When a loved one suffers a fatal injury due to the negligence of another, it has a profound impact on your entire family. In addition to grief and loss, you may be burdened with the financial responsibilities of the deceased. In Tennessee, if a death is caused by an intentional, reckless, or negligent act, you may be eligible to pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim.
A wrongful death claim requires proof that the deceased’s fatal injuries were directly caused by the negligence of another. When fault is established, the next of kin can pursue a suit to collect damages on behalf of the deceased.
Wrongful Death Compensation Options to Pursue
Tennessee allows next of kin to pursue wrongful death claims on behalf of their deceased loved ones. When pursuing such a claim, you can request compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses. You can claim compensation for any medical expenses accrued between the time of the accident and the resulting death. However, you must be able to prove that the accident directly caused the fatal injuries.
- Lost wages. You can claim compensation on behalf of the deceased for any lost wages the deceased was unable to collect between the time of the injury and his death. If an accident prevented your loved one from returning to work, whether he was hospitalized, bedridden, or disabled as a result of the accident, the liable party can be held responsible for the wages he was unable to earn.
- Funeral bills. You can claim compensation for the cost of the funeral and burial. Funerals can easily cost thousands of dollars, and without compensation, you may have to dip into valuable savings accounts.
- Potential earnings. You can claim compensation based on the deceased’s earning potential. In other words, if your loved one had not been killed in an accident, his life expectancy would have been somewhere around 75 years. In that time, he would have had the potential to make money and contribute to your family’s finances. Since the opportunity to contribute was taken from him, you have the opportunity to take it back by pursuing compensation from the liable party.
- Loss of consortium. You can claim compensation based on the loss a fatal accident causes you and your family. Although difficult to put a price on, factors that are considered for compensation value include loss of love, companionship, social interactions, and relationships. For example, if a wife and mother is killed in a car crash, the father could pursue a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver. In addition to medical expenses, funeral costs, and lost wages, this claim can also include damages for the personal loss of his wife as well as the children’s loss of their mother. In essence, the at-fault driver will be held accountable for robbing the husband of his relationship with his wife, and robbing the children of their mother. Again, putting a price tag on this can be difficult, but with the help of an experienced lawyer, you’ll have the chance to recover at least some financial comfort.
For a free legal consultation, call (615) 807 7900
Pursuing Your Claim to Begin Recovering From Your Grief
For more information about pursuing a wrongful death claim, feel free to browse our site and learn how our vast experience and knowledge can help you get the settlement you deserve. Need a more one-on-one approach? Contact our office directly at 877-959-8847 to speak with lawyer John L. Griffith about how to begin your claim. The loss of a loved one is never easy, especially when financial hardships begin to stack up. Let us be the helping hand you need to overcome your grief and secure your financial future. Call now!
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