Tempe Wrongful Death Lawyer
A personal injury case involves a person being injured due to a third party’s negligent or reckless behavior. This can be a slip-and-fall accident due to a crack in the floor or a motor vehicle accident on the highway because the driver next to you failed to use their blinkers. In most cases, the affected party faces severe injuries that can take months, or even years, to heal. In other cases, the victim may even pass away.
In cases where the victim has passed away, their surviving family members may file a wrongful death suit. This is the equivalent of a personal injury claim for the family members. Wrongful death is painful and overwhelming, and it often involves feelings of confusion and conflict. Feller & Wendt is an Arizona law firm whose Tempe wrongful death lawyers have years of experience in getting surviving family members the justice and compensation they deserve.
What Constitutes Wrongful Death in Tempe, Arizona?
Wrongful death can look very different for different people. Common examples include:
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Product liability
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Bicycle or pedestrian accidents
No matter the cause, wrongful death cases all have one thing in common: they were caused by the recklessness and negligent behavior of another person, business, or entity. Negligence is defined as a knowing breach of an expected standard of care that has directly resulted in injury or death. Citizens of Tempe, Arizona, as well as businesses and government-owned properties and roads owe each other and their guests a standard of care that takes into consideration everyone’s safety and well-being. All potentially hazardous or harmful situations must be reported, remedied, and well-documented.
Deciding whether or not your family should file a wrongful death claim can be challenging. A good rule of thumb is considering the deceased party and their wishes. If you know they would have filed a personal injury claim, then you should proceed. Wrongful death damages can sometimes be the only thing that helps your family and friends get to a place of acceptance. It is important to note that Arizona has a statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim, which is currently two years after the victim’s passing.
Damages in Tempe Wrongful Death Cases
When you are awarded a settlement for your wrongful death case, the compensation is divided into two types of damages. These include:
Economic
Economic damages for a wrongful death case in Tempe, Arizona, are the measurable damages. These include medical bills and expenses incurred from the deceased’s injuries, lost earnings from investments, insurance policies and retirement funds, and funeral bills and burial costs.
Additionally, you may recover compensation for lost income for the time the deceased spent away from work. This can figure into the future, too, if the surviving family relied primarily on the deceased’s income to function.
Non-Economic
Non-economic damages for a wrongful death claim are typically associated with the pain and suffering you suffered due to your loved one’s injury and ultimate passing. Assigning a numeric value to these damages can feel uncomfortable, so your Tempe wrongful death attorney can help you decide on an appropriate number. Examples of non-economic damages you can be awarded include the following:
- Pain and suffering experienced during the entirety of the injury and death
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of guidance
- Loss of care
In cases where it is believed the injury was a direct result of malice or the defendant’s behavior has been recognized as particularly reckless or negligent, you may be awarded punitive damages. If you believe you qualify for punitive damages, it is best to discuss your options with your Tempe wrongful death lawyer and proceed from there.
Want to File a Claim? Consult With A Tempe Wrongful Death Lawyer at Feller & Wendt
Having to navigate the ins and outs of filing a claim after experiencing the death of a family member or close friend can feel impossible and not worth it. Feller & Wendt uses a people-first approach and has a team of compassionate and highly knowledgeable attorneys ready to handle the hard part for you. Now is the time to focus on your family and recovering. We give out our personal cell phone numbers so you can reach out with questions or concerns at any point throughout the process.
We will begin with a free consultation, where we will listen to your story and present you with the best possible legal course of action. Sometimes compensation is the only way to start fresh. Let us get you the money to pay off hospital bills and find peace. To speak with a Tempe wrongful death attorney today, either schedule an appointment through our contact form or give us a call at (480) 702-2277.
