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When to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Washington, DC

What Are the Statute of Limitations For a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

After the death of a loved one, you and your family are not only navigating grief and a new normal, but you may also have to deal with financial setbacks. If your loved one provided the main source of income for your household, you could be left without one. If your loved one required extensive medical assistance before their death, you could be saddled with the bills after your loved one passes away. Funeral and burial costs are expensive. If your family member was killed due to the negligence of another party, you may be entitled to financial compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit, so it’s important to know the statute of limitations laws to plan your actions and speak to a Washington, DC wrongful death lawyer.

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Get Legal Help for Your Wrongful Death Lawsuit

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The Regan Zambri Long wrongful death lawyers deeply understand what you and your family are going through. We know that we cannot change what happened to your loved one, but we are confident we can provide even the smallest comfort in the form of financial compensation and a sense of justice. We offer a free consultation for new clients. You will have the chance to speak with a compassionate DC lawyer who will walk you through the wrongful death lawsuit process. Call today to get the claims process started.

What Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

A wrongful death claim is filed by the family members of a person whose death was caused by negligence, carelessness, recklessness, or intentional conduct. Your loved one’s death could have been caused by a fatal car accident, a truck accident, medical malpractice cases, slip and fall accidents, product liability cases, and many others. The damages you and your family would be eligible to receive in a wrongful death case are:

  • Medical expenses: This includes the hospital stay, rehabilitation, x-rays and scans, medication, surgery, and all other medical bills from your loved one’s accident.
  • Loss of financial support: Loss of financial support can include money your family member would have made if he or she were still living. In some cases, the person who died was the sole provider for a household. Damages from a wrongful death claim could cover the wages that you and your family are now missing due to the death of your loved one.
  • Funeral and burial services: Funeral and burial costs can be upwards of $10,000 in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Many people are not prepared for those costs, especially when they happen suddenly. Damages from the wrongful death case would offset the costs of buying your loved one.
  • Loss of consortium: This is a legal term that describes the impact someone’s death has on family members. Loss of consortium are non-economic damages that are provided to the victim’s loved ones after he or she passes away. After an accident victim dies, the surviving family members are left to cope with the loss of that relationship. A spouse is left without a partner, children are left without parents, and parents are left without children. Loss of consortium damages are provided due to this loss.

What Is the Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations?

A statute of limitations is simply a law that sets the maximum amount of time you have to file a personal injury claim against someone else. The wrongful death statute of limitations is different in every state. The clock starts ticking from the date the death occurred. The statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits in Washington, DC is two years.

wrongful death statute of limitationsWhile the wrongful death statute of limitations may seem like a long time, if you do not file a claim before the window closes, you may forfeit your ability to claim any financial compensation. The safest thing you can do is reach out to a Regan Zambri Long wrongful death attorney who can guide you through the wrongful death claims process smoothly and efficiently. Don’t let the statute of limitations for wrongful death hinder your chances to recover damages. Call Regan Zambri Long today.

Our lawyers know our clients don’t want this process to go on for one second longer than it has to – that is why our lawyers make themselves available to you at all times. We work with a team of legal experts who will work within the statute of limitations and build a case so you can recover fair compensation and start to rebuild your life as quickly as possible.

People Eligible for a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

The laws in the DC Metro Area are very clear regarding wrongful death cases. Washington, DC law states that a personal representative of the deceased must be the one who files a wrongful death claim. The beneficiaries of the lawsuit would be the victim’s spouse and children. If the victim was unmarried and did not have children, the damages may be awarded to the victim’s parents, siblings, or other next of kin.

How to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Part of our job as lawyers is to help you understand every part of the claims process. Our wrongful death lawyers will update you during every step and make sure you understand what is going on at all times. The steps of a wrongful death claim are:

Determine Fault

The first step of any claim is to determine who is at fault for the accident. This could be just one party, or it could be multiple parties. The Regan Zambri Long lawyers will research, interview, and investigate to make sure all negligent parties are held accountable for their actions – we will pursue a claim against each responsible party.

File the Claim

Making a mistake in the paperwork, or not following the statute of limitations laws could get your wrongful death lawsuit thrown out. When you work with a Regan Zambri Long wrongful death lawyer, we will make sure all the paperwork is filled out properly and filed on time. Your lawyer will do the heavy lifting – all you will have to focus on is your family’s recovery.

Present Your Case

patrick reganYour Regan Zambri Long attorney will work with a team of legal experts, as well as other professionals to build a rock-solid case to secure fair compensation. If a settlement comes back that is not favorable to you, we will pursue your claim in court.

Regan Zambri Long’s law firm is often referred to by smaller law firms in Maryland, Virginia, and DC. They realize that our firm has the financial backing and the resources to take on large insurance companies and see cases through until the very end. If your wrongful death lawsuit goes to court, your lawyer will be prepared to fiercely fight for your rights to get a verdict that will award you the compensation you deserve.

At Regan Zambri Long, we understand the hard time you and your family members are going through. Let us carry the weight of the claims process and the wrongful death statute of limitations laws so you can focus on grieving well and getting your family back on their feet.

Call today for your free consultation with a seasoned wrongful death attorney to get started.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.

Call 202-960-4596

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