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When you lose a loved one, it’s one of the most emotionally taxing things you can go through. These circumstances can tear families apart and destroy finances. It’s even worse when the death is the fault of someone else. How can you pay for the final expenses, leftover medical bills and damages you’ve suffered? How can you hold accountable those who are responsible?

The answer is through a wrongful death lawsuit. Learn what damages you can collect when you lose a loved one through a wrongful death case, and how a personal injury attorney can be your key to success.

About Wrongful Death Suits

A wrongful death suit is brought by the survivors or estate of a person who dies through the intentional actions, negligence or irresponsibility of another person. There can be minor variances from state to state regarding who can file suit, but overall the details are very similar across the board.

In West Virginia, a wrongful death suit can be brought by surviving relatives, including the spouse, children, parents, siblings, and other family members who counted upon the deceased person for financial help and support.

Wrongful Death Case Damages

People who lose loved ones to a wrongful death may be entitled to significant monetary compensation for their loss. While no amount of money can bring back someone who was lost, it can help to cover the expenses incurred by the loss and keep your family on their feet.

There are two main categories of damages that can be collected in a suit of this kind. The first covers those damages leading up to the decedent’s passing, from the moment of the incident that caused the death, up to the moment of death. The second category covers the losses suffered following the death. Together, these categories make up a variety of specific damages for which heirs can collect compensation. Specific damages can include:

  • Funeral expenses, including burial
  • Medical expenses incurred leading up to the death and resulting from the incident
  • Lost benefits and wages of the deceased which the family counted on
  • Direct financial loss and property damage
  • Pain and suffering as well as mental anguish
  • Compensation for loss of companionship and care
  • Punitive damages, if the situation was brought about by truly egregious, reckless or deliberate acts

Charleston Wrongful Death Attorney

When you lose a loved one due to the reckless acts of another, it can be hard to know what to do next, or how to hold the guilty party accountable. In order to successfully pursue your wrongful death case and collect full damages to compensate you for your loss, it’s necessary to bring in the services of a qualified and experienced Charleston wrongful death attorney.

An attorney can cut through efforts by insurance companies and defendants to avoid payments, demonstrate the depth of your loss, and make sure that you are fully and fairly compensated under the law. If you are in this situation, Stewart Bell, PLLC can help. Read about our wrongful death services, and get in touch to talk about your case today.

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For more than 30 years, the lawyers of Stewart Bell, PLLC have helped the people and businesses of West Virginia protect their interests and rights. We understand the issues that injured people and their families face after an accident and work quickly to obtain the MAXIMUM amount of compensation for every case we handle.

We have recovered MILLIONS of dollars for clients injured because of nursing home abuse, motor vehicle accidents or medical malpractice.

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