Maryland Attorney for Death Caused by a Construction Accident
There are several potential causes of deadly accidents on construction sites. After such accidents, victims’ families can endure immense emotional anguish and financial hardship.
Fortunately, at-fault parties can be sued for deaths related to construction accidents they cause. There are multiple categories of monetary damages available to plaintiffs in wrongful death lawsuits and survival actions. Our attorneys can help recover the full range of compensation available in your case.
If your loved one was killed because of a construction accident in Maryland, get help pursuing the payment available to you. Contact our Maryland attorneys for deaths caused by construction accidents today by calling Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291. Our experienced lawyers can offer a free case review.
How to Recover Payment for a Death Caused by a Construction Accident in Maryland
There are multiple options for recovering payment after fatal construction accidents. Our lawyers can provide victims’ families with guidance and support when seeking compensation through any of the following types of claims:
Workers’ Compensation Death Benefits
After a death caused by a construction accident, the victim’s spouse may be able to pursue death benefits through Workers’ Compensation. These benefits are very limited and may only be paid for a brief period of time. Furthermore, Workers’ Compensation death benefits do not provide payment for non-economic damages suffered by claimants.
Accordingly, these benefits are typically insufficient to cover the wide range of damages caused by a deadly construction accident. Fortunately, there are other ways that victims’ families can seek monetary damages.
Wrongful Death Claims
You may also recover payment for your loved one’s death by filing a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party. According to Under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 3-901, a wrongful death is one that happens because of someone else’s negligent or intentional actions. In many cases, deaths caused by construction accidents will constitute wrongful deaths.
There are multiple categories of damages that may be awarded in a wrongful death claim. For example, any of the following damages may be sought:
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of companionship, protection, and comfort
- Loss of marital care
- Emotional suffering
However, to recover the aforementioned damages, plaintiffs must be able to prove that they were sustained because of victims’ deaths. Complex evidence may be required to support a claim for such damages in your case. The assistance of our Maryland attorneys for deaths caused by construction accidents can be highly valuable when proving that another party is at fault.
Survival Claims
Furthermore, a victims’ family may also pursue compensation for a death caused by a construction accident by filing a survival claim. Such a claim does not provide compensation for the death itself. Rather, a survival claim serves to compensate a victim’s family for damages the victim incurred between the time of their injury and their death. Any of the following damages may be pursued:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical expenses
- Non-economic damages incurred between the time of injury and the death
- Lost wages incurred between the time of injury and the death
- Property damage
- Punitive damages
Our Maryland attorneys for deaths caused by construction accidents can also assist plaintiffs when seeking payment through survival claims. Our team of experienced lawyers will fight for the full amount of compensation available in every case.
Who Can Sue for a Death Caused by a Construction Accident in Maryland?
After a death caused by a construction accident, there are multiple members of the victim’s family who may recover compensation. However, cases must be brought to court by the right parties. In Maryland, wrongful death cases and survival claims have to be filed by victims’ spouses, parents, or children. If none of those parties survive the deceased, then such claims can be filed by anyone related by marriage or by blood and who was significantly dependent on the victim.
If your loved one suffered a fatal construction accident, you should contact our lawyers as soon as possible. Our Maryland attorneys for deaths caused by construction accidents can help find the correct person to file your case.
Time Limit to Sue for a Death Caused by a Construction Accident in Maryland
In Maryland, a victim’s loved ones will typically have three years from the date of a deadly construction accident to file a wrongful death case or a survival action. Failure to comply with this deadline could cause plaintiffs to miss out on crucial compensation. Accordingly, you should contact our Maryland attorneys for deaths caused by construction accidents as soon as possible after a fatal accident. Our lawyers can help file your case on time.
There are some exceptions to the three-year time limit for filing a case. For instance, if your loved one’s death occurred because of exposure to a toxic substance, then the deadline to file your case may be extended. During a free review of your claim, our lawyers can determine how the statute of limitations will be applied to your case.
Furthermore, important evidence needed to support your claim can become difficult to collect and preserve as time goes on. For instance, eyewitnesses can forget important details surrounding an accident, and physical evidence can become lost. The sooner you get in touch with our Maryland attorneys for deaths caused by construction accidents, the more easily we may gather the information needed to win your case.
Settling Your Case vs. Taking Your Case to Court After a Death Caused by a Construction Accident in Maryland
In many wrongful death cases and survival actions, plaintiffs will have to choose between reaching settlement agreements or taking their cases to court. There are multiple potential benefits to settling early. For example, plaintiffs who settle early may save on several costs associated with going to trial and may recover payment more quickly.
Still, settling early is not always the right choice. Defendants and their insurers often attempt to settle cases for less than they are worth. By going to trial, you may have the chance to recover further compensation. Our experienced Maryland attorneys for deaths caused by construction accidents can help review any settlement offers made in your case, so you may confidently decide if going to trial is the best decision for you.
If You Loved One Suffered a Fatal Construction Accident in Maryland, Our Attorneys Can Help
If your loved one died because of a construction accident, seek guidance from our Maryland attorneys for deaths caused by construction accidents by calling Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 for a free case assessment.