When a person in northern Anne Arundel County loses a loved one, the effect can be devastating. The loss is amplified if their loved one died, not due to natural causes, but due to the intentional or negligent actions of another. When a person dies due to the negligence of another and the victim’s survivors suffered a financial loss due to the death, the victim’s survivors may have the grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim. The following is an overview of wrongful death laws in Maryland.
What claims can I pursue following the preventable death of a loved one?
In Maryland, if a person’s death could have been prevented but for the negligent acts of another, there are two claims that may be pursued: wrongful death claims and survival actions.
Wrongful death claims are brought by the victim’s relatives. In such claims, the plaintiffs are pursuing compensation for the damages they themselves suffered due to the victim’s death.
Survival actions, on the other hand, are brought by the decedent’s estate. In such claims, the personal representative of the decedent’s estate is pursuing compensation for the harms the decedent suffered leading to his or her death.
What damages can I seek in a wrongful death claim?
Those who are pursuing a wrongful death claim may be able to seek a variety of damages. Of course, there are medical damages leading to the death as well as lost wages and support. However, compensation may also be sought for mental anguish, emotional pain and suffering and loss of companionship.
Seek assistance with your wrongful death claim
Ultimately, this post does not offer legal advice and should not form the basis of any wrongful death claim. Wrongful death claims can be legally complex. Thus, many people in the Severna Park area pursuing a wrongful death claim do so with the assistance of a personal injury attorney.
