Summerlin Wrongful Death Lawyer
The unexpected loss of a loved one due to another’s negligence or wrongful actions is a profound tragedy. In such difficult times, a compassionate and experienced wrongful death lawyer in Summerlin, Nevada, can provide the legal support necessary to seek justice and compensation for your family’s loss. Contact Harris & Harris Injury Lawyers by calling (702) 935-6625 or online to arrange a free consultation.
Why Choose Us?
Compassionate Representation
We understand the emotional turmoil that accompanies the loss of a loved one. Our team approaches each case with sensitivity, ensuring your family’s needs and concerns are prioritized throughout the legal process.
Personalized Attention
Recognizing that every case is unique, we provide tailored legal strategies to address the specific circumstances of your loved one’s passing, ensuring a thorough and effective pursuit of justice.
Proven Track Record
With years of experience handling wrongful death claims in Nevada, our firm has successfully secured over $100 million in settlements and verdicts for personal injury victims and grieving families.
Common Types of Wrongful Death Claims
Wrongful death claims arise when an individual’s death is caused by another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions. In Summerlin, Nevada, several scenarios commonly lead to wrongful death lawsuits:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Fatalities often result from reckless driving, distracted driving, or driving under the influence. Negligent drivers can be held accountable by the right Summer motor vehicle accident lawyers for causing fatal collisions that claim innocent lives.
Medical Malpractice
Wrongful death claims may arise from medical errors, including misdiagnosis, surgical mistakes, medication errors, or failure to provide appropriate care. Healthcare professionals have a duty to provide a standard level of care, and deviations from this can be deadly.
Workplace Accidents
Dangerous working conditions, inadequate safety measures, or defective equipment can lead to fatal workplace injuries. Employers may be held liable if negligence contributed to the incident.
Defective Products
Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products are safe. If a dangerous or malfunctioning product causes death, the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer can be held accountable through product liability claims.
Premises Liability
Property owners must maintain safe premises. Fatal accidents such as slip and falls, drownings, or structural failures due to hazardous conditions can lead to wrongful death claims.
Criminal Acts
Intentional harm, such as assault, homicide, or other violent acts, may also result in a wrongful death claim, allowing families to seek civil justice in addition to criminal prosecution.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable to fatal accidents caused by negligent drivers. Speeding, distracted driving, failure to yield at crosswalks, and impaired driving are common causes of pedestrian fatalities. When a driver’s negligence results in a pedestrian’s death, the victim’s family may pursue a Summerlin pedestrian accident claim to hold the responsible party accountable and seek compensation for their loss.
Each case is unique, and the circumstances surrounding the death will determine the legal strategy and compensation pursued.
What Compensation Is Available in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
The compensation awarded in a wrongful death lawsuit is intended to ease the financial and emotional burdens caused by the untimely death. There are several types of compensation available to families:
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate for the financial losses directly resulting from the death, including:
- Medical Expenses: Costs for medical treatment, hospitalization, and care provided before the deceased’s passing.
- Funeral and Burial Costs: Expenses related to the funeral, burial, or memorial services.
- Loss of Financial Support: Compensation for the deceased’s lost income, including future earnings, benefits, and contributions to the household.
- Loss of Inheritance: Potential inheritance the deceased would have left to surviving family members.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages address the emotional impact and loss suffered by surviving family members, including:
- Loss of Companionship and Consortium: Compensation for the emotional pain and loss of love, companionship, guidance, and support.
- Emotional Distress and Grief: Damages for the psychological suffering and emotional pain experienced by surviving loved ones.
Punitive Damages
In cases where the defendant’s (at-fault party’s) actions were particularly reckless or malicious, Summerlin courts may award punitive damages. These are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.
The amount of compensation awarded depends on the specific circumstances of each case, including the severity of the loss and the financial and emotional impact on surviving family members.
How Wrongful Death Laws Work in Summerlin, Nevada
In Nevada, wrongful death claims are governed by specific statutes that outline who may file a claim, the types of damages recoverable, and the applicable time limits. Understanding these laws is crucial for families seeking justice for the loss of a loved one.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?
NRS § 41.085 specifies that the following parties are eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit:
- Heirs of the Decedent: This includes the surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and, in some cases, parents or siblings of the deceased.
- Personal Representatives: An executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate may file a claim on behalf of the estate.
Recoverable Damages
The statute distinguishes between damages recoverable by the heirs and those recoverable by the estate:
- Damages for Heirs: Heirs may recover damages for grief, sorrow, loss of support, companionship, society, comfort, and consortium. Additionally, they can claim compensation for the decedent’s pain, suffering, or disfigurement experienced before death.
- Damages for the Estate: The estate can recover special damages incurred by the decedent before death, such as medical expenses and funeral costs. The estate may also pursue penalties, including exemplary or punitive damages, that the decedent could have recovered if they had survived.
Statute of Limitations
Per NRS § 11.190(4)(e), a wrongful death claim must be filed within two years of the decedent’s death. Failure to initiate legal action within this period may result in the forfeiture of the right to seek compensation.
Special Considerations
- Medical Malpractice: For wrongful death claims arising from medical malpractice, NRS § 41A.097 stipulates that the lawsuit must be filed within three years of the date of injury or within one year of discovering the injury, whichever occurs first.
- Actions Against the Killer of the Decedent: NRS § 41B.330 prohibits a person who intentionally caused the decedent’s death from benefiting from that death. Such individuals are barred from bringing a wrongful death action or receiving any portion of the decedent’s estate.
Contact Our Summerlin Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
Navigating the complexities of a wrongful death claim while grieving can be overwhelming. Our dedicated Summerlin wrongful death attorneys are here to provide the legal support and guidance you need during this challenging time. Call us today at (702) 935-6625 for a free consultation, or fill out our online contact form to begin.