under the umbrella of a personal injury claim
  • Car accidents or other automobile accidents
  • Medical malpractice
  • Occupational accident or exposure to hazardous workplace
  • Criminal behavior
  • Death during a supervised activity

If a loved one or family member has suffered a loss of life due to another party’s negligence, you should contact a wrongful death attorney immediately.

Damages Awarded in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

There are three (3) types of damages available in a wrongful death lawsuit:

1. Economic Damages

The total value of financial contributions the victim would have made to the estate-holders if he had not have died.

Also, any costs associated with death, such as funeral expenses.

2. Non-economic Damages

Non-tangible losses suffered by estate holders, such as emotional distress, pain & suffering, loss of care, loss of consortium.

3. Punitive Damages

Additional damages to punish the defendant for their negligence that caused the death of your family member or loved one.

How Can I File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

If you believe that you have a case and want to hire a wrongful death attorney, please contact our law firm.

TorHoerman Law offers a no-obligation free consultation for any potential wrongful death lawsuit.

Do not wait to take action.

A wrongful death lawsuit requires time-sensitive information – there are strict statutes of limitation in most states.

We will help you get the compensation that you deserve for the death of your family member or loved one.

Hiring a Wrongful Death Lawyer

If you lost a loved one due to another party’s actions and you believe that legal action is something you want to pursue, you should consider contacting a wrongful death lawyer to represent your interests.

TorHoerman Law has a team of experienced wrongful death lawyers that are available for consultation, free of charge and no obligation required.

Contact our firm today to learn how we can assist you.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I choose a wrongful death lawyer?

    If you believe that you have a case and want to hire a wrongful death attorney, contact an expert lawyer from TorHoerman Law firm.

    We offer free case consultations for any potential wrongful death lawsuit.

    We will help you get the compensation that you deserve for the death of your family member or loved one.

  • How do you prove fault in a wrongful death lawsuit?

    In order to prove that the defendant is at fault, a wrongful death attorney must prove that a human death occurred due to the defendant’s negligence or intent to cause harm.

    More so, the personal representative of the decedent’s estate, family, or anyone eligible to receive part of the decedent’s estate, suffered monetary loss as a result of the death.

    Lastly, you attorney will need to show that there was an appointment of a personal representative for the decedent’s estate.

  • How much is a wrongful death lawsuit worth?

    The average wrongful death settlement ranges from $500,000 to more than $1 million.

    A typical wrongful death lawsuit depends on varying factor in the case.

    Your settlement could be worth more or less depending upon the specifics of the fatality.

Written By:
Tor Hoerman

Tor Hoerman

Owner & Attorney - TorHoerman Law

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