Wrongful Death
The next generation of personal injury lawyers
Our team of Connecticut attorneys is changing the personal injury field, and we will not back down from any fight.
Personal Injury
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Connecticut Wrongful Death Attorneys
Seeking Justice in the Wake of Tragedy
If someone close to you died in an accident or incident caused by another person or party’s negligent or wrongful actions, we at Goff Law Group want to help. In the wake of your loved one’s death, you are likely facing a great number of new and unexpected emotional and financial challenges. But if someone else was responsible for your loved one’s death, you can seek justice and the fair recovery you and your family are owed by bringing a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party.
You need an experienced wrongful death attorney in Connecticut to hold the responsible party accountable. At Goff Law Group - West Hartford, we can help you explore all possible sources of compensation. Nothing can make up for the loss of a loved one, but you may be able to secure a more financially stable future and perhaps prevent such a tragedy from happening again in the future.
We always offer open communication to all our clients, but this is particularly true for those grieving the loss of a loved one. We know that, in these situations, we may be all you have for support during this process—and we take that responsibility seriously. If your loved one died in a car, tractor trailer, or motorcycle accident, as a result of an on-the-job injury, or in any other preventable way, you may have grounds for a wrongful death claim; reach out to us today to learn more or to schedule a consultation.
For compassionate, client-focused representation, call Goff Law Group at 203-399-0000 or contact us online. Your initial consultation is completely free and confidential.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?
In Connecticut, the executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate must file this lawsuit. In the event that the decedent never appointed a person to serve as the executor of his or her estate, or the one he/she appointed is unable to serve, the courts may appoint someone else to oversee the estate. In such cases, this court-appointed person can bring a wrongful death lawsuit.
The executor or administrator of the estate can seek damages for the following individuals:
- The surviving spouse, children, or other immediate family members of the deceased
- Anyone who was a dependent of the deceased, including life partners or stepchildren
- Siblings, parents, and other more distant family members, in some cases
How Do Wrongful Death Claims Work?
Connecticut law defines a wrongful death claim as one that seeks recompense for damages stemming from death. According to the law, these cases are essentially personal injury claims but, since the victim cannot bring the claim on their own behalf, another party (the estate executor/administrator) does it for them. As such, wrongful death cases in Connecticut have the same burden of proof that any other personal injury claim would.
In a negligence case, for example, the allegedly at-fault party must have owed the victim a duty of care but failed in fulfilling that obligation. Additionally, the failure must have been the direct cause of the death.
Wrongful death liability, according to Connecticut law, can only result in financial penalties owed by the defendant, which distinguishes it from criminal proceedings. Additionally, the state allows for two separate types of claims in the wake of a person’s wrongful death: the wrongful death claim and the estate claim. While the wrongful death claim is intended to allow surviving individuals to recover for the value of the life of the deceased, the estate claim seeks monetary damages, as well as recovery for pain and suffering.
Compensation in Wrongful Death Claims
Losing a loved one is both emotionally and financially taxing. If you lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve compensation to cover the many tangible and intangible consequences you incur.
Connecticut law states that any damages owed because of an untimely death may be granted in compensation for:
- Outstanding medical or long-term care expenses
- Lost income, including future earnings
- Ongoing pain and anguish from the death
- Funeral or burial fees
- Loss of quality of life
Connecticut law allows courts to award double or triple damages in cases where a driver’s deliberate actions in violation of traffic laws constitute the primary factor leading to the accident. If this is applicable to your case, our wrongful death lawyers can help you file the claim with the specific plea the law requires, explaining that the driver’s willful or grossly negligent actions led to the death of your loved one.
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What Is the Statue of Limitations for Wrongful Death in Connecticut?
The statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in Connecticut requires the executor or administrator to file suit within two years of the date of death. No filing may happen after five years from that date. Some exceptions exist that allow the filing of the lawsuit after the two-year limit, but these are rare. Consult with a Hartford wrongful death attorney from Goff Law Group if you have questions about statues of limitations or filing dates in Connecticut. We can guide you through this process within the period the law stipulates.
You will face several critical steps when filing a wrongful death claim. Make sure you find the right legal team to help you take the necessary steps going forward. Goff Law Group has offices across Connecticut in Stamford, Shelton, New Haven, and Hartford, but we have helped people in every area of the state.
Contact us online or by phone at 203-399-0000 for a complimentary consultation.
The next generation of personal injury law firms
Goff Law Group is a law firm made up of experienced attorneys with various litigation backgrounds and skills. We focus all of our efforts on the plaintiff personal injury field of law and we do not practice in any other specialties. We maintain this focus because this field of law changes every day and you deserve an attorney who is a master of personal injury rather than a jack of all trades.
We invite you to have a cup of coffee with us and see for yourself how we are different. You deserve more. You deserve the modern-day law firm – you deserve Goff Law Group.