The wrongful death of a loved one can reverberate throughout a family.
An accident in Plymouth, Massachusetts recently resulted in the untimely deaths of a mother and daughter and charges for the off-duty police trooper allegedly responsible for the fatal accident. The trooper is facing drunk driving and negligent operations charges related to the fatal car crash. The 64-year-old mother and her 23-year-old daughter were both killed as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. The accident remains under investigation and police have not ruled out additional charges for the trooper.
The loss of a loved one can have a traumatic impact on the lives of family members. In addition to the obvious emotional pain, other types of damages may affect family members as well. Families may be left with medical bills and expenses. Loved ones will also likely face unexpected funeral arrangements and costs which can take an emotional and economic toll on families. If the deceased was a breadwinner for the family, they may be left without a means of support.
A family has the right to file a wrongful death claim when a loved one is killed by the negligence of another person. They can recover damages for loss of companionship, loss of support and services and lost prospect of inheritance; the exact damages recoverable will depend on the circumstances of the accident and the characteristics of the victim.
A wrongful death claim can help families cope with the financial consequences of a fatal car crash. And by requiring a negligent driver to compensate the family for their loss, family members may feel some sense of justice. An experienced personal injury attorney can help guide families through the process.
Source: Telegram.com, “Police: Mass. trooper drunk at time of fatal crash,” Sept. 28, 2013
