Rosedale Wrongful Death Lawyer

People unfortunately die because of accidents at work, on the road, or in other places every day. However, in many cases, these accidents are not as random as they may initially appear. Many accidents that lead to someone’s untimely death are the result of someone being careless or negligent. When that is the case, the loss of someone you care about can sting even worse because you know that it could have been avoided.

If someone you love died because someone else was negligent, we can provide assistance. We understand how difficult these cases can be, so we will fight hard for the justice and financial compensation you deserve during this difficult time.

For a free review of your case with our compassionate wrongful death attorneys, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras by dialing (410) 694-7291.

Who Can Sue for Wrongful Death in Rosedale?

Maryland does not allow just anyone to sue for wrongful death. The general rule is that immediate family, like the deceased’s spouses, parents, and children, can file wrongful death claims on their behalf per Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 3-904(a)(1). Certain circumstances, like being convicted of certain crimes or other circumstances listed under § 3-904(a)(2), can disqualify immediate family members from being able to file wrongful death lawsuits. If there are no eligible family members able to file a claim, then other blood relatives of the deceased can file the claim pursuant to § 3-904(b).

When you go over your claim with our wrongful death lawyers, we can make sure that the right people file the case so that you can get financial compensation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Rosedale?

You cannot wait forever to file a wrongful death claim in Maryland. Although you will want time to grieve and gather your thoughts, the reality is that you have to move quickly if you want to be able to get damages in court. Pursuant to Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 3-904(g), you have three years to file a wrongful death lawsuit under most circumstances. This may seem like a long time, but the number of things that need to be done before filing a claim can make it seem like there is no time at all. Therefore, it is always better to try to file your case as soon as you can.

Damages from Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Rosedale

The goal of any personal injury claim – including wrongful death actions – is to obtain financial compensation for some wrong done to you. In this case, that wrong is causing the death of someone you care about. The basis on which you will likely seek damages in wrongful death claims may be somewhat different than what you request in a survival action.

Lost Care and Companionship

If your deceased loved one was someone else’s caretaker or had other people relying on them for other reasons, that can have an impact on the damages you receive. For example, suppose your deceased loved one provided daily care to a relative with a disability, that relative may need to acquire professional help in the deceased’s absence. Thus, you can get financial compensation for that loss.

Lost companionship refers to the loss of the deceased’s presence in people’s lives. Only some family members, like spouses or children of the deceased, can be awarded damages for lost companionship, so you should go over your claim with our attorneys to see if they apply to your case.

Medical Expenses

If the deceased underwent medical treatment before passing away, you may have racked up some medical debt. Hospital stays, surgery, and other emergency treatment can be quite expensive, even if it is not successful. Accordingly, you can get compensation for those costs in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Funeral Costs

An unplanned funeral can be a sudden expense for grieving families. The last thing people mourning someone’s loss need is to worry about their finances so they can get damages to offset funeral costs in wrongful death lawsuits.

Punitive Damages

In certain circumstances, wrongful death actions result not from negligence but from conduct that is more egregious. When that happens, you can seek “punitive damages,” which courts mete out when defendants have acted especially badly. If you are considering seeking punitive damages for your loved one’s death, you have to do so in your initial filings, so it is best to discuss that prospect with our lawyers early on in the legal process to determine whether seeking punitive damages makes sense for you.

Survival Actions in Rosedale

Survival actions are different from wrongful death claims in that they are filed by the executor or manager of the deceased’s estate. The executor may not necessarily be an immediate family member. They may even be you. If you need to pursue a survival action on behalf of a deceased loved one, we can work with you to make the process go more smoothly.

What Our Rosedale Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Do for You

Most people are familiar with lawyers arguing at trial in front of a jury. However, attorneys can do so much more than that. First, we can start gathering evidence to support your claim from medical providers, police departments, and other sources while you focus on all the things you need to process after the death of a loved one.

Second, we can negotiate with opposing counsel about your claim. In some circumstances, we may even be able to get a positive outcome for you without even going to trial. Finally, if it comes to it, we are more than ready to fight for you in court to get you the financial compensation you deserve.

Get in touch with Our Wrongful Death Attorneys in Rosedale Today

Call Rice, Murtha & Psoras by dialing (410) 694-7291 and get a free review of your claim from our wrongful death attorneys now.