Albuquerque Wrongful Death Settlements

Losing a loved one can utterly devastate your family. Not only are you dealing with the emotions of your loss, you may have to figure out what your life looks like without your loved one, including how to manage finances and other common challenges. An Albuquerque wrongful death settlement provides compensation for the damages your family faces as you manage your loved one’s absence.

Working with a wrongful death attorney could help you understand the compensation your family deserves.

Grounds for a Wrongful Death Claim

In order to file a wrongful death claim, the family will need to show that someone else’s negligence caused their loved one’s death. Often, if they show that their loved one could have filed a personal injury claim if they had lived, the same evidence will apply to the family’s right to file a wrongful death claim.

The personal representative of the decedent’s estate is the only person who can file a wrongful death claim. The personal representative acts on behalf of the estate and distributes any recovered compensation from a wrongful death settlement in Albuquerque to the appropriate parties, such as a spouse, children, and parents.

Elements Included in Wrongful Death Settlements

Wrongful death settlements strive to provide the Albuquerque family of the deceased with compensation for the financial and non-financial losses the family will face because of the loss of a loved one. A lawyer could help the family review their losses and make sure that they include them as part of the claim.

  • Funeral and burial expenses: Wrongful death settlements include reasonable costs for funeral and burial expenses sustained due to the unexpected loss of a loved one
  • Loss of income: Often, families can lose substantial income when they lose a loved one unexpectedly, so wrongful death settlements strive to replace some of those funds
  • Loss of services: Many individuals perform considerable services for their families that the family will have to replace after their loss, including children, home upkeep, maintenance, and more

In addition to the tangible financial losses typically included as part of a settlement, the claim will include compensation for the loss of the deceased’s presence in their family’s life. This category is similar to the compensation provided for pain and suffering in a personal injury case and helps cover the non-financial challenges a family can face in dealing with the loss of a loved one.

While a wrongful death settlement cannot bring a loved one back, it can help the family manage their financial needs in the aftermath of the accident.

The Statute of Limitations

While losing a loved one can feel incredibly chaotic, the family should move forward with a wrongful death claim as soon as possible to make it easier to find evidence and establish fair compensation. The statute of limitations provides up to three years after the death of a loved one for the family to file a claim.

Talk to an Attorney About Albuquerque Wrongful Death Settlements

While Albuquerque wrongful death settlements cannot give the family back everything they lost, they can provide funds that can help the family rebuild. If you lost a loved one because of someone else’s negligent actions, a lawyer could help you file a claim. Reach out today to connect with an experienced legal team.