24/7 LIVE ANSWERING
276-623-0808
2000+ 5 Star Reviews
30+ Years of Experience | 1,000+ Successful Cases
My sincere condolences if you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or reckless actions. Losing a loved one is not only tragic, but if that person was a family breadwinner, in addition to the loss, the family must also deal with sudden and severe financial ramifications and how to pay the bills.
My objective is to recover for injured families every dollar that they are owed from all those responsible. In many cases, there may be more than one person or entity responsible.
I know the pain and financial uncertainty that families must go through during this tragic time. I and my firm provide full service representation, not only in providing legal representation in seeking damages, but also assisting in insurance and other matters that may be associated with a loved one’s death.
Property Damage, Medical and Burial Expenses
Property damage such as the loss of a wrecked vehicle, medical expenses, and reasonable funeral and burial expenses all may be recovered.
Lost Wages
Qualifying dependent family members are also entitled to recover for the lost wages that would have been provided by their loved one. A spouse, for instance, may be entitled to the wages that would have been earned by the decedent spouse until such person would have retired. For instance, if the decedent was 50, and those in the decedent’s profession or occupation typically retired at age 65, the spouse may be entitled to 15 years’ worth of lost wages.
The calculation for lost wages is difficult and typically requires vocational and / or financial experts. It is the job of these experts to determine the compensation that the decedent would have earned, taking into account matters such as promotions, bonuses, and contributions to retirement plans. Once this amount is known, the future forecasted compensation amounts must be discounted to arrive at a present value.
Ultimately, a jury will have the final power to decide the appropriate amount of consideration for future wages based upon the presentation of experts at trial. It is my job to retain highly experienced experts so that they can convince a jury of what amount is fair and just.
Loss of Consortium
In general, loss of consortium refers to the loss experienced by a family member due to the loss of their loved one. Husbands and wives will have a unique void if their spouse dies. So too, a child will have a void from losing a parent, and a parent will have a void from losing a child.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are available in some instances to “punish” those who engage in particularly reckless conduct. For instance, if a company knowingly sold contaminated food, or if truck driver chose to drive a truck even though he knew that the brakes were defective, these situations might lead to punitive damages. Punitive damages are determined by a jury, and it is up to the jury to determine a proper “punishment” given the facts and circumstances of a case.
Pain and Suffering Prior to Death
In some circumstances and jurisdictions, the pain and suffering experienced by a person prior to death may also be compensable.
Wrongful death accidents happen when someone dies due to the negligence, carelessness, or intentional actions of another party. These cases can be devastating for families who lose a loved one unexpectedly. Beyond the emotional toll, survivors may face financial challenges, such as lost income, medical bills, and funeral costs. These accidents can occur in a wide range of situations, from vehicle crashes to unsafe working conditions or medical errors. Each case has its own set of circumstances, but all involve the wrongful or negligent actions of another person, company, or organization. Determining the cause of the fatal accident is a critical step in pursuing compensation for the losses you face.
The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt has helped families recover damages for these claims across many types of accidents. Identifying the type of accident can guide the investigation, help gather the right evidence, and clarify which parties may be liable. We assisted loved ones in recovering $1,000,000 after the wrongful death of a teenager. The following categories highlight the most common types of wrongful death accidents and the situations that often lead to them.
Fatalities caused by car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian accidents often result from driver negligence, speeding, distracted driving, or impaired driving.
Deaths can occur when healthcare professionals make errors during surgery, misdiagnose conditions, delay treatment, or fail to provide proper care.
Fatal injuries at construction sites, factories, or other workplaces often result from unsafe practices, inadequate training, or exposure to hazardous materials.
Unsafe or improperly manufactured products, including machinery, vehicles, or consumer goods, can cause fatal injuries when they fail during normal use.
Deaths may result from unsafe property conditions, such as slippery floors, broken stairs, or insufficient security measures that lead to fatal accidents.
Fatalities in long-term care facilities can occur due to poor supervision, intentional harm, inadequate medical care, or failure to follow safety protocols.
Violent acts, including assaults, shootings, or other intentional crimes, may lead to wrongful death claims if negligence or responsibility can be established.
Airplane or helicopter crashes caused by pilot error, mechanical failure, or maintenance issues can result in fatal injuries to passengers or crew.
Deaths on boats, ships, or offshore platforms may occur due to unsafe conditions, operator error, or defective equipment.
Fatalities involving buses, trains, or other transit systems often arise from operator negligence, mechanical issues, or failure to follow safety regulations.
Losing a loved one is always difficult, and pursuing a wrongful death claim can feel overwhelming. Acting quickly to gather evidence, speak with witnesses, and document the circumstances is critical. Our team can help evaluate your situation, identify responsible parties, and work to recover compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost income, and the emotional impact of your loss. We recovered $725,000 for one client after a wrongful death resulted from a car accident. Contact us today to discuss your case and learn how we can assist you in seeking justice for the wrongful death of a loved one.
I and my firm accept wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no fee unless a recovery is obtained. Let me help you and your family.
“Mark took over my car accident case from another attorney that I fired. Mark worked hard on the case for several months to get ready for trial. Shortly before trial he got a settlement that was SIX TIMES more than the offer my first lawyer tried to get me to take.”
