After the unexpected loss of a loved one, families often struggle with funeral expenses, lost income, and uncertainty about their financial future. If you lost a family member in a preventable accident, a Minneapolis personal injury lawyer can help you seek justice.
Postman Law has won more than $3 billion for clients like you. If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness, a wrongful death lawyer in Minneapolis can take on your case and help you obtain the compensation you are entitled to.
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?
A wrongful death claim is a civil legal action brought when a person’s death results from another party’s negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct. Unlike criminal cases, wrongful death claims seek financial compensation for surviving family members.
The purpose of a wrongful death lawsuit is to hold the responsible party accountable and compensate surviving relatives for losses resulting from the death.
For a free legal consultation with a wrongful death lawyer serving Minneapolis, call 844-767-8626
The Role of a Minneapolis Wrongful Death Lawyer
A wrongful death claim requires an extensive investigation. Our Minneapolis wrongful death lawyers can step in and help with your case by:
- Investigating the fatal accident: We can collect evidence, review records, interview witnesses, and determine how the fatal incident occurred and who is liable.
- Calculating damages: We can evaluate both your economic and non-economic losses to determine the value of your claim.
- Handling insurance companies: We can communicate with insurers and work to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
- Representing you in court: If a settlement isn’t possible, we can file a lawsuit and fight for you and your family in court.
Minneapolis Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me 844-767-8626
Evidence That Can Strengthen a Wrongful Death Claim
Successful wrongful death cases are typically built on substantial evidence demonstrating liability and damages. Examples of important evidence include:
- Police and accident reports
- Historial médico
- Autopsy findings
- Declaraciones de los testigos
- Photographs and videos
- Surveillance footage
- Cell phone records
- Employment records
- Financial documents
- Expert opinions
- Vehicle data and black box information
- Maintenance and inspection records
The specific evidence needed depends on the circumstances surrounding the death.
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What Is the Average Settlement for Wrongful Death in Minnesota?
Since every case is unique, there is no importe promedio de liquidación for a wrongful death case in Minnesota. Payouts can range from the low six figures to over $1 million, depending on factors such as:
- The age of the deceased
- The deceased’s income and earning capacity
- The extent of emotional losses suffered by your family
- Medical expenses the deceased incurred before death
- Funeral and burial costs
- Insurance policy limits
- The degree of fault assigned to the at-fault party
What Types of Damages Are Available?
Potential damages in your wrongful death case include:
- Loss of financial support the deceased would have provided
- Medical expenses related to the deceased’s final injury or illness
- Gastos funerarios y de sepelio
- Loss of services, care, guidance, and assistance
- Loss of companionship and emotional support
- Loss of advice and counsel provided by the deceased
- Loss of future earnings and benefits
- Punitive damages (in rare cases)
How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Minnesota?
Según Minnesota Statute § 573.02, you generally have three years from the date of your loved one’s death to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Minnesota. Your claim must also be filed within six years of the original act or omission that caused their death (whichever deadline comes first).
Different deadlines may apply in cases involving medical malpractice or government entities. If you fail to file your claim before the applicable deadline, you will likely lose the right to pursue compensation altogether, which is why it’s important to work with a wrongful death attorney in Minneapolis.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, a wrongful death claim can only be filed by a court-appointed trustee. The trustee pursues the claim on behalf of all eligible beneficiaries and seeks compensation for the losses you and your family have suffered.
Potential beneficiaries of these claims may include:
- Spouses
- Children
- Parents
- Siblings
- Grandparents
- Other next of kin (in certain circumstances
How Do You Prove Negligence?
To succeed in a wrongful death case, you must prove that another party’s negligence caused your loved one’s death. This typically requires establishing the following elements:
- Deber de diligencia: The defendant owed your loved one a legal duty of care.
- Breach of duty: The defendant failed to meet that duty of care through negligent, reckless, or wrongful conduct.
- Causalidad: The defendant’s actions directly caused or substantially contributed to your loved one’s death.
- Daños y perjuicios: You and other surviving family members suffered losses as a result of the death.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Minneapolis
Wrongful death claims can arise from many different types of incidents. Some of the most common ones include:
- Motor vehicle accidents: Distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, fatigue, or other negligent behavior can result in fatal crashes.
- Negligencia médica: Misdiagnoses, delayed diagnoses, surgical mistakes, medication errors, anesthesia errors, and other forms of negligent healthcare can have fatal consequences.
- Accidentes laborales: Construction sites, factories, warehouses, and other workplaces can expose workers to life-threatening hazards.
- Defective products: Dangerous products may cause fatal accidents if they contain manufacturing defects.
- Premises liability accidents: Property owners may be liable when dangerous conditions on their premises contribute to a fatal injury.
- Criminal acts: Assaults, shootings, and other intentional acts can provide grounds for wrongful death claims in addition to any criminal proceedings.
- Nursing home negligence: Abuse, neglect, medication mistakes, dehydration, malnutrition, and inadequate supervision in long-term care facilities can result in preventable deaths.
Consult a Wrongful Death Attorney in Minneapolis
The loss of a loved one can affect a family for years. If you lost a relative as a result of someone else’s negligence, a Minneapolis wrongful death attorney from Postman Law can guide you through the process of filing a claim and help you secure fair compensation.
Schedule a free case review to find out how you can pursue justice.