Wrongful Death Attorneys
The death of a loved one always causes emotional and financial upheaval in people’s lives. When an unexpected death occurs due to an accident, making decisions about your family’s needs becomes challenging. When your family’s loss resulted from the actions of another person, our attorneys will investigate and determine what action may be taken.
If you are unsure of whether the circumstances of your loved one’s death qualify as wrongful death, please call us and we can help determine the appropriate legal action.
What is Wrongful Death in New Jersey?
If a person dies because of a reckless, careless, wrongful or criminal act, family members who were supported financially by the deceased may pursue a wrongful death case to recover financial compensation. A wrongful death claim seeks to recover what the decedent could have recovered in a personal injury claim had he or she survived the incident. In addition, the family may recover the conscious pain and suffering experienced by their loved one.
Wrongful death actions must be filed within two years of the death of your loved one, or you could be barred from collecting compensation.
Causes of Wrongful Death
Given that wrongful death cases arise out of the negligence caused by another party, our attorneys will investigate all facts and prepare your case for a positive outcome. We have extensive experience in New Jersey wrongful death litigation resulting from:
- Death at work
- Death caused by dangerous or defective products
- Death in motor vehicle accidents, including car, truck, motorcycle, or pedestrian accidents
- Death resulting from an accident on an unsafe property
- Nursing home abuse or neglect
- Assault or other crimes on someone else’s property
- Acts of violence (murder, manslaughter)
- Defective products, drugs, or medical devices
Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Action in NJ?
New Jersey law limits the people who can bring a wrongful death claim to the immediate family members who were financially dependent on the decedent including the spouse, children and parents, and other relatives who were financially dependent on the deceased.
What Damages are Available in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
The New Jersey Wrongful Death Act exists to financially assist the heirs and dependents of the deceased. The victims’ families will typically file lawsuits based on financial loss, such as medical and funeral expenses. There are several other types of compensation the family can seek including:
- Pecuniary damages – If the wrongful death victim was also one of the family’s financial providers, this compensation will help the family adjust after a wrongful death occurs.
- Survival actions – These laws provide the family with financial compensation for their loved one’s emotional distress and suffering.
- Punitive damages – These cases seek to punish malicious acts by the party or parties at fault.
We handle cases from the beginning until we achieve a favorable settlement or take your case to trial. Our attorneys have a proven record of battling the insurance companies and responsible parties, including winning cases at trial. We have secured results for clients in the millions for families after their devastating loss. Our team includes attorneys who are Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey at Civil Trial Attorneys.
Please call our attorneys today at 973-585-5100.