Losing someone due to another person’s negligence is a loss no family should have to face. If that is the situation you are in, a wrongful death lawyer in Shelton from The Law Offices of James A. Welcome can help your family understand your legal options and pursue accountability.
“Results you can trust” is the standard we hold ourselves to for every family we represent. We handle wrongful death cases throughout Connecticut, and we are here to help you take the next step at a time when that may feel overwhelming.
Our firm has represented injury victims and their families since 2007. As one of the largest bilingual injury law firms in Connecticut, we serve clients in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Find out how we can help your family. Contact our personal injury lawyers in Shelton for a free consultation.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim Under Connecticut Law
Connecticut law limits who may bring a wrongful death claim. The claim must be filed by the executor or administrator of the deceased person’s estate. If the deceased did not have a will or a named executor, the court may appoint an administrator to act on behalf of the estate and the surviving family members.
The compensation recovered in a wrongful death claim is distributed to the surviving family according to Connecticut’s intestacy laws or the terms of the will. Spouses, children, and parents are typically the primary beneficiaries, though the specific distribution depends on the circumstances of the estate.
Understanding who has legal standing to file is one of the first questions we address with families who contact us. We can help identify the correct path forward and, if needed, assist with the process of establishing an estate representative.
The Difference Between Wrongful Death and Survival Claims
Wrongful death and survival claims are related but legally distinct. A wrongful death claim compensates surviving family members for the losses they have suffered as a result of losing their loved one. A survival claim, by contrast, addresses the losses the deceased person experienced between the time of injury and the time of death.
Survival claims can include compensation for the pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost income the deceased person experienced before they died. Both types of claims may be pursued together, and doing so often results in more complete compensation for the family as a whole.
Not every wrongful death case involves a survival claim, and not every attorney discusses both options with families who come to them for help. Our Shelton wrongful death attorneys review the full picture and pursue every avenue available under Connecticut law.
Economic and Non-Economic Damages in Wrongful Death Cases
The damages available in a Connecticut wrongful death case reflect the full scope of what the family has lost. Economic damages typically include the deceased person’s lost future earnings, the value of household services they provided, and any medical expenses incurred before death.
Families may also be entitled to non-economic damages, which cover losses that are harder to assign a number to but no less real:
- Loss of companionship and the ongoing relationship with the deceased
- Emotional distress suffered by surviving family members
- Loss of parental guidance for surviving children
- Grief and mental anguish resulting from the death
In cases involving particularly reckless or intentional conduct, punitive damages may also be available. Our attorneys work to identify and document all categories of loss before any settlement is considered.
How a Lawyer Can Affect the Outcome of a Wrongful Death Case
Wrongful death cases are among the most difficult personal injury matters to handle, and the stakes for families are high. Insurance companies and defense attorneys begin building their response almost immediately after a fatal accident.
Without legal representation, families may find themselves negotiating against experienced professionals during an already devastating time. An attorney can make a significant difference in several ways:
- Conducting an independent investigation into the cause of death
- Identifying all parties who may share liability
- Gathering and preserving evidence before it is lost
- Engaging experts, including accident reconstructionists and economic analysts
- Negotiating from a position of preparation rather than urgency
Families who have legal representation are generally better positioned to recover compensation that reflects the full extent of their losses, rather than settling quickly for an amount that falls short.
Why Families Choose The Law Offices of James A. Welcome
At The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we understand that a wrongful death case is not just a legal matter. It is something that touches every part of your family’s life. We approach these cases with the seriousness and care they require, and we make sure our clients have direct access to their attorneys throughout the process.
Our firm is one of the largest bilingual injury law firms in Connecticut, with staff who communicate in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. We have been serving families across the state since 2007, bringing over 40 years of combined experience to every case we take on. There is no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Speak with a Wrongful Death Attorney in Shelton Today
If your family has lost someone due to another party’s negligence, you do not have to face what comes next alone. Contact The Law Offices of James A. Welcome for a free consultation with a wrongful death attorney in Shelton.
We will listen to what happened, explain your rights under Connecticut law, and help your family determine how to move forward after your loss.
