Your Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers in Waterford, CT
Wrongful death settlements are often difficult to discuss with family members. It can be hard to put a price tag on a loved one’s life. If your family member died because of someone else’s negligence, your family may be entitled to compensation for your losses and for the pain and suffering your loved one experienced before their death. A wrongful death claim can help hold the responsible party accountable and provide a sense of closure.
At Polito & Harrington, we understand how Waterford wrongful death settlements work and how to help you get the compensation you need for your family’s loss. Our wrongful death legal team will explain what you must do to file a wrongful death claim and assist you and the personal representative in getting full compensation for your loved one’s death.
In a Waterford wrongful death claim, the decedent’s (deceased person) personal representative or executor files the claim on their behalf. Under Connecticut General Statutes § 52-555 et seq, the representative is standing in for the decedent, and suing for what they would receive if they could file a personal injury claim. For this reason, the survivors (family) of a wrongful death victim do not receive anything directly in a wrongful death claim. The personal representative distributes any settlement according to the decedent’s will, or according to Connecticut’s intestate succession laws.
The representative can sue for:
Any money recovered goes into the decedent’s estate and is paid out according to their wishes or their will.
Connecticut law permits spouses of decedents to sue for loss of consortium as part of Connecticut General Statutes § 52-555 et seq This is a legal term for loss of companionship and other intangible aspects of marriage. Only a spouse can file this action. The loss of consortium suit is attached to the primary wrongful death lawsuit. Loss of consortium includes damages like loss of “household services” (but not income), emotional support, companionship, and affection.
There may be situations in which children of a decedent can sue if the person was seriously injured and then died of their injuries. An attorney could review your case and determine if the children have a separate claim in this case.
Connecticut General Statutes § 14-295 states that if the death was due to intoxicated, distracted, or other dangerous driving, the court may award double or triple damages if the plaintiff has specifically shown that the other driver was impaired at the time of the accident. A Waterford wrongful death attorney can explain what must be proven during your case to request this additional award.
To ensure you receive the compensation you and your loved one deserve after a fatal accident, you should have skilled legal assistance from the attorneys at Polito & Harrington. We will help you gather the evidence you need to pursue a Waterford wrongful death settlement.
When you need a compassionate ear combined with a hard-working legal team, we are here to give you the guidance you need. Our attorneys have helped victims and family members throughout Waterford and Connecticut get the justice and compensation they need after serious injuries and wrongful death. Call us today for a free and confidential consultation on your case.
We are committed to provide personalized attention to each and every client’s case – no matter how large or small– because that is each client’s only case. We are proud of our firm’s reputation of combining integrity and compassion with an unflinching dedication to getting the right result. We will do what we say.
