Salisbury, MD Wrongful Death Lawyer
No one can ever be really prepared for the unexpected death of someone close to you. The expected grief and sadness brought on by someone’s passing can be compounded and made exponentially worse if you suspect that your loved one died because someone else was careless, did not do their job properly, or was otherwise negligent. Worse still, you may start racking up unexpected and burdensome costs like funeral expenses, and you may need to deal with a lack of income you are no longer getting from the deceased. All of these realities coming to a head at once can be extremely upsetting and distressing.
With so much going on, you need experienced legal help to deal with the aftermath of a loved one’s unexpected death. Our attorneys can pursue these cases with care, compassion, and empathy. We can work with you through the entire process to strive for the best outcome for your situation.
Let our compassionate wrongful death attorneys give you a free case analysis when you reach out to Rice, Murtha & Psoras by dialing (410) 694-7291.
What Laws Are Important in Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Salisbury, MD?
Wrongful death legal claims in Maryland are largely governed by Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 3-904. This statute is quite lengthy, but our wrongful death attorneys can help walk you through what you need to know to pursue a successful wrongful death lawsuit in the state of Maryland.
Who Can File Wrongful Death Claims?
Only parents, spouses, and children of the dead individual can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Maryland. Sadly, this leaves out other relatives, such as uncles, aunts, cousins, and others, who may be saddened by the passing of the deceased and want justice. However, there are some circumstances that can make it so members of the deceased’s extended family who otherwise would not be allowed to file a claim can do so. If the deceased individual cared for an extended family member financially or through some other means, an extended family member could file a wrongful death lawsuit, provided that they were dependent on the deceased in some way and there is no spouse, child, or parent to file a claim of their own.
When Should I File a Wrongful Death Claim in Maryland?
Laws known as statutes of limitation put timers on how long you have to file certain claims. Some things, like rape, can have lawsuits filed no matter how much time has passed. Wrongful death cases, however, must be brought within a finite amount of time. Under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 5-101, you must file a wrongful death action within three years of when the individual in question dies. Three years can feel like a long time, but you would be surprised how quickly that time can pass by with all that needs to be done to prepare for a wrongful death lawsuit. Therefore, it is better to start talking to our attorneys as soon as you can so that you file in a timely manner.
How Do Damages Work in Maryland Wrongful Death Actions?
The damages you might claim in Maryland wrongful death actions are slightly different than damages in personal injury cases. Things like funeral costs and offsetting the deceased’s income are commonly asked for as damages in wrongful death lawsuits. You are also able to seek damages based on the emotional and mental effects of suddenly losing someone you care about.
The damages tied to the victim’s death, such as the cost of end-of-life medical care, can be claimed in wrongful death lawsuits, but you can also get traditional personal injury damages alongside them in a “survival action.” Here the deceased’s estate sues for the damages the deceased victim would have claimed in a civil suit had they survived.
How Our Salisbury, MD Wrongful Death Lawyers Can Assist You
An experienced wrongful death lawyer can provide many helpful services if you are seeking to file a wrongful death claim. While most people know that lawyers can represent them in court, they may not be as familiar with the other things our attorneys can do in the lead-up to a trial.
Gather and Collect Evidence
One of the very important things our attorneys do in the lead-up to a lawsuit is to get as much information as possible to support your claim. We can look through records of all kinds, talk to witnesses about the events that caused the death, depose adverse parties, and more. While we do this, you can focus on things important to you, like grieving and making arrangements after your loved one has passed.
Potential Settlement Offers
It is entirely possible that the opposing party in your case may offer to settle the matter outside of court. Settlements are a way that adverse parties in a lawsuit resolve a dispute without going to trial.
Do not assume that a settlement offer means that the other side has a weak case. All it means is that they would rather not go to trial if it can be helped. Instead, examine whether you will get what you need from a settlement offer. All that being said, you always have the right to a trial and can go to court with the help of our lawyers if you so choose.
Care and Compassion
While there is no legal requirement for lawyers to be caring people, the importance of empathy and compassion, especially in wrongful death claims, cannot be overstated. We understand that this is an incredibly difficult time for our clients, so our attorneys can also lend an ear and hear out what you have to say while also diligently pursuing your claim.
Contact Our Salisbury, MD Wrongful Death Attorneys Right Away
The wrongful death attorneys at the office of Rice, Murtha & Psoras can review your claim for free when you call us at the number (410) 694-7291.