Some people die due to natural causes like diseases, while others do so due to accidents or injuries. When an individual or a business causes the death of someone that you love, you may be able to seek justice by filing a wrongful death claim against the responsible party.
Wrongful death claims allow you to seek compensation after a tragic loss and hold someone else accountable for their bad decisions that have devastated you and your family. It’s essential to understand some of the basic rules about wrongful death claims if you find yourself considering one.
Only certain people can benefit from a claim
Generally, only surviving, dependent family members can receive compensation through a wrongful death claim. Spouses, children and even parents can potentially benefit from a wrongful death claim when someone loses their life due to the negligence or misconduct of another party.
New Jersey only allows you to claim financial losses
In some states, surviving family members can ask for punitive damages to punish the responsible party and seek non-economic losses, like their own suffering over the loss of a loved one. In New Jersey, you can generally only claim losses that have verifiable financial values, like years of unearned wages and funeral expenses.
You only have two years to pursue justice in the civil courts
Like any other kind of personal injury lawsuit, wrongful death claims are subject to the New Jersey statute of limitations. If you don’t initiate court proceedings within two years of your loved one’s death, you may forfeit your right to compensation for your loss.
Learning the basics of a wrongful death lawsuit can help you decide if pursuing one would be in your family’s best interests.