Experienced Wrongful Death Attorney in Washington D.C. and Maryland
Wrongful death can happen due to several different causes. If you have lost someone as a result of another party’s negligent or wrongful actions, you may be entitled to compensation for your loss. Our Maryland wrongful death attorneys can help you with this. Call us at (202) 717-6410 and we will be happy to evaluate your case for you for free.
What are the different causes of wrongful death?
Wrongful death can happen due to many reasons. The most common causes of wrongful death in Maryland are:
- Car Accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Accidents at work
- Defective Products
- Semi-Truck Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Aviation Accidents
Who can file a Maryland or Washington D.C. wrongful death lawsuit?
In Maryland, the law permits the family of the deceased person to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This could be the decedent’s spouse, parents, sibling(s), and/or children. In cases where nobody in the groups mentioned above are alive, then anybody related to the deceased by blood or marriage may file the lawsuit. However, the person must have been substantially dependent on the deceased.
In Washington D.C., wrongful death lawsuits are brought by the personal representative of the estate of the deceased. Pursuant to Section 20-303, a surviving spouse or domestic partner, or children of an intestate decedent may be appointed as a personal representative.
No matter who is filing the lawsuit, the personal representative generally has two years from the date of the victim’s death to file in Washington D.C. and three years from the date of the victim’s death in Maryland.
For a better understanding of what is required to file a wrongful death lawsuit, contact Heavenson Law Group, PLLC today for assistance.
What types of damages are possible in a Maryland wrongful death case?
Damages, another word for compensation are awarded to the survivors of the deceased to compensate them for the injuries they suffered because of their loved one’s death. Maryland laws allow for compensation in the following categories:
- Financial contributions the deceased would have made if he or she survived
- Mental anguish, emotional pain, and suffering
- Loss of society, companionship, comfort, and protection
- Loss of marital care, parental care, or filial care
- Loss of attention, advice, counsel, training, guidance, or education
Maryland laws institute caps for non-economic damages in wrongful death lawsuits. Non-economic damages are awards that cannot be physically quantified with bills or receipts. They include damages for mental anguish, loss of companionship, and attention, to mention a few.
Currently in Maryland, the cap on noneconomic damages in a wrongful death case if there is only one beneficiary is $845,000. (Subject to change). The amount is $1,056,250 with two or more death beneficiaries.
Let us help
At Heavenson Law Group, PLLC, our Maryland wrongful death attorneys have extensive experience and want to aid you in your case. Call our office today at (202) 717-6410 to schedule a free case evaluation.