Losing a loved one is devastating. Losing them because of someone else’s negligence or recklessness is even worse. The emotional pain of losing your family member is compounded by funeral expenses, loss of income, medical bills, and related expenses.
Connecticut allows a deceased person’s estate representative to file a wrongful death claim. If successful, this claim provides the estate’s beneficiaries with compensation for what they’ve suffered. While no amount of money can undo such a painful loss, it can provide an invaluable safety net during a difficult time—as well as a measure of justice for something that never should have happened.
Stanfield Bechtel Law’s wrongful death attorneys have decades of experience fighting for our clients in Connecticut. If your loved one died due to someone else’s actions, contact us right away. We’ll work tirelessly to get the compensation and accountability you deserve.
What is a Wrongful Death Claim?
Wrongful death lawsuits are filed when a person dies as a result of another’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional act.
In a normal personal injury claim, the injured party is the plaintiff. When the injured party dies, however, they can’t file a claim. Instead, their estate acts as the plaintiff. Connecticut General Statutes § 52-555 allows the deceased’s estate representative to file a civil lawsuit on the estate’s behalf.
These claims are a type of personal injury lawsuit. Common types of wrongful death claims include:
- Medical malpractice
- Vehicle, pedestrian, and bike accidents
- Injuries from defective products
- Workplace accidents
- Construction accidents
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Connecticut?
Connecticut has specific rules governing wrongful death claims. Unlike many other states, only the deceased’s estate representative (also known as an administrator or executor) can file a wrongful death claim.
If the lawsuit is successful, any financial compensation is distributed to the beneficiaries of the estate. This typically includes surviving spouses and family members.
Damages for Wrongful Death Claims
\Wrongful death lawsuits are civil actions. While defendants may also face criminal charges, depending on the case, a wrongful death claim helps recover financial compensation to benefit the estate beneficiaries. The goal is to restore the beneficiaries to the financial position they would be in before their family member’s death.
There are three main types of damages the estate can recover:
- Economic damages: Economic damages compensate for any financial losses the surviving beneficiaries suffer because of the death. This typically includes medical expenses, funeral costs, lost wages, and lost future income.
- Non-economic damages: Unlike economic damages, which are calculated from bills and projected future income, non-economic damages cover non-financial harm like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of companionship.
- Punitive damages: Punitive damages are awarded when a defendant has acted intentionally or recklessly. While non-economic and economic damages are meant to compensate for losses, punitive damages are designed to punish the defendant. Punitive damages are awarded only in rare instances.
Stanfield Bechtel Law’s wrongful death attorneys can review your claim and explain the types of damages the estate is most likely to recover.
How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim?
If you intend to file a wrongful death claim, it’s important to act quickly. Connecticut has a two-year filing period for most wrongful death claims. If you miss the deadline, your claim will not be allowed to move forward.
The filing period, called the statute of limitations, begins on the date of death. However, there are exceptions. The two-year statute of limitations is waived when the deceased died in certain circumstances, including:
- Murder, felony murder, arson murder, or murder with special circumstances
- Manslaughter in the first degree, or manslaughter in the first degree with a firearm
To qualify for a waiver, the defendant must have either been convicted of murder in a criminal court or found not guilty “by reason of mental disease or defect.”
Finally, there are limited exceptions for situations where the estate was unaware of the defendant’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions until later. These exceptions are typically granted in cases where a defendant tried to conceal their actions, or health problems developed slowly over time.
In most cases, the two-year statute of limitations applies. Contact Stanfield Bechtel Law as soon as possible to ensure you don’t lose your chance to file a claim.
Proving Liability in a Wrongful Death Claim
Wrongful death claims are often complex. A plaintiff must prove that the defendant had a responsibility to keep the deceased safe. They also must show that the defendant acted negligently, recklessly, or intentionally. These actions must have directly caused the death. Finally, a plaintiff must show that they suffered harm (non-economic and economic) as a result.
Evidence for wrongful death claims often includes eyewitness testimony, medical records, accident or incident reports, and expert testimony. Your wrongful death lawyer will thoroughly investigate the claim and work with experts to maximize the estate’s damages.
Why You Need a Stanfield Bechtel Law Wrongful Death Attorney
Working with Stanfield Bechtel Law ensures that you have a knowledgeable, compassionate advocate on your side throughout the process. Our attorneys have over four decades of combined experience representing personal injury and wrongful death claims, with verdicts ranging from $70,000 to $7 million. Most importantly, we work on a contingency basis, which means you won’t pay us unless we win—and our fee is significantly lower than other personal injury firms.
While many wrongful death claims settle out of court, working with a skilled attorney is important. Our firm combines deep subject matter knowledge and unyielding advocacy to maximize compensation and hold defendants accountable.
From the initial investigation to consulting expert witnesses, we’ll put together a compelling case and negotiate for a fair settlement. If we can’t come to an agreement out of court, our attorneys are prepared to take your case to trial. Our lawyers fight aggressively on your behalf, so your family can focus on healing.
Contact Stanfield Bechtel Law for a Free Consultation
If you’ve lost a loved one due to someone else’s actions, please remember that you don’t have to navigate the legal system alone. Grief can be overwhelming—you need a tough advocate on your side. Stanfield Bechtel Law is passionate about getting justice for Connecticut families.
Act quickly to protect your rights. Contact us today for a free consultation, and learn how our wrongful death attorneys can help you get the compensation and accountability your family deserves.