The anguish families feel after the shocking, preventable death of a loved one cannot be overestimated. There’s overwhelming grief and, as bills must still be paid, fear of financial ruin. A Herriman personal injury lawyer from Siegfried & Jensen can help ease that fear.
Our team has a perfect A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). We strive for excellence in how we treat our clients and in the results we deliver. Get the experienced, compassionate representation you need from a wrongful death lawyer in Herriman.
Make a Swift Connection with a Herriman Wrongful Death Lawyer
You may have grounds for pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit in Utah if your loved one died because of someone else’s negligence or intentional act. A fast partnership with an attorney is best, as it allows for a timely investigation of the situation. Valuable evidence can get lost over time.
The wrongful death statute of limitations in Utah is usually two years from the death. Some circumstances allow for extensions, so never assume you have lost the chance to seek justice without speaking to an attorney.
If the accident causing your loved one’s death involves a government vehicle, agent, or property, the deadline for filing the claim shrinks to one year. To avoid missing filing deadlines, get help from a wrongful death attorney in Herriman right away.
For a free legal consultation with a wrongful death lawyer serving Herriman, call (801) 266-0999
Situations Prompting a Wrongful Death Claim
Accidents or actions causing another person’s preventable death prompt a wrongful death claim. Siegfried & Jensen offers free case consultations. You can reach out to us at no financial cost, and we can determine if you have a case.
Motor-Vehicle Accidents
Drivers owe every other person sharing the roads a duty to operate their vehicles safely. You may sue for wrongful death in a car accident if a drunk, distracted, fatigued, or reckless driver caused the accident leading to your loved one’s death. The same applies if a motorcycle, truck, or other vehicle operator is to blame.
Accidents on Someone Else’s Property
Property owners must keep their properties safe for clients or visitors. This duty applies to business owners, landlords, and homeowners, though to varying degrees. For example, if your loved one dies from a fall down a poorly lit stairwell in an arena or apartment complex, the property owner could be liable.
Homeowners need to warn guests of potential hazards, such as broken stair railings. They must also ensure pools are properly secured to prevent drownings.
Product Defects
Product designers and manufacturers must ensure that safe products reach consumers. Products must come with adequate safety instructions and warnings. They must function as intended when used properly. If a defect or malfunction leads to someone’s death, the designer or manufacturer may be liable.
Medical Malpractice
The process for filing a claim for wrongful death in medical malpractice cases includes special procedures. A Herriman wrongful death attorney knows these processes and can take your claim through every step. Botched surgeries, misdiagnosis, and improper treatment are common examples of how medical malpractice can lead to wrongful death.
No matter what kind of accident or action caused your loved one’s preventable death, our team can handle your claim. As we move through the legal process, we will offer you support, guidance, and updates. You can count on us for attentive communication and true partnership.
Herriman Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me (801) 266-0999
How Utah’s Laws Affect Your Wrongful Death Claim
Per Utah Code § 78B-3-106, a wrongful death is one resulting from the “wrongful act or neglect of another.” The law establishes that “heirs” or a “personal representative for the benefit” of the heirs can hold the at-fault party accountable for compensation.
Utah Code § 78B-3-105 lists the heirs as the decedent’s spouse, children, parents, or stepchildren, fitting certain requirements (in that order). If there are no such heirs, the law allows “any blood relative provided by the law of intestate succession.”
Heirs are only eligible to file for damages if their loved one was 49% or less responsible for the accident leading to their untimely death, per Utah Code § 78B-5-818. If the decedent held a lower percentage of blame, the compensation that the heirs can collect is reduced by that same percentage.
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Damages Available to Heirs in a Wrongful Death Claim
The other side will work to avoid responsibility and deny your family compensation. If that’s not possible, they will work to keep their payout as low as possible. Compensation amounts vary according to specific case factors. Recoverable damages often include:
- Pain and suffering your loved one experienced if they did not immediately die from their injuries
- Costs for related medical care, if applicable
- Your loved one’s potential earnings and job benefits
- The loss of relationship and affection that surviving family members experience
- End-of-life costs, such as funeral and burial expenses
A lawyer can assess the value of your damages with precision and fight to get you the highest amount possible. Your loved one deserves justice, and your family should not have to face an unstable financial future because of someone else’s negligence.
Ways to Secure Compensation
You may not have to take your wrongful death claim to court. Many claims resolve through settlement negotiations. After calculating your total losses, an attorney sends a demand letter to the other side’s representatives. Usually, they answer with a lower offer. The sides continue presenting evidence and counteroffers until they come to an agreed-upon amount.
Our lawyers are skilled negotiators and fierce trial attorneys. We do not encourage clients to settle for less simply to avoid a trial. If the other side does not come to the table offering justice, we can help you decide if fighting at trial is more likely to produce the results you deserve.
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Get Justice for Your Loved One and Your Family
Losing a loved one is always difficult. In the case of a wrongful death, the injustice compounds the suffering.
Though we can’t take away your pain, Siegfried & Jensen can work to restore a sense of justice and make it possible to look toward the future with financial confidence. A Herriman wrongful death lawyer is here to help you and your family.
Call or text (801) 266-0999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form