When you’ve lost a loved one due to the negligence of another person, you may be considering a wrongful death case. But whether you have legal standing to make a claim matters. You may also not be sure if you have a strong case, and talking to a wrongful death attorney can help you decide what to do. Here are a few of the main questions to ask.
Who Can Sue for Wrongful Death in Nevada?
If you are considered an heir of the person who passed away, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death suit in the state of Nevada. It’s important to note that this is only for people who would be an heir if the person died without a will, which typically includes a spouse and close blood relatives.
Someone who was listed in the will, for example, but wasn’t related to the person who died, wouldn’t be able to make a wrongful death claim. Although they may have been damaged by the person’s death, they don’t have the legal standing necessary to bring a lawsuit for their loss.
Who Can Claim Damages for Wrongful Death?
Filing a wrongful death claim must be done by the deceased person’s domestic partner or spouse, children, or personal representative (executor of the estate). That significantly limits the number of people who can bring suit, to avoid distant relatives and friends from trying to sue over the loss of someone they knew.
Unless you’re very closely related to the deceased person, or named as their executor, the odds are high that you aren’t suffering significant losses from their death. While their death may still affect you, it’s important to know whether you’re able to make a claim with a wrongful death attorney before pursuing the matter.
Why Should You Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer?
Hiring a wrongful death attorney is very important when seeking justice for a person who passed away as the result of another party’s negligence. Car accidents, work accidents, and other issues can all cause loss of life.
While the other party’s insurance company may offer you a settlement, the odds are high that it’s a much lower amount than what is fair in your case. You don’t have to take an insurance company’s settlement and assume that’s all you deserve, when you have other options.
How Do You Prove Negligence in a Wrongful Death Case?
Proving negligence in a wrongful death case is extremely important. You need to be able to show that the other party acted in a careless, negligent way that caused the death of your loved one. There are many ways a person can be negligent, and an attorney can help you determine whether your loved one’s death may meet needed criteria.
If you’ve lost a loved one and want to talk about a wrongful death case, contact Coulter Harsh Law today for the help and support you need during a difficult time. You deserve fair and just compensation, and we’re here to help you receive it.