Waterbury Wrongful Death Attorney

Pursue Justice with a Compassionate, Experienced Legal Team

In the worst-case scenario, the carelessness of another person or company can lead to the death of a loved one. Amidst the confusion and heartache of this loss, it can be difficult and frustrating to have to deal with legal issues as well. At the Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we understand that you simply want time to heal, while also wanting to hold the guilty party responsible for their negligent, or careless, actions. That’s where we come in. Call us at (203) 753-7300.

Our skilled and experienced Waterbury wrongful death attorneys can work to protect your rights and to pursue compensation on behalf of you and your loved ones. We provide you with personal, compassionate service and regularly update you on case proceedings. You can trust us to skillfully advocate for you in court and to make sure that you are not being taken advantage of.

Call us today at (203) 753-7300 to learn more about your options.

Do You Need a Waterbury Wrongful Death Lawyer?

You don’t have to handle the legal process alone as a plaintiff in a wrongful death lawsuit in Connecticut. Hiring a lawyer gives you the power to hold one or more parties accountable for the preventable death of a loved one without the stress of a lawsuit on your shoulders. The right attorney can give your family what it needs when the worst happens. From answering your questions and easing your mind during the legal process to fighting relentlessly for justice, a Waterbury wrongful death lawyer can help you in many ways during this difficult time.

Requirements to Bring a Wrongful Death Claim in Waterbury

Although you should discuss your eligibility to bring a wrongful death claim with a lawyer before taking action, there are some general requirements that have to be met.

Identifying factors of a wrongful death claim:

  • An incident resulted in the death of a loved one
  • The incident was caused fully or partially by another person’s negligence
  • The death resulted in loss to you or your family members
  • The death of your loved one led to financial damages

The definition of wrongful death in Connecticut is a fatal injury caused by another party’s accidental or intentional actions. This includes intentional wrongdoing, a careless mistake and medical malpractice. In general, if your loved one would have been able to file a wrongful death claim had he or she survived the accident, your family can file a wrongful death lawsuit.

What Are Common Causes of Wrongful Death?

Wrongful death is a tragedy that can happen under many different circumstances. Any avoidable accident where one or more parties had the power to prevent the fatal injury but failed to do so may constitute grounds for a wrongful death claim. Common types of incidents that cause deaths in Connecticut include:

If you lost a beloved family member in any type of preventable incident in Waterbury or throughout Connecticut, your family may be entitled to financial compensation. Tell your loved one’s story to Attorney James A. Welcome to find out if your family has grounds for a wrongful death case.

How Long Do I Have to Bring a Wrongful Death Claim?

In Connecticut, you have two years from the date of your loved one’s death to file a claim. This is what is known as a statute of limitations. A statute of limitations is a legal deadline on filing a civil claim, meant to encourage a plaintiff to file a lawsuit in a timely manner.

With only a few exceptions, if you fail to bring a wrongful death cause of action within two years of the date of death in Connecticut, the courts will refuse to hear the case even if you have evidence of a defendant’s fault. The sooner you speak with a Waterbury wrongful death lawyer, the better chance you have at pursuing maximum compensation.

Who May File a Wrongful Death Claim in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, only certain parties who were dependent on the deceased individual have the legal right to recover financial compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. Unlike many other states, only a personal representative of the decedent’s estate can file this type of claim in Connecticut. Family members cannot file the lawsuit themselves. The personal representative is someone the decedent may have named in a will, or else it is a family member appointed this role by the probate courts. The representative will file on behalf of beneficiaries.

What Damages Are Available?

Damages is the legal term for financial compensation available in a civil lawsuit. Although money cannot make up for the loss of a loved one’s life, it can allow your family to have greater peace of mind and financial stability after a death in the family—especially the death of the main earner. The financial compensation available during a wrongful death claim in Connecticut can include:

  • The victim’s pain and suffering prior to death
  • Loss of the decedent’s earning capacity and employment benefits
  • Lost inheritance
  • Reasonable funeral, burial and medical expenses

A surviving spouse may also have the right to recover certain damages through a separate lawsuit. These damages include loss of consortium, companionship, love, support and household services. Discuss the potential value of your wrongful death case with an attorney today. Maximizing your family’s financial recovery with help from a lawyer can allow you to pay your bills, afford a funeral service for your loved one and look to the future with greater financial security.

What Are Punitive Damages?

In cases involving especially reckless or negligent actions by an individual or a company, the court may award punitive damages to you and your family. These are essentially fines imposed upon the guilty party to deter similar future behavior. Punitive damages come in addition to compensatory damages and are only awarded in certain cases where a judge believes the defendant’s wrongful acts should be punished.

Fight for Compensation With the Law Offices of James A. Welcome

Our firm will work tirelessly on your behalf to make sure that you and your loved ones are cared for during this difficult time. Don’t simply accept the first settlement offer that is made to you, make sure that you are being awarded maximum compensation and that you and your family will be taken care of in the years to come.

Contact us to set up an appointment. We have offices in Waterbury, Danbury, and Norwalk.