Appleton Wrongful Death Lawyer
Expert Wrongful Death Attorneys Serving Appleton
Losing a loved one is terrible. But losing a loved one due to the negligent, careless, or intentional actions of others is devastating and unforgivable. If you have lost a loved one this way, you may be able to receive compensation with our experienced wrongful death lawyers serving Appleton.
Wrongful death is the death of a person caused by the negligence of another. It could be as a result of a product malfunction, drunk driver, work-related accident that led to death, slip and fall accidents that led to death, medical practice, etc. Wrongful deaths are a form of personal injury but death is the worst kind of personal injury.
The law wants to protect you from the negligence of others. This could happen in many different circumstances such as a car accident in which there is proof of negligent or reckless behavior on the driver’s side. You can speak with our Appleton car accident lawyers in this situation.
If you have lost a loved one due to wrongful death, the first thing to do is speak to a lawyer. This is so that you can embark on the journey of receiving compensation with a full understanding of your rights and options. At MacGillis Wiemer LLC, our Appleton wrongful death lawyers care about you and your family. We understand that this is a tough time for the family and we will fight passionately to recover the full compensation you deserve. Reach out to us today.
Who Can Bring A Wrongful Death Claim?
The state of Wisconsin has specific rules that dictate who may or may not be able to bring a wrongful death claim on behalf of a deceased person. A wrongful death claim is usually filed by a representative on behalf of the survivors who have suffered damages from the victim’s death.
This representative is usually the executor of the deceased’s estate. The survivors are the ones who can sue for wrongful death, if they decide not to, the executor of the estate cannot. These survivors include:
- Immediate Family Members: Wisconsin laws allow immediate family members to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Immediate family members like spouses, children (including adopted children) parents, and guardians.
- Domestic Partners, Financial Dependents: Domestic partners or anyone who was financially dependent on the deceased are also allowed to file a wrongful death claim.
- Distant Family Members: In other states, distant family members such as brother, sister, or grandparents are allowed to file for wrongful death. In Wisconsin, a grandparent who is raising a child alone is allowed to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
The State of Wisconsin as well as other states have statutes of limitations guiding when a lawsuit can be brought. In cases like this, a wrongful death claim must be filed within 2 to 3 years of the accident that resulted in death. The exact amount of time is determined by the cause of the person’s death. Once this time has passed, your lawsuit may be dismissed. If you have lost a loved one due to the negligence of others, do not hesitate to contact a skilled wrongful death lawyer so that you may be able to receive compensation.
Compensation You May Receive
The type and amount of compensation you may receive differs greatly as no two wrongful deaths are the same, even in similar situations. There are 3 types of wrongful death compensations:
- Economical Damages: These refer to the compensations the court may have awarded to the deceased person if they had survived and filed a personal injury claim. These compensations include economic losses like lost wages, medical bills, and any other out-of-pocket expenses the family incurred prior to and after death. They may also include lost inheritance, funeral costs, and property damage.
- Non-economic Damages: These are difficult to measure because they refer to compensations for the emotional trauma, mental anguish, pain and suffering, loss of companionship.
- Punitive Damages: These are awarded in cases of intentional malicious wrongdoings to punish the offender and serve as a deterrent to other people from such behavior.
Contact Us For Your Wrongful Death Claim
We at MacGillis Wiemer LLC, understand the pain one can go through after the loss of a loved one. We are ready to fight passionately and aggressively for you. Let us help you recover compensation by contacting us to learn more about your options.