Losing a loved one because of someone else’s negligence can leave you facing unanswered questions and emotional devastation. For example, a fatal car accident on West Charleston Boulevard caused by a distracted driver may leave a family mourning their loss while also dealing with unexpected medical bills and funeral expenses.
Or maybe your loved one was involved in a fatal workplace accident caused by defective equipment, which has created financial uncertainty for your family. Thankfully, at H&P Law, your dedicated Summerlin wrongful death lawyer is available 24/7 to help families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
We are committed to helping you hold negligent parties accountable and secure the compensation you need to rebuild. Contact a compassionate Summerlin personal injury lawyer to learn more about how we can help you seek justice for your loved one.
Types of Accidents that Can Cause Wrongful Death in Summerlin
Wrongful death claims arise from various types of accidents caused by negligence or misconduct. If you lost a loved one in an accident, understanding the circumstances that led to their passing is essential to determining who should be held accountable. Here are some of the most common types of accidents that can cause wrongful death in Summerlin:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of wrongful death in Summerlin, often resulting from reckless or negligent driving. Actions such as distracted driving, speeding, and driving under the influence create dangerous conditions for everyone on the road.
When these behaviors lead to fatal collisions, drivers, commercial vehicle operators, or even vehicle manufacturers may be held accountable with help from your Summerlin car accident lawyer.
Work-Related Accidents
Workplace accidents can result in fatal injuries, particularly in high-risk industries such as construction, manufacturing, and transportation. Falls from heights, machinery malfunctions, and exposure to hazardous substances are common causes of workplace fatalities. Employers, third-party contractors, or equipment manufacturers may be held liable when unsafe conditions lead to wrongful death.
When a loved one dies in a work-related accident, families often face financial uncertainty due to the lost wages and future earning potential of their primary provider.
While workers’ compensation may cover some costs, wrongful death claims allow families to pursue additional damages when negligence or misconduct contributed to the accident. A comprehensive investigation can determine whether third-party liability applies in your case.
Criminal Activity
Wrongful deaths caused by criminal activity often include assaults, robberies, or other intentional acts of violence. Families have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim in civil court, even if criminal charges are filed separately. Liability may extend to individuals, property owners, or businesses that fail to provide adequate security.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice occurs when healthcare providers fail to meet accepted standards of care, resulting in preventable death. Examples include surgical errors, misdiagnoses, delayed treatments, or improper administration of medications. Hospitals, doctors, nurses, or other medical professionals may be held accountable for negligence that leads to a patient’s death.
Laws Impacting Your Summerlin Wrongful Death Claim
Wrongful death claims in Nevada determine who can file a claim, when legal action must be taken, and how these claims differ from criminal cases. If you lost a loved one in an accident caused by negligence, understanding these laws is critical as you move through the claims process.
The most important laws you should be aware of include:
- Who can file a wrongful death claim – Under NRS § 41.085, the right to file a wrongful death claim belongs to the deceased’s surviving spouse, children, or parents. If none of these parties are available, the estate’s personal representative may file the claim on behalf of the beneficiaries.
- Statute of limitations – Nevada law, outlined in NRS § 11.190(4)(e), gives families two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. Missing this timeframe may result in losing the ability to recover compensation for financial and emotional losses.
- Wrongful death claims vs. criminal charges – Wrongful death claims are civil lawsuits that allow families to recover financial compensation for losses such as funeral expenses and loss of support. Criminal cases, on the other hand, focus on punishing the at-fault party for their actions. Your Summerlin catastrophic injury lawyer can help you understand more about whether you have grounds for a wrongful death claim.
Wrongful death laws are designed to give your family the ability to seek justice while recovering compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, and the loss of financial and emotional support.
Understanding these intricacies is crucial if we are going to hold the at-fault parties accountable. Your Summerlin wrongful death attorney with H&P Law can help you make sense of how these laws could impact your claim.
Families Are Entitled to Total Compensation
If you lost a loved one in a wrongful death accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the financial and emotional losses caused by their passing. Nevada law allows surviving family members to recover a variety of damages, depending on the circumstances of the case.
Some of the most common types of compensation that families may pursue through a wrongful death lawsuit include:
- Medical expenses
- Funeral and burial costs
- Lost income
- Loss of companionship
- Pain and suffering
In some cases, Nevada law also allows for punitive damages in wrongful death claims under NRS § 42.005. Punitive damages are intended to punish the at-fault party for gross negligence or intentional wrongdoing.
For example, if a driver caused a fatal accident while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, punitive damages may be awarded to hold them accountable and deter similar behavior in the future.
Meet With a Trial-Tested Wrongful Death Lawyer in Summerlin for Help Today
When you lose a loved one unexpectedly, the impact can affect every part of your life. Between trying to plan for funeral expenses while balancing hospital bills that arrived after weeks of intensive care and your family suddenly being left without a primary provider to manage mortgage payments, groceries, and school costs for young children, these situations can feel overwhelming. But you do not have to face them alone.
Your committed wrongful death attorney in Summerlin from H&P Law understands the difficulties families face during this time. We have helped families who have lost loved ones because of reckless drivers, unsafe work conditions, or medical negligence.
With more than six decades of experience, we work to hold the responsible parties accountable, so fill out our online contact form or call us to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation as soon as today.
