Losing a loved one because of someone else’s negligence can leave your family facing overwhelming grief, unanswered questions, and unexpected financial burdens. While no legal action can undo your loss, pursuing a wrongful death claim can help hold the responsible party accountable and provide financial security for those left behind.
The West Haven wrongful death lawyers at Trantolo & Trantolo have been fighting for the rights of injured individuals and their families since 1938. With more than 85 years of experience and a proven record of success, our team understands what it takes to pursue justice in complex wrongful death cases.
If your loved one’s death was caused by a car accident, medical error, nursing home neglect, or another act of negligence, our West Haven personal injury lawyers are ready to guide you through the legal process with compassion and determination. Reach out today to learn how Trantolo & Trantolo can help your family move forward.
Was Your Loved One’s Death Caused by Negligence?
A wrongful death claim arises when someone loses their life because of another person, company, or organization’s negligent, careless, or reckless actions. Under Connecticut law, certain surviving family members may pursue compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit when a preventable death occurs. To succeed in a claim, it must be shown that the responsible party’s conduct caused the victim’s fatal injuries and resulting losses.
While every case is unique, wrongful death lawsuits share a common goal: holding the responsible party accountable and seeking compensation for the losses suffered by the deceased person’s estate and surviving loved ones.
Fatal Accidents and Incidents That Can Lead to Wrongful Death Claims
Wrongful death claims can arise from many different types of preventable accidents and acts of negligence, including:
Car Accidents
Distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, and other forms of negligence contribute to fatal car crashes throughout Connecticut every year. When a driver’s careless actions result in a preventable death, surviving family members may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim.
Truck Accidents
Commercial truck drivers and trucking companies must follow strict federal and state safety regulations. Violations involving driver fatigue, improper maintenance, overloaded cargo, or negligent hiring practices can lead to devastating collisions with fatal consequences.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists have little protection during a collision, making them particularly vulnerable to catastrophic injuries. Negligent drivers who fail to yield, follow too closely, or overlook motorcycles in traffic can cause fatal accidents that leave families searching for answers.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents
Pedestrians and bicyclists are among the most vulnerable road users. A collision with a motor vehicle can result in life-threatening injuries, particularly when drivers are distracted, speeding, or fail to obey traffic signals and crosswalk laws.
Medical Malpractice
Healthcare providers are expected to deliver care that meets accepted professional standards. Surgical mistakes, medication errors, delayed diagnoses, and other forms of medical negligence can have fatal consequences for patients and their families.
Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Families trust nursing homes to provide proper care for their loved ones. When facilities fail to meet that responsibility through neglect, abuse, malnutrition, medication errors, or inadequate supervision, residents can suffer serious complications that shorten their lives.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Property owners have a responsibility to maintain reasonably safe premises. Dangerous conditions such as wet floors, broken stairs, inadequate lighting, or untreated ice and snow can lead to severe slip-and-fall injuries that may be fatal, particularly for older adults.
Dog Bite Attacks
While less common than other fatal incidents, severe dog attacks can result in life-threatening injuries. Connecticut law generally holds dog owners responsible for injuries caused by their animals, including cases involving fatal attacks.
Determining whether a death was caused by negligence is not always straightforward. Our Connecticut wrongful death lawyers investigate the circumstances surrounding fatal accidents and work to identify all responsible parties so families can pursue the accountability and compensation they deserve.
Reach out to Trantolo & Trantolo to learn how our team can guide your family through the legal process.
What Compensation Is Available in a Connecticut Wrongful Death Claim?
A wrongful death claim seeks to recover compensation for the losses resulting from a preventable death. While no amount of money can replace a loved one, a successful claim can help ease the financial burden placed on surviving family members and hold the responsible party accountable for their actions.
Depending on the circumstances, damages in a Connecticut wrongful death case may include:
- Medical expenses related to the final injury or illness
- Funeral, burial, and cremation costs
- The decedent’s conscious pain and suffering before death
- Loss of the decedent’s ability to enjoy life’s activities
- Lost earning capacity and future income
- Loss of household services and support
- Other economic and non-economic losses recognized under Connecticut law
In addition to wrongful death damages, a surviving spouse may be entitled to pursue a loss of consortium claim under Connecticut law. Loss of consortium damages compensate for the impact the death has on the marital relationship, including the loss of companionship, affection, support, and society.
Calculating the full value of a wrongful death claim often requires a thorough investigation and careful analysis of both financial and personal losses. Trantolo & Trantolo works with experts when necessary to pursue compensation that reflects the true impact of a family’s loss.
Vigorous Advocacy for Wrongful Death Victims and Their Families
Since 1938, Trantolo & Trantolo has fought for individuals and families facing some of life’s most difficult circumstances. We understand that a wrongful death case is about more than pursuing compensation—it is about seeking accountability, protecting your family’s future, and finding answers after a preventable loss.
When you work with our team, you receive personalized attention, experienced legal guidance, and steadfast advocacy from start to finish.
Dedicated Communication and Support
The legal process can feel overwhelming while you are grieving. That is why every client is assigned a dedicated legal team responsible for handling communications, answering questions, and providing updates throughout the case. We believe you should always know where your claim stands and what to expect next.
Thorough Investigation and Case Preparation
Building a successful wrongful death claim requires strong evidence and careful preparation. Our team investigates the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death, gathers critical records and witness statements, consults with qualified experts when necessary, and works to identify all liable parties. We leave no stone unturned when pursuing justice on behalf of our clients.
Trial-Ready Representation
Insurance companies often look for ways to minimize payouts after a fatal accident. Trantolo & Trantolo prepares every case as though it will go to trial. Whether through settlement negotiations or litigation, we will aggressively protect your interests and pursue the compensation your family deserves. We are prepared to take cases to court when necessary and will not settle for less than your claim is worth.
Contact Our Office for a Free Case Evaluation
Our wrongful death attorneys are available to discuss your case at no cost. All our consultations are free and confidential, and you are under no obligation to hire us or move forward with a claim. If you decide to work with us, we will handle your case on a contingency fee basis. That means our lawyers recover no fees or costs unless we win compensation for your claim.
Reach out today to learn more about the legal process from an empathetic wrongful death lawyer in West Haven.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if There is an Ongoing Criminal Case?
If there is an ongoing criminal case involving your loved one’s death, it will not involve securing compensation. Criminal cases are brought by a prosecutor to punish the responsible party for their illegal actions. Punishments often involve fines or jail time. Wrongful death and loss of consortium claims are handled separately in civil court. They involve recovering compensatory damages on behalf of the victim and their family members for emotional, financial, and physical losses.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Connecticut?
Time is short to file a wrongful death case. Most Connecticut wrongful death cases must be filed within two years of the date of death. In some cases, such as medical malpractice or accidents involving government entities, the reporting deadline is much sooner. Our wrongful death attorneys will make sure your lawsuit is submitted within the appropriate time frame, so you don’t have to worry about losing your chance to seek compensation.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Connecticut?
Under Connecticut law, wrongful death lawsuits must be brought by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. In many cases, this individual is named as the executor in the decedent’s will. If no executor has been appointed, the Probate Court may designate an administrator to act on behalf of the estate.
Before a wrongful death claim can proceed, the estate generally must be opened and a personal representative formally appointed. Although surviving spouses, children, and other family members are often the individuals most affected by the loss, the claim itself is filed through the estate’s representative.
Navigating the probate and wrongful death processes at the same time can feel overwhelming for grieving families. Trantolo & Trantolo guides clients through every stage of the legal process, helping to ensure that the appropriate paperwork is filed and that the family’s interests are protected from the outset.
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