Financial Compensation for a Wetumpka Wrongful Death Claim

If you've lost a loved one due to an unsafe product, drug, traffic crash, fall, or another type of accident, a wrongful death attorney from Alabama can help you file a case on behalf of your loved one’s estate against the responsible party.

However, you should know that in Alabama, the estate must file the personal injury case, not the person's family members. The proceeds of the case then get distributed to the proper beneficiaries. An attorney from the Law Office of Richard F. Matthews Jr. can advise you of your rights following a wrongful death and the process of seeking compensation. 

Wrongful Death Compensation in Alabama: Punitive Damages

In most states, the objective of awarding wrongful death damages is to compensate survivors for the emotional and financial losses they have incurred due to their loved one's death. In those states, you would add up your financial expenses from the death and value your intangible losses to determine the proper compensation. 

Alabama is unique because the law only grants punitive damages in wrongful death cases, regardless of the specific losses a family incurred due to the death of their loved one. Punitive damages aim to punish a perpetrator for their conduct and deter future wrongdoing. They aren't based on a claimant's monetary or emotional losses. 

Many people believe that the law only allowing punitive damages is harmful to families, as they might not receive enough compensation to cover their actual losses. Fortunately, Alabama's punitive damages cap of $1.5 million does not apply to wrongful death claims. This is because such cases are subject to different laws that exclude personal injury-related cases causing a fatality. However, families still need to fight to receive enough compensation to serve justice for their tragic loss.

Ensuring you receive maximum compensation in a wrongful death claim is challenging without the right legal help. You need an experienced attorney to demonstrate the wrongdoing of the liable parties and support your demand for punitive damages to the court. 

Don’t Wait to Speak With A Wrongful Death Attorney Who Handles Cases in Wetumpka About Possible Financial Compensation

Losing somebody you love due to someone else's conduct is tragic. It's unfair that you must spend the remainder of your life hoping that justice could have been served. This is why Alabama allows you to seek punitive damages for wrongful death to help support your family, both emotionally and financially. 

Under Alabama law, wrongful death claims have to be filed within two years after a family member's wrongful death. Personal representatives must keep this deadline in mind while considering the filing of a wrongful death lawsuit. Failing to adhere to the two year statute of limitation might result in you being unable to pursue a wrongful death claim to seek compensation. 

If you are unsure about what you should do next, feel free to get in touch with the Alabama Law Office of Richard F. Matthews Jr. We provide a free constitution in which you can tell your story and allow us to evaluate your rights and options. Reach out today for more information.