Wrongful death refers to the passing of one person due to the negligence or intentional misconduct of another individual or entity. Under wrongful death law, the victim’s family members may be entitled to compensation. The legal team at Ely, Bettini, Ulman, Rosenblatt, & Ozer, Attorneys at Law has extensive experience representing wrongful death cases in Phoenix, AZ, and has helped numerous clients collect damages to compensate for the loss of their loved one. Below, the attorneys explain a few important aspects to understand about this area of practice.

What to Know About Wrongful Death Law

Common Types of Wrongful Death Cases

Several acts can result in a wrongful death. Claims may involve any kind of incident from a dog bite to murder. Some of the most common types of wrongful death cases include traffic accidents, medical malpractice, product defects, premises liability, and workplace accidents.

Recoverable Damages in Wrongful Death Claims

Each state has wrongful death laws in place that outline what kind of damages family members may recover. In Arizona, laws allow restitution for medical bills incurred before the victim died, lost income, funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, and any pain and suffering the deceased was subject to before they passed away.

Elements of a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

To prove liability in a wrongful death lawsuit, there should typically be four elements present. First, family members and their attorneys must show the defendant had a duty of care to keep others out of harm’s way. Then, it must be established the duty was breached by negligent action or inaction. Next, it will have to be demonstrated how the breach directly led to death. Finally, the decedent must have left behind quantifiable damages.

Determining the validity of a wrongful death law case can be challenging. It’s best to have an attorney evaluate a case before moving forward to assess if liability can be proven and to identify how much the claim is worth. Contact Ely, Bettini, Ulman, Rosenblatt, & Ozer, Attorneys at Law at (800) 303-2144, or visit them online for additional information.