Waterbury Wrongful Death Lawyer

Trusted Wrongful Death Attorney in Waterbury, CT

There are few things more traumatic than the death of a loved one. Whether the death was caused by medical negligence taking place at St. Mary’s Hospital, or in a drunk driving accident along East Main Street, when your loved one dies due to someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing, you have rights. An experienced Waterbury wrongful death lawyer is here to support families and executors of those who have died due to another’s behavior.

Pilicy Injury Law: Reputable and Respected

At Pilicy Injury Law, we understand the challenges and difficulties of coping with the loss of a loved one. That is why we are here to come alongside you and offer you the support and legal counsel you need so that justice may be served. For years, we have handled the legalities of wrongful death cases so that our clients can focus on what truly matters: healing. Let our team work to prepare your case for trial. We are here for you.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Waterbury

In a single year, the United States experienced over 222,500 preventable injuries that resulted in the death of a victim. Wrongful death cases are common for individuals who work in high-risk fields like manufacturing or construction when another party acts negligently. An individual may also lose their life due to the unsafe premises of a public venue or dangerous products, such as recalled medications. However, the most common causes of wrongful death include:

• Drunk driving accidents, which kill 32 people every day across the United States
• Medical malpractice, such as misdiagnosis, failure to treat, or delayed diagnosis
• Motorcycle accidents, which account for around 15% of all traffic fatalities
• Car and commercial trucking accidents, caused by speeding, distracted driving, etc.

If you have lost a loved one due to any of these actions, you may be able to hold the liable party legally responsible for the death and seek compensation for your family’s suffering. At Pilicy Injury Law, we are here to help you do just that.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Connecticut

Unlike some states, Connecticut does not allow surviving family members to file a wrongful death lawsuit directly. Under Connecticut General Statutes § 52-555, a wrongful death claim must be brought by the executor or administrator of the deceased person’s estate. If your loved one did not name an executor in a will, the Probate Court can appoint an administrator so the claim can move forward without unnecessary delay.

While the estate’s representative is the one who files the lawsuit, any compensation recovered is distributed to the surviving family members entitled to it under Connecticut law, which may include:

• Spouses, who may pursue both wrongful death damages and a related loss of consortium claim
• Children, including financial support for minor children who depended on the deceased
• Parents, in cases involving the death of a son or daughter

At Pilicy Injury Law, we regularly guide Waterbury families through the probate process of opening an estate so a wrongful death claim can be filed correctly, and on time.

Damages You Can Recover for the Death of a Loved One

When a loved one is lost due to the negligence or recklessness of another, their loss typically brings substantial emotional and financial difficulty to the family members who remain, especially if the deceased provided the most steady stream of income to the family. At Pilicy Injury Law, our experienced attorneys are here to help you seek justice and recover the necessary compensation that will allow your family to heal and move forward.

We know that no amount of money will ever bring your loved one back, but it can give you the time and space you need to figure out what comes next. When it comes time to pursue a wrongful death claim, eligible survivors may be able to recover losses like:

• Funeral and burial expenses related to the death
• All medical expenses related to the final illness or injury that resulted in death
• The loss of any financial support or future earnings of the deceased
• Pain and suffering experienced by the deceased before they died
• Any loss of guidance, emotional support, or companionship experienced by the family following the death of their loved one
• Loss of consortium — a related but separate claim available to a surviving spouse for the loss of companionship, affection, and support
• Punitive damages (also called double or treble damages) under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-295, which may apply if the fatal accident was caused by reckless or intentional violations of Connecticut traffic laws, such as speeding, drunk driving, or racing
• It’s also worth understanding the difference between a wrongful death claim and a survival action. A wrongful death claim compensates the family for losses stemming from the death itself, while a survival action compensates for the conscious pain, suffering, and medical costs the victim experienced between the incident and their passing. Many Waterbury wrongful death cases involve both claims at the same time, and our team evaluates each for every case we take on.

Steps to Take After Losing a Loved One to Negligence

If you believe your loved one’s death was caused by negligence, the steps you take in the days that follow can protect your family’s legal rights:

1. Obtain the official death certificate, which is required for any legal or probate proceeding
2. Preserve evidence, including photos, accident or incident reports, and medical records
3. Avoid giving a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney
4. Do not sign a settlement offer without legal review — early offers are almost always lower than fair value
5. Consult a Waterbury wrongful death lawyer promptly, since evidence and witness memory fade quickly and Connecticut’s filing deadlines apply

How Our Legal Team Can Help

At Pilicy Injury Law, our legal team is here to investigate every aspect of your loved one’s death and build a detailed case for your family. While financial compensation will never replace your loved one, it can help cover expenses and reduce the strain of the loss your family experiences.

If someone else’s actions resulted in the death of a person you love, you need to take action as swiftly as possible. Reach out to the team at Pilicy Injury Law and let us discuss your case. Recovering compensation may be more possible than you think.

FAQs

Why Should I Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer?

While a lawyer is not required in a wrongful death case, they can make all the difference when it comes to achieving your desired outcome. The process of investigating, building a case, and filing your claim can be more difficult than you realize, and having the right attorney on your side can substantially increase your chances of winning compensation for your loss.

How Can You Prove Emotional Distress in a Wrongful Death Case?

To prove emotional distress in a wrongful death case, you must provide the courts with clear proof that demonstrates the impact your daily life has suffered due to the death of your loved ones. Emotional distress often looks like a lack of sleep, anxiety, difficulty performing everyday tasks, depression, or trouble driving.

How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Wrongful Death Claim?

There is no set timeline for how long it can take to resolve a wrongful death claim in Waterbury. The timeline is often dependent on the facts of the case, such as the case’s complexity and the willingness of the involved parties to work together. If a case goes to litigation and trial, it can take significantly longer.

Is There a Statute of Limitations Placed on Wrongful Death Claims in Connecticut?

Yes. In Connecticut, a wrongful death claim generally must be filed within two years of the date of death, and no more than five years from the date of the incident that caused the death, whichever comes first. This is set out in Connecticut General Statutes § 52-555. If you miss this window, you will likely lose the right to recover compensation, so it’s important to speak with a wrongful death attorney as soon as possible after a loss.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, a wrongful death claim cannot be filed directly by family members. It must be brought by the executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate, as required under Connecticut General Statutes § 52-555. If no executor was named, the Probate Court can appoint one so the case can proceed. Compensation recovered is then distributed to the surviving spouse, children, or parents entitled to it under Connecticut law.

What Is the Difference Between a Wrongful Death Claim and a Survival Action?

A wrongful death claim seeks compensation for the losses the surviving family experiences because of the death itself, such as lost income and loss of companionship. A survival action, by contrast, compensates for the pain, suffering, and expenses the deceased personally experienced between the incident and their death. Many cases in Waterbury pursue both claims together.

Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer Serving Waterbury Families

If you have recently lost a loved one due to the negligence or recklessness of another party, you need to hire a wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible. At Pilicy Injury Law, we have successfully handled many other wrongful death cases for other clients across Connecticut, and now we turn our time and attention to your case, Waterbury. Allow us to answer all of your legal questions by contacting our offices today and scheduling your initial consultation.