Any time a loved one dies, it is an emotional experience. This is particularly so if the deceased was killed through the negligent actions of another or by a defective product. The pain of your loss can be compounded if it leaves family members wrestling with financial concerns caused by a loss of income. While no amount of money will replace that family member's presence in your life, it can prevent financial struggles and allow everyone in your family to focus on supporting each other emotionally.
At the office of Grady J. Flattmann, Attorney at Law LLC in Covington, our wrongful death attorney advocates for the surviving family members of individuals whose deaths were caused by someone else's negligence. These cases are known as wrongful death claims. We serve clients throughout Louisiana, including Covington, Mandeville, Slidell, Franklinton, Bogalusa, Hammond, New Orleans, and Metairie
When Should Survivors Contact A Wrongful Death Attorney?
Every death of a loved one is devastating, but not every death is cause for a lawsuit. Wrongful death lawsuits stem from very particular situations and only certain people are eligible to pursue those claims. This is true even if the decedent had a will. If you have lost a loved one in a tragic accident, it is important to discuss your options with an experienced wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. We provide some basic information about wrongful death claims here, but every case is unique and you should talk to us in a free consultation before your options expire.
Wrongful death claims usually stem from an accident that was caused by another person’s or company’s negligence or wrongdoing. The following are examples of common accidents that may lead to a claim:
- Fatal car accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Industrial workplace accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Defective products
- Many other incidents
A wrongful death attorney may be able to help family members seek compensation to replace a wage earner's future income, pay for medical and funeral expenses, and provide compensation for mental anguish, lost love and affection, and other losses. In a wrongful death or survival lawsuit, you can seek financial compensation for:
- Lost wages the deceased could have been expected to earn over a lifetime
- Medical and funeral expenses
- Loss of companionship
- Mental anguish and suffering
- The financial value of services the deceased would have brought to the family (for example, home maintenance and education assistance)
- Pain and suffering of the deceased before his or her death
Only certain family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit. Under Louisiana law, the following people may be eligible to file a lawsuit when a loved one is killed:
- The surviving spouse and child or children
- If there is no surviving spouse or children, the surviving parents of the deceased
- If there are no surviving parents, the surviving siblings of the deceased
- If there are no surviving siblings, the surviving grandparents of the deceased
In cases where there is no surviving family at all, a representative of the deceased person’s estate may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This possibility should be discussed with a wrongful death attorney.
It is important to provide an attorney with sufficient time to investigate the case and determine if a wrongful death lawsuit should be filed, so call an attorney as soon as possible.
Has Your Loved One Died Due To The Negligence Of Others?
If you lost a family member due to a negligent act you need to speak with an experienced Covington area wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help families throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.