Nothing can replace your loved one, and it’s even more devastating when you were not expecting their passing. When you are grieving, it feels like the world should come to a halt. Unfortunately, financial responsibilities and obligations continue to exist. 

Covering the costs of losing your loved one can be overwhelming. And the endless paperwork, phone calls, and other business that needs to be handled can be confusing and exhausting. We understand the pain of sudden loss, and you don’t have to face the legal issues alone. The Provo wrongful death lawyers of 1Law can help.

When someone else’s negligent behavior causes the death of a loved one, you may be able to pursue compensation for your loss. Our attorneys can investigate your claim, identify liable parties, and represent your case in court. When negligence results in the loss of a loved one, they can be held financially accountable.

What You Should Know Before Talking to Insurance Companies Involved in Wrongful Death

Wrongful death is an extremely delicate legal situation that can result in judgments and settlements worth a substantial amount. Obtaining suitable compensation is a process that requires precision, negotiation, and strong case representation. 

Before you speak to insurance companies, it’s important to understand that they are not on your side and you are likely to face opposition because the stakes are incredibly high. It’s important to move slowly and not give in to emotions while making statements to insurance adjusters. 

Recorded statements are particularly hazardous and could be used against you in court to damage the strength of your case. Hiring a wrongful death attorney to deal with any calls or communications pertaining to the case can help protect your case and insulate your claim from any damage. 

Use Caution When Posting Online About Your Case

In any accident case, it is wise to limit your comments about the accident in publicly accessible venues. Online commentary made in haste can lead to a case crumbling quickly, no matter how innocuous you think your statement may be. 

Insurance companies and adjusters will look for any evidence they can find in order to mitigate the losses to their clients in a wrongful death case. When the negligent party’s insurance company finds anything questionable online, it can be twisted and used against you in court.

For example, you can post images and memories on social media that can be taken out of context. One picture of a person with a beer in their hand can lead to ugly accusations in court, so it’s better to share things only through personal channels just now.

Causes in Wrongful Death Cases

There are many causes of wrongful death. The most common wrongful death case claims made involve:

• Workplace accidents, such as preventable falls
• Pedestrian accidents
• Defective products, such as faulty brakes or tires
• Birth injuries
• Drownings or boating accidents
• Assisted living or nursing home neglect or abuse
• Defective drugs and drugs causing other illnesses, like cancer
• Drunk driving and impaired motorist crashes
• Medical malpractice and errors, including failure to diagnose
• Defective medical devices and device failure
• Vehicle accidents
• Premises liability cases, including complications from dog bites or slip and falls

If you suspect that someone else’s negligence could have caused your loved one’s death, talk to a wrongful death attorney in Provo. They can review the details of your situation and help to identify potentially liable parties.

Damages Considered in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Utah

The loss of a loved one must have created damage in order to file a wrongful death suit. Damages refer to financial rather than emotional loss only for the purposes of filing the lawsuit. Non-emotional costs, however, can still be addressed when assessing the damage amount.

Some examples of damages in a wrongful death case can include:

• Burial or funeral costs
• Medical expenses for treatment
• Emotional damage and loss
• Loss of companionship
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of future income, loss of benefits
• Loss of retirement benefits
• Loss of inheritance

It is hard to put a value on how much support the deceased offered on a daily basis, however, family support duties can be included. The court may look at several factors to determine the value of such contributions, including: 

• The age of the deceased
• Health condition before passing
• Earning capacity and potential
• Childcare and dependent needs 

These examples are intended to help you to estimate a potential claim value. A wrongful death lawyer in Provo will help you to evaluate the financial circumstances of your case. 

How Long do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Case in Utah?

It’s important to file a claim as soon as you possibly can. You have only 2 years to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Utah in most cases. If the claim is made against the government, that timeframe is shortened to one year. Grief and recovering from the loss of a loved one can warp our perception of time, so it is best to file quickly. 

Evidence has a way of disappearing or becoming degraded, and your case could suffer if too much time is lost. If you believe you have a valid claim, it’s wise not to hesitate.

Contact a Provo Wrongful Death Attorney

If you are wondering if you may have a wrongful death case, it’s important to find out the truth about how your loved one died. A Provo wrongful death lawyer from 1Law has the resources and expertise to investigate the details to find the responsible parties. 

Companies and individuals who make mistakes or behave negligently causing the death of another can and should be held financially accountable. The financial burden you face after the loss of your loved one could be resolved with appropriate and fair compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about how we may be able to help.