Understanding the Legal Definition of Wrongful Death

Losing a loved one to a motorcycle accident or auto accident in Decatur or Atlanta is devastating. If someone else was legally at fault for the accident, you may be entitled to an accident settlement if you hire an attorney to file a wrongful death claim. Wrongful death is a legal term that alleges that a person’s death was due to the negligence or intentional infliction of harm by another person or entity.

A wrongful death lawsuit demands an accident settlement or compensation for losses that were incurred by the survivor. These losses may be emotional or financial, and typically include reimbursement for accident-related expenses, lost wages, funeral expenses, medical expenses, and loss of companionship. People, companies, and government agencies can be found legally at-fault for another person’s death as a result of their negligence, defective product, or intentional infliction of harm.

Only a representative working on behalf of a survivor who has sustained damages due to the death can file a wrongful death claim. Survivors may include a spouse, parent, child, life partner, or anyone else who was financially dependent upon the deceased.