Wrongful Death Lawyer in Washington, DC
If a family member loses his or her life because of another party's negligence, surviving loved ones may be able to file a lawsuit to hold the responsible party accountable. A qualified wrongful death lawyer in Washington, DC can assist in seeking proper compensation for the remaining dependents who have not only lost their loved one's care and emotional support but have also lost financial support and security.
There is no way that a legal remedy can fully provide compensation for the loss nor fill the void that is left after someone's negligence has devastated these bereaved family members. However, the legal professionals at Dash Injury Law Firm can help ease the ensuing financial burden by holding the responsible party liable.
What Constitutes Wrongful Death in Washington, DC?
DC law defines wrongful death as an injury leading to the death of a person, "caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another person or corporation." The act of being negligent occurs when someone has a duty to use reasonable care but fails to, and the result causes harm to another person.
DC’s Statute of Limitations on Wrongful Death
A statute of limitations is put into effect to restrict the length of time allowed to file a lawsuit after an incident occurs. According to the Wrongful Death Act of 2012, Washington, DC has a limit of two years from the death of a victim for the filing of a wrongful death lawsuit. If this deadline is not met, there will be no option to file one. Speaking with a qualified Washington, DC wrongful death lawyer can help clear up any questions regarding time limits for filing a case.
Who is Allowed to File a Wrongful Death Case in Washington, DC?
The personal representative of the decedent’s estate is allowed to file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the surviving spouse or domestic partner. In cases where there are no surviving spouses or domestic partners, the next of kin may file suit in DC court. Children, parents, and siblings are all considered next of kin. The decedent’s will or other estate plan is paid out to the surviving spouse, domestic partner, or next of kin.
When making a claim, the estate needs to prove that the death was:
- The result of a wrongful act or negligence by a person or corporation; and
- The decedent would have been entitled to damages had he or she lived.
While wrongful death lawsuits in Washington, DC tend to address damages after the death, the estate may also file a survival action, which is done when the victim doesn't die right away from injuries but does pass away at a later date. The compensation from this claim helps cover medical costs incurred between the time of the accident and the time of death. This type of claim helps ensure that the negligent party does not escape liability simply because the injuries became fatal a while after the accident.
How Can a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Washington, DC Help?
As mentioned earlier, when an individual's life is cut short because another party engaged in reckless and negligent behavior that caused the loss of life, a wrongful death has occurred. Our skilled and experienced wrongful death lawyers in Washington, DC can help families prove negligence. To prove negligence, certain factors must be present. These include:
- An individual died
- The death directly resulted from negligence or intentional action by another that caused harm
- Financial harm befalls surviving family due to loved one's death
- The deceased victim's estate has an appointed personal representative
Our DC wrongful death lawyers will collect all the necessary evidence, perform extensive research, examine all facts, and ensure all elements are present. In court, our legal team will prove the following:
- Duty of care
- Duty of care was breached
- Causation
- The deceased victim's estate has an appointed personal representative
Contact Our Washington, DC Wrongful Death Lawyers
Call Dash Injury Law Firm today at 888-(DASH-LAW) or complete an online contact form for a free consultation.
The information contained in these pages should not be taken as a substitute for legal advice and it is in fact not legal advice, especially as to cases which are highly fact-specific.