The unexpected death of a loved one changes your life in many ways. In addition to coping with grief, you may face significant financial challenges. You may be overwhelmed with handling end-of-life matters, but your family deserves compensation for this unjust burden caused by negligence.
Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC’s personal injury lawyers have helped injury victims and their families seek justice and compensation for more than 85 years. We are here to support you during this trying time. Our compassionate wrongful death lawyers in Hartford reduce your stress by handling insurance claims and legal matters on your behalf so you can focus on rebuilding your life. Learn how we can help during a free, no-obligation legal consultation.
Types of Wrongful Death Claims We Handle
Wrongful death claims arise when the victim passes due to someone else’s negligent behavior. We have experience with a wide range of wrongful death actions, including:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Dog attacks
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
- Slip and fall accidents
- Product defects
We know that every case is unique and deeply personal, which is why we assign a specific team to handle each case. Your assigned legal team will manage all correspondence, case-building, and advocacy while you focus on rebuilding your life.
How Our Hartford Firm Can Help
Our firm has been helping injured victims pursue justice and compensation for more than 85 years. In that time, we have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients.
We understand that you are facing significant emotional and financial challenges that may be new to you. To help you get your life in order during this chaotic time, we offer free wrongful death case reviews. We will examine the available evidence and help you understand what your legal options are.
When you hire us, we will:
- Investigate the cause of your loved one’s passing
- Identify the responsible parties and file an insurance claim
- Negotiate with insurance companies and opposing counsel
- File a lawsuit and represent you in court, if necessary
Many wrongful death cases are settled outside the courtroom, but we prepare your case for trial from the start. Our dedicated trial attorneys aggressively advocate for you and your loved ones inside and outside the courtroom.
No Upfront Fees or Retainers Necessary
We don’t charge for our legal services upfront. Instead, our attorneys recover fees and costs related to your wrongful death litigation as part of the final settlement or award. That means there is no financial risk for you – if we don’t win, you pay nothing for our legal representation.
What Is a Wrongful Death Case?
A wrongful death lawsuit is a legal action filed against the responsible party after someone dies due to negligence, recklessness, or carelessness. CT Gen. Stat. § 52-555 allows the executor of the decedent’s estate to secure compensation for reasonably necessary damages. The victim’s spouse may also bring a claim for loss of consortium.
Typically, if the victim could have brought a personal injury claim against the at-fault party had they survived, the executor can bring a wrongful death claim after their demise. Wrongful death and loss of consortium claims are usually combined in court to speed the legal process.
We know how to hold the at-fault party accountable for your loved one’s passing. Don’t fight solo – let us help you navigate the claim process and get justice for your loved one.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Connecticut?
Connecticut law only allows the victim’s executor to recover compensation for wrongful death. Usually, the victim’s will and testament names the estate’s executor or administrator. If not, the court will name a representative to manage the legal claims and distribution of the proceeds.
A wrongful death suit is separate from a loss of consortium claim brought by the victim’s spouse. While a wrongful death claim recovers damages on behalf of the deceased person, a loss of consortium claim is for specific losses suffered by the victim’s spouse. So, proceeds from a wrongful death claim go to the decedent’s estate, while any award or settlement from a loss of consortium claim will go directly to the affected spouse.
Damages Recovered in a Wrongful Death Claim
A wrongful death claim helps the loved one’s family get justice while also securing financial compensation for the financial losses related to the decedent’s passing. This can help ease the financial burden on surviving family members by covering:
- Medical, hospital, and nursing costs
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of income
- Loss of services
Every case is different, so it is important to consult with a wrongful death lawyer to avoid having to pay expenses out of pocket.
Loss of Consortium Damages
Loss of consortium claims aim to provide the victim’s spouse with compensation for the following:
- Loss of society, affection, and moral support
- Loss of sexual relations and companionship
- Loss of services and support
These damages encompass economic damages such as lost income and household services, as well as non-economic emotional and mental distress.
While these cases may be combined in court, they are still considered independent and separate. A wrongful death attorney can explain the differences and help you determine which type of claim is appropriate for your situation.
You Have a Limited Time to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim in Connecticut is typically two years from the date of death. This time frame can differ depending on the circumstances of your loved one’s passing, so don’t delay. If you miss this statute of limitations, you could lose your ability to seek damages.
Schedule Your Free Consultation With a Compassionate Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you lost someone you love because of another person’s negligence, we can help you seek justice. Contact Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC today to get a free case evaluation from a Hartford wrongful death attorney.