This is a guest blog post from our colleagues at the law firm of Cohen & Cohen
Losing a child could very well be one of the worse things that could happen to a parent. The emotions might seem unbearable, and a tragedy like this might take years, even a lifetime, to work through. When the child lost their life because of negligence, the situation might be significantly worse. This is because the surviving family members might feel that the death was preventable.
Many lawyers would offer the utmost condolences to grieving parents who have lost a child because of the negligent actions of another person. Although an attorney might not be able to turn back time, he or she may be able to offer you a sense of justice or closure through a wrongful death claim. If this is something you might be interested in, contact a wrongful death lawyer in your area right away.
Why Discuss Your Situation with a Wrongful Death Lawyer
A reputable attorney will offer grieving parents compassionate, diligent advocacy. When you choose a place to be your wrongful death law firm, please know that strong attorneys will:
- Have decades of experience
- Understand the sensitive nature of these cases
- Will be as mindful as possible of your emotions
- Will work hard to make this process as easy as possible
- Know the potential federal and state laws that may be applicable
- Are not intimidated by other firms or large companies that could be involved
- Will be ready to go to trial if a settlement cannot be reached
- Will seek maximum damages
Wrongful Death Cases that Involve a Child
When a child loses their life because of negligence, recklessness, or malicious intent, it may be possible to file a wrongful death claim. Some common scenarios include:
- Car accident
- Bicycle accident
- Scooter accident
- Playground accident
- Sports accident
- Drowning
- Amusement park accident
- Defective product
- Medical malpractice
- School bus accident
- School accident
- Daycare accident
- Animal bite
- Assault
As the lawyers at Cohen & Cohen can explain, an experienced law firm will know that there is no amount of money that can bring back your child. However, for many families, compensation brings a sense of closure. Some parents will choose to use the compensation to start an awareness program or foundation in the name of their child. Others will seek changes in current legislation. In general, the damages available will be relevant to the case and the total amount of losses that has been incurred. These include, but are not limited to:
- Any medical bills prior to the death
- Funeral costs
- Burial costs
- The value of a service the child might have provided in the future (i.e. if the child was a YouTube star, actor, or up and coming musician)
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Physical pain
Who Can File a Claim?
Every state has its own rules regarding who can file a claim for a wrongful death, and under what circumstances. If the child lost their life to an assault, violence, or a criminal act, the alleged responsible party might be criminally prosecuted. To learn more, please call a wrongful death lawyer today.