Baton Rouge Wrongful Death Lawyers

Any person who contacts a Baton Rouge wrongful death lawyer is by definition in bereavement. This is unfamiliar territory to most people under any circumstances, but particularly so due to the circumstances of the loss. People are deeply emotional, and for some the engagement of a law firm may seem out of place.

But litigation on wrongful death—what a Baton Rouge wrongful death attorney would manage—is about rectifying a very significant aspect of loss: financial hardship. All lawsuits filed on behalf of surviving family members are to cover the adverse economic effects that result from the unnecessary and untimely death of a loved one. Attorneys versed in this area of law need to be involved in the process for several reasons:

• To provide clear evidence the death was caused by a wrongful act, negligence or default
• To establish a clear case for financial compensation, accounting for all lost income as well as emotional injury to close family members and loss of consortium to the surviving spouse
• To meet statute of limitations deadlines with properly filed documents

Families of victims who work without law firm representation do so at great risk. These factors require expert witnesses whose testimony can overcome the strong defense mounted by insurance companies of the defendant. At Marks and Lear, we can help.

Who can collect in a wrongful death lawsuit

Only eligible surviving beneficiaries can collect for damages in a wrongful death suit, and those survivors by definition need to be close next-of-kin—a spouse, child, parent, guardian, siblings, legal dependents, and grandparents only. Distant relatives have no right of recovery under Louisiana law.

Note that closest kin—spouse, children or parents—take precedence in damage recovery settlements. If there is no spouse, child or parent, then siblings and grandparents may file a suit on behalf of the estate (from which they may participate as heirs of that estate).

Contact an experienced Baton Rouge wrongful death attorney

If your family has been affected by the wrongful death of a loved one, speak to a Baton Rouge personal injury lawyer from our firm. Contact Marks and Lear PLC today by calling toll free at 225-383-5678 or email us online.