Nothing is more devastating than losing somebody you love in a tragedy that could have been prevented by another party. The shock over the sudden death of an innocent loved one can be both emotionally and financially debilitating. Seeking the assistance of a Las Vegas personal injury attorney or obtaining financial compensation may not be the immediate concerns of a grieving family. At Keith E. Gregory & Associates, Las Vegas accident lawyers, we understand the trauma and concerns that the surviving family may be going through. The experienced Las Vegas wrongful death lawyers at Keith Gregory & Associates strive to treat the case and the surviving family members with sensitivity, respect, and professionalism. At the same time, we also understand what the family may need now and in the future when the loss of a loved one results not only in the loss of a family member, but also loss of financial security and additional expenses. Our wrongful death attorneys will relentlessly and aggressively pursue and prepare the case until we can get the compensation the family deserves.
WHAT IS WRONGFUL DEATH?
Wrongful death occurs when a person is killed by the negligence, gross negligence, intentional wrongful conduct, or other wrongful act by another. Wrongful death can result from a car accident, either immediately or where injuries from a car accident leads later on to a person’s death. There are enough news stories of Las Vegas car accidents resulting in someone’s death, because of a drunk driver or a driver distracted by a cell phone or texting. Quite a few Las Vegas motorcycle accidents have lead to wrongful deaths. Wrongful death can also arise from medical malpractice, criminal attacks, premises liability, negligent or inadequate security, pedestrian accidents, product defects, construction accidents, or work-related exposure to dangerous conditions or substances.
WHO CAN MAKE A CLAIM FOR WRONGFUL DEATH?
When a wrongful death occurs, both the deceased, through his estate (see NRS § 41.100), and his surviving family members (see NRS § 41.085) may have a claim for compensation. The surviving family members who can make a claim for wrongful death are those who would be considered “heirs” or those that would have inherited from the deceased if he had died without a will. See NRS § 41.085. Heirs would include the current spouse, sons, daughters, and the offsprings of any son or daughter that died before the deceased. The estate of the deceased steps into the shoes of the deceased and sues on behalf of the deceased. A personal representative of the estate will have to be appointed through probate to represent the estate. Call us at Keith E. Gregory & Associates, Las Vegas accident attorneys, to discuss if you have a claim for wrongful death.
WHAT CAN THE HEIRS AND THE DECEASED’S ESTATE RECOVER?
When a loved one dies, they leave behind a family that is grieving, a family that may be financially struggling without the loved one’s financial support, and a family burdened with unexpected medical and funeral expenses. Young children who have lost one or both parents to wrongful death have been deprived not only of the love and companionship of those parents but also of those parents’ financial support. The death of a husband or wife can cause significant financial insecurity for the surviving spouse, who may be left alone to care for their young children.
The heirs are entitled to seek compensation for each of their own grief, sorrow, loss of probable support, companionship, society, and comfort and consortium, as well as damages for the pain, suffering and/or disfigurement of the deceased. The deceased’s estate may seek compensation for the medical bills incurred by the deceased as a result of the tragic accident, funeral expenses, and punitive damages.
CALL AN ATTORNEY NOW.
If you have lost a loved one who was the victim of a wrongful death, the Las Vegas wrongful death lawyers at Keith E. Gregory & Associates can help you. Please call us at (702) 382-3636. We will explain your legal rights and duties, and we fight to get you the maximum recovery for your injuries and losses.
