Rockville, MD Wrongful Death Lawyer
Unfortunately, thousands of families are hit by the tragic loss of a loved one. In most instances, the tragedies that lead to a loved one’s untimely death are only possible because of another person’s negligence. As a party affected by your tragic loss, you may wonder whether there is anything that you can do to hold the liable parties accountable. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to fight for compensation for your losses.
Our Rockville, MD wrongful death lawyers can help you fight aggressively and strategically to hold the liable parties accountable for your losses. To learn more about our services and how we can help you fight for the compensation you deserve, call our law offices today at (410) 694-7291.
The Most Common Causes of Wrongful Deaths in Rockville, MD
Unfortunately, every year, thousands of people die due to someone else’s negligence. Negligence plays the most significant role in every wrongful death claim and is the main element allowing a plaintiff to file a lawsuit for their loved one’s death. Many things can lead to wrongful deaths in Rockville, MD. However, over the years, we have discovered that some causes commonly lead to these tragic losses.
One of the leading causes of wrongful death that we have identified is auto accidents. Every year, thousands of drivers are injured and lose their lives in tragic accidents. Most of the time, these fatal crashes happen due to driver negligence. Drunk driving, distracted driving, and drowsy driving contribute to many deaths on the road.
Additionally, medical malpractice has become one of the nation’s top wrongful death causes. Unfortunately, thousands of unsuspecting patients have lost their lives due to prescription errors, misdiagnoses, and wrongful amputations – among other kinds of medical malpractice. Fortunately, you can file a claim against those who caused your loved one’s death and fight for your compensation.
Workplace accidents have also been a common cause of wrongful deaths in the U.S., including Rockville, MD. This is especially true for people who are at a higher risk of suffering an accident, such as construction workers. If you have lost a loved one due to another person’s negligence at work, we can help.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim in Rockville, MD
As we alluded to at the beginning of this article, losing a loved one can be one of the most challenging chapters in your life. Fortunately, you can fight to hold the liable parties accountable by filing a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim allows the decedent’s surviving family to file a lawsuit for compensation. the law prioritizes the decedent’s primary beneficiaries. In other words, the decedent’s spouse, children, and parents may have the right to file a claim in the name of their loved one. If the decedent has no primary beneficiaries, their secondary beneficiaries – siblings, uncles, or nieces and nephews – can step in to file their claim – if they qualify.
All claimants have to consider a critical element when planning on filing a wrongful death claim. There is a limited amount of time allowing a claimant to file their lawsuit. This is known as the statute of limitations. Through this statute, the state limits the time you have to file your wrongful death claim.
According to the statute of limitations, you have up to three years from your loved one’s death to file your claim with the court. Meeting this deadline is essential to your claim. If your time runs out without filing your claim, you may lose your chance to hold the liable parties accountable and get the compensation you deserve. Our Rockville, MD, wrongful death attorneys can help you with all of these legal matters.
Compensation Available in a Wrongful Death Claim in Rockville, MD
As a plaintiff in a wrongful death claim, you may wonder how much compensation may be available in your case. One of the most important things to consider is that every wrongful death claim is different. While every claim is predicated upon the loss of a loved one, the compensation can change depending on the specific circumstances of your claim.
For instance, under Maryland law, there are no caps on economic damages. This means that there are no limits to the compensation you can receive in terms of medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, and other quantifiable losses. Conversely, there are caps on the amount of non-economic damages you can receive.
Maryland places a cap on compensation related to things such as pain and suffering. However, this does not mean that you can’t get the max amount of compensation allowed by the state. This is something you can achieve by consulting with an experienced Rockville, MD wrongful death attorney.
To fight for your compensation, you must comply with a set of rules set forth by personal injury law. For instance, as a plaintiff, you have the burden of showing the defendant’s negligence in your claim. You can achieve this by providing evidence showing the defendant owed your loved one a legal duty – or a duty of care – the existence of a breach of duty, causation, and damages. it is essential to remember that these elements should all be supported by evidence.
Without any of these elements, you may not be able to prove your claim, and you may risk your potential compensation. Therefore, hiring an experienced Rockville, MD, wrongful death attorney is essential. With your lawyer’s assistance, you may be able to gather all of the necessary evidence, prove your elements, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Rockville, MD Wrongful Death Attorneys Offering Free Consultations
If you have lost a loved one due to another person’s negligence in Rockville, MD, we can help. Our wrongful death attorneys from Rice, Murtha & Psoras have handled thousands of wrongful death cases throughout all of our years of experience. Thanks to our knowledge and skill, we are able to hold the liable parties accountable for all of your losses. To learn more about all of our legal services in a free, confidential consultation with our Maryland personal injury attorney, call our law offices today. Our phone number is (410) 694-7291.