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When a family member’s life is cut short by negligence, having a Hartford wrongful death lawyer can make all the difference. The complexity of these cases stems from the dual impact of emotional loss and immediate financial burdens related to medical costs, funeral expenses, and household income loss.
At Weber & Rubano, we offer compassionate advice and knowledgeable legal representation for Hartford area families. Our personal injury lawyers in Hartford fight for justice against the parties that are responsible, striving to hold them accountable and to secure financial justice for your family. A wrongful death claim cannot bring back your loved one, but it can help to alleviate financial pressures and allow you to finally move forward.
Weber & Rubano is a veteran law firm with over 75 years of combined legal experience. We have become known in Connecticut as a trusted legal advocate for families. Our attorneys have compassionately and competently litigated wrongful death claims resulting from car accidents, unsafe premises, and medical malpractice.
Hartford area clients trust our lawyers’ courtroom experience and teamwork and feel secure in the knowledge that their case is being handled by an advocate who is fully committed to fighting for justice and protecting their rights.
A wrongful death claim is a legal action brought forth when someone’s death is caused by negligence or intentional harm, and surviving family members suffer as a result. Connecticut law permits families to file wrongful death claims for medical expenses, funeral costs, income losses, and emotional distress from losing a family member.
While a wrongful death claim is technically a type of personal injury claim, there are specific rules that apply to wrongful death claims in Connecticut. Unlike in most other states, where wrongful death claims are filed on behalf of the victim’s family, in Connecticut, a wrongful death case is filed on behalf of the victim and seeks compensation for the damages they could have claimed in a standard personal injury case had they survived.
To establish wrongful death, it must be demonstrated that the death was caused by another party’s negligence. This often requires comprehensive investigation, expert witnesses, and strategic legal arguments. These cases are complex and emotionally taxing for the families involved, making it vital to have skilled attorneys who can navigate the legal process while offering compassion and support.
When someone dies in Hartford as a result of the negligence of another person, a wrongful death claim can help surviving family members seek the compensation that they need to move forward with their lives. A car accident can claim a life if the driver responsible for the collision was distracted or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Deaths can also occur as a result of unsafe premises, whether it is a faulty stairwell or a construction site that is not up to code. Surgical errors or a misdiagnosis by a physician can also lead to a fatality. Every wrongful death case is different, and a claimant will need to present the evidence and arguments that are specific to their situation.
A skilled Hartford wrongful death lawyer can help you gather the evidence you need to firmly establish liability for the death. You have limited time to not only gather this evidence but also to file your case. If you do not meet the statute of limitations, your case will be thrown out regardless of its merits. This is why it is so crucial to hire a wrongful death lawyer at your first opportunity.
The combination of busy city streets and bustling highways makes Hartford a place where tragedy can strike. The sheer volume of cars on I-84 and I-91 means devastating car and truck accidents are a common cause of wrongful death. Hartford also has many construction sites and factories. Failures to follow safety measures at these industrial sites can have fatal consequences. Connecticut traffic accidents killed 301 people in 2022.
Distractions, impaired drivers, and other reckless behaviors were factors in many of these crashes. A wrongful death claim allows victims’ loved ones to hold those at fault accountable. Seeking justice through the civil legal system can also help families focus on what’s most important by lessening the financial consequences of a loved one’s tragic death.
Filing a wrongful death lawsuit also sends a message to the rest of Hartford and Connecticut that others must be held responsible when they don’t take safety seriously. Your case begins once you hire a wrongful death lawyer to gather the evidence needed to prove liability. Your attorney can help you understand the procedural rules that apply to your case and assist you with filing them with the court.
Once your claim is filed, it is possible for it to evolve in different ways. Many personal injury cases filed in Connecticut each year are resolved through pretrial settlement. This path allows all parties involved to resolve the case more quickly than they would be able to manage through litigation. Additionally, all parties involved have more influence over the outcome, so it is possible to achieve more mutually acceptable terms when both parties are willing to compromise.
However, settlement is not always a viable option. Some wrongful death claims in Hartford must be litigated, and this is a lengthy process that entails both parties sharing relevant evidence and documentation through what is known as discovery. Once this is complete, the parties can then begin their courtroom sessions, deliver arguments, and examine and cross-examine witnesses.
When you are struggling with the aftermath of a family member’s unexpected death, it is crucial to hire legal representation you trust to guide you through the legal proceedings ahead of you as efficiently as possible. Wrongful death cases are inherently difficult in several ways, including the emotional strain these legal proceedings place on the victim’s family. Our firm has proven experience resolving these cases and can leverage this experience for you.
Our goal in every personal injury case we accept is to help our client navigate their proceedings as efficiently as possible and maximize their compensation. Accurately calculating the full financial impact of the victim’s death can be extremely difficult, but trust our team to uncover the entire scope of the damages you are eligible to claim on behalf of the deceased.
When issues such as the defendant’s illegal misconduct or claims of comparative fault come into play, trust our team to address these fluently for you, preserving the integrity of your case as much as possible. We can gather the evidence needed to firmly establish liability and assist you with gathering any documentation necessary for proving the full scope of the damages the defendant has inflicted.
Ultimately, wrongful death cases are some of the most difficult personal injury cases anyone can face, and the right attorney can be an invaluable asset for navigating the complex legal proceedings ahead of you. The attorneys at Weber & Rubano have the skills, professional resources, and experience necessary for resolving these cases in Hartford and the surrounding areas of Connecticut, so reach out to our team at your first opportunity to learn how we can help.
Wrongful death claims in Connecticut are brought by the executor or administrator of the deceased victim’s estate. Spouses, children, parents, or other family members may be the beneficiaries of the suit, but they are not the ones to file unless named in this capacity.
A Hartford wrongful death lawyer can explain how the suit is brought, the necessary parties to the filing, and help a family pursue justice for their loved one.
Damages in a Hartford wrongful death case can include medical expenses prior to death, funeral and burial costs, loss of income, and the value of household services. Potential damages also include loss of companionship or consortium, which are typically pursued via companion claims by surviving spouses or family members.
The amount of recoverable damages varies based on the facts of the case and the available evidence. An attorney can make sure that damages incorporate both economic losses and non-economic losses. It is also possible for a defendant to be forced to pay punitive damages when a wrongful death resulted from illegal misconduct or intentional harm.
Connecticut families have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim under normal circumstances. No valid case can ensure recovery if you miss the statute of limitations deadline. Evidence and witness memories may deteriorate as time goes by, so prompt legal action is important. A wrongful death lawyer in Hartford helps to secure evidence and meet filing requirements while protecting your family’s compensation rights during this hard time.
The Hartford wrongful death lawyer provides continuous support for your family throughout each legal step in your case. Investigating the death, collecting evidence, and consulting experts are just some of the ways an attorney works on your behalf to build a strong claim.
Attorneys also negotiate with insurers, calculate damages, and can represent you in court if necessary. Families with capable legal support can focus on grieving and healing, knowing that justice is being pursued.
The death of a loved one is a horrible, life-altering experience. Nothing can be done to undo the injury to your family. Hiring a Hartford wrongful death attorney offers you a chance to hold the responsible party accountable while securing financial support for your loss.
The experienced wrongful death attorneys at Weber & Rubano work with compassion and tenacity to help you and your family seek the justice and resources you need. Contact us to book a consultation and hire a wrongful death lawyer today.