DeRidder Wrongful Death Lawyer

DeRidder Wrongful Death Attorney

Losing a loved one can be one of the most challenging situations in a person’s life. While a loved one’s death is always devastating, if their passing was the result of another’s negligent actions, there might also be feelings of anger and frustration. Filing a wrongful death claim might help the grieving family after their loss. Contact a DeRidder wrongful death lawyer to learn what your family might be entitled to.

Make Use of Your Legal Rights

The Law Office of R. Scott Iles aims to handle wrongful death claims with the compassion they deserve while aggressively fighting on behalf of those grieving for their loved ones. We have a deep understanding of the laws surrounding wrongful death in Louisiana and can inform you on how to file a claim. Don’t let an insurance company attempt to offer a trivial settlement amount before understanding what you could receive.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death

If the injuries sustained in an accident are serious enough, the victim could succumb to them. There are many reasons why individuals fall victim to wrongful death in DeRidder, Louisiana, including:

• Medical Malpractice: Many individuals think of mistakes during surgery when they think of a medical treatment gone wrong, but one of the most common forms of medical malpractice is not diagnosing an individual with a serious illness or condition in a timely fashion. If a doctor fails to diagnose a patient properly, their disease could progress to a fatal stage instead of being prevented early.
• Vehicle Collisions: There are many different types of fatal accidents that occur on the road every day. Many of them involve cars, but large truck and 18-wheeler accidents can often be fatal due to the sheer size and weight of the vehicles involved. Other fatalities often involve motorcycle riders or pedestrians due to their lack of protection at the time of a collision with a vehicle.
• Injuries on Others’ Property: The owner of a building or piece of property is responsible for maintaining it in a way that prevents accidents. If they cannot do this, they need to notify visitors of potential risks on the property. Many times, completely preventable accidents occur due to a building owner not properly warning visitors ahead of time, which can result in serious injuries or even death. For instance, serious slip and fall injuries could result in death in certain cases. If a property owner knows about crime in the area, they’re also responsible for providing adequate security measures.
• Damage on the Job: For most individuals, workers’ compensation can cover expenses incurred as a result of injuries or death at work. However, in some cases, accidents occur due to a company’s gross negligence and failure to properly maintain its facilities. If this happens, a family might be able to file a claim against the employer for failing to act in a way that protected the safety of the late employee. Third parties may also cause injuries in the workplace, meaning a wrongful death claim is possible.
• Maritime and Offshore Accidents: Employees who work in the maritime or offshore fields might be subject to different laws than other types of workers, and that affects what they are entitled to in the event of a wrongful death claim. If a loved one dies due to a maritime or offshore accident, contact an attorney to learn more about what laws might apply and how to recover damages.

The negligent party might not have meant to cause the death of your loved one, but they should still be held accountable for their liability. Even if you have doubts about the ability to file a claim, it is still a good idea to contact attorneys to learn about the options you may have to recover damages.

FAQs

Q: Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Louisiana?

A: Only certain people, depending on the circumstances of the deceased, can file a wrongful death claim in Louisiana. If they had a spouse or children, those individuals take priority in a wrongful death claim. However, if they did not have a spouse or children at the time of their passing, their parents, siblings, and grandparents may be able to file a claim. For more information on who can file a wrongful death claim, contact an attorney.

Q: How Long Do Wrongful Death Claims Take?

A: Wrongful death claims can take differing amounts of time to resolve, depending on the circumstances. These types of cases typically involve large settlements, which can extend the timeline of the case. In addition, cases like these could go to court, which would make them take longer than those settled outside of a courtroom.

Q: Is Wrongful Death the Same as Negligence?

A: Wrongful death is not the same as negligence. Negligence is typically defined as an action done by another party who breached their duty of care or their responsibility to keep the victim safe. If an individual is killed by negligence, this is considered a wrongful death. Negligence can be a cause of a wrongful death claim. For instance, a driver who is speeding may cause an accident that results in another driver’s death.

Q: Is It Hard to Win a Wrongful Death Claim?

A: It can be hard to win a wrongful death claim, as the loved ones of the deceased must prove that the party involved acted negligently while they were responsible for keeping the deceased safe. Due to the serious nature of a wrongful death claim, it often takes a lot of evidence to prove. This is why it is helpful to work with an attorney when attempting to file a wrongful death claim, as they can help you make sure you have as much evidence as possible.

Claim the Compensation You Deserve

Don’t let too much time pass before considering a wrongful death case. There is a limited amount of time to file a claim. Lawyers can assist you with filing paperwork and meeting deadlines so that you can focus on navigating your life after the loss of a loved one. For more information, schedule a consultation with the Law Office of R. Scott Iles today.