Langley City Wrongful Death Lawyer
Any loss of a family member feels “wrong,” but by law, a “wrongful death” entitles surviving dependents to pursue compensation against the individual or entity responsible. In the aftermath of sudden tragedy, you may find yourself saddled with medical bills coming out of the estate, not to mention loss of wages, funeral and burial expenses, loss of household services, and loss of companionship or guidance. The Preszler team of Langley City wrongful death lawyers are standing by, ready to advocate for you.
What Is Considered A ‘Wrongful Death’?
A “wrongful death” occurs when:
- A death was caused by the negligent or reckless action of another person or party
- Surviving family members have suffered a financial loss related to the death
Wrongful deaths commonly arise as the result of car accidents, criminal behaviour, defective drugs or consumer products, medical malpractice, trucking accidents, unsafe properties, or workplace mishaps.
Damages in Wrongful Death Cases
Eligible heirs may qualify for the following types of compensation:
- Economic damages – medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, and loss of future income
- Non-economic damages – loss of companionship (spouses) and loss of guidance (children)
- Punitive damages – rare, but large sums, designed to punish wrongdoers for gross misconduct.
Who Can File for Wrongful Death?
As defined by the Family Compensation Act, only certain family members can collect damages:
- A Spouse – “A person who was married to the deceased at the time of death or lived with the deceased in a marriage-like relationship for at least 2 years, ending no earlier than one year before the death.”
- A Child – “A person to whom the deceased stood in the role of a parent.”
- A Parent – Includes a mother, father, grandparent, and stepparent (“a person who lives with the parent of a child as the spouse of the parent for not less than 2 years and who contributes to the support of the child for not less than one year.”)
Only one action can be filed, so it is important to gather all possible heirs in the suit together. Where there are multiple heirs, the compensation will be divided amongst the parties in shares as directed by the court. If no one else asserts a claim, a personal representative may initiate action within six months.
Do You Need A Wrongful Death Lawyer?
Generally, British Columbians seek the advocacy of a personal injury lawyer in these matters. Proving damages and facts surrounding the cause of death can be extremely challenging without sufficient resources. When you hire a personal injury and wrongful death lawyer, you gain the assistance of private investigators, medical experts, accident reconstructionists, forensic economists, and many professionals who can help bolster your claim.
Whenever possible, we can subpoena documents that illuminate exactly what happened before your loved one’s death. While compensation is very much appreciated and necessary, many family members say the best part of working with an experienced legal team is getting the answers they need for closure.
Speak to Langley City Wrongful Death Lawyers, Free of Charge
It costs you nothing to speak with our Langley City wrongful death lawyers. Our nearby offices in Abbotsford and Surrey provide access to lawyers who specialize in these matters and work on a contingency basis. You only owe us the standard legal fee if we recover money on your behalf. Contact us to learn more about initiating a claim.