The death of a loved one is made worse only when the cause was avoidable. Knowing that this person did not have to die and could still be with their friends and family makes the loss almost impossible for families to bear. There is also the worry that the individual, product or corporate entity that was to blame for the death may be a risk to others as well. This is why wrongful death lawsuits were begun; to compensate for losses, stop dangerous behaviors and to discourage others from actions that could cause this same problem in the future.
Filing this type of lawsuit alone is never suggested. A Wrongful Death Attorney in Rapid City SD is the greatest resource the family of any victim has during this time. With their assistance, the victims are able to know whether or not they have enough evidence for their case to move forward, they can understand what they need to do and will learn what to expect throughout the process.
Not all deaths are eligible for this type of suit. In order for it to be considered a wrongful death there must have been either negligence or misconduct of some sort that led directly to the death. These lawsuits also cannot be filed by just anyone. Only those that were either the beneficiaries of the person killed or those who relied on their income are able to file.
In addition to these two restrictions, there must also be proof that the death could have been prevented. The defendants listed in the lawsuit must have either directly caused the incident or have been in a position to prevent it from happening.
A Wrongful Death Attorney in Rapid City SD also helps their clients to understand what they can expect if they win. Enormous payouts are less common than many people realize. In most cases, it will be based on the expenses the incident caused like medical bills or property damage and potentially to replace the amount of income the victim would have been expected to earn through their lifetime.
If you have lost someone you loved was taken away too soon due to the careless behavior of someone else, talk to an attorney today. Most offices will offer the opportunity for a free consultation to discuss the case. This will help you to make an educated decision regarding how you want to proceed.