The death of a loved one is never easy. But when that death was premature and avoidable, the loss is even more devastating. If your deceased loved one was also a supporter of the family, your financial worries can compound your grief, making it seem overwhelming. If this is the situation in which you find yourself, please accept our condolences.

We know that nothing can make up for the loss of someone you love. Even so, if your family member’s death was caused by someone else’s conduct, you may be entitled to financial compensation to help with the expenses you are facing. A monetary award or settlement cannot take away your grief, but it can ease your financial worries and allow you to focus on helping your family move forward. The wrongful death attorney team at Michigan Injury Attorneys can help.

Understanding Michigan Wrongful Death Claims

In Michigan, a claim for wrongful death can be filed on behalf of close family members of the deceased, such as a spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, or siblings. The personal representative of the deceased person’s estate has the authority to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Any money received from the lawsuit becomes part of the estate, and is distributed according to the estate plan, or state law if there was no estate plan.

A successful wrongful death claim requires proof that another party’s negligent, reckless, or intentional act caused the death. A wrongful death can occur in a number of ways, including:

• Car, truck, or motorcycle accidents
• Medical malpractice
• Work-related accidents, including manufacturing or construction accidents
• Dangerous conditions on property
• Police brutality

In addition to proving the cause of a death, a wrongful death lawsuit must also show the damages that result from the death. Damages in a wrongful death suit often include:

• Loss of the deceased’s expected future earnings and any associated benefits, including healthcare and retirement savings
• Medical bills your loved one incurred before succumbing to their injuries
• Conscious pain and suffering endured by the deceased prior to death due to their injuries
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of society and companionship for survivors of the deceased

Again, it is impossible to put a true dollar figure on many of these losses. Unfortunately, financial recovery is the only means our civil justice system has to compensate survivors in these matters. A wrongful death attorney can not only advocate for an appropriate settlement for surviving family members, but can insulate them from the need to deal with the legal system while they process their loss and grief.

Call Today to Speak with a Compassionate Attorney

At Michigan Injury Attorneys, we are committed to guiding you through one of the most difficult times in your life with strength and support. We understand that when you have lost a loved one to an avoidable injury or accident, you want justice for them more than recovery for yourself. Our wrongful death attorney team helps you to achieve both.

We are skilled litigators whose first priority is the well-being of you and your family. If we can achieve a swift and fair settlement that meets your family’s needs, we will do so. However, we are also experienced courtroom attorneys who will not hesitate to pursue a claim all the way to trial if that is what is best for you and your family.

In the immediate aftermath of your loss, it can be difficult to think about legal issues. However, if you are considering filing a wrongful death suit, you must do so before the statute of limitations expires and your claim is barred.