Jefferson Davis Parish Wrongful Death Lawyer

Wrongful Death Attorney In Jefferson Davis Parish, LA

Jefferson Davis Parish benefits from jobs in the energy industry, particularly through companies such as Holston, Inc., the Manifold Valve Company, and Gauthier Brothers/Tuboscope. However, these jobs, as well as many others, are quite dangerous and could lead to fatalities. If you are experiencing the death of a loved one due to someone else’s actions, consider working with a Jefferson Davis Parish wrongful death lawyer.

Experienced Wrongful Death Attorneys in Jefferson Davis Parish

The Roach Law Firm has been operating for more than 60 years. Our compassion for our clients is one of the main reasons for our longevity. We know that families going through a wrongful death case are likely emotionally drained, so we take the time to listen and figure out a way forward for the victim’s memory and their loved ones.

What Is a Wrongful Death Case?

A wrongful death case is meant to help the family of someone who was killed due to an accident that was someone else’s fault. Proving the need for damages is similar to a personal injury claim, although wrongful death cases tend to take longer due to the higher amount required.

Steps in a Case

First, the perpetrator had to be responsible for protecting the victim. For example, they could have been performing surgery on the victim or driving on the same road. In both of these cases, the victim had the right to be treated safely by the perpetrator.

The perpetrator also had to directly cause the accident through their own actions, whether or not they meant to cause harm. Even minor incidents, like running a red light, can make a car accident fatal. Other issues, like reckless driving, can also be accounted for in a wrongful death claim.

Finally, a wrongful death claim must result from the passing of the victim. Sometimes they die almost instantly, but some individuals do not die until several days or weeks after the accident. In these cases, it must be proven that even though the victim survived for a short period of time, they ultimately succumbed to the injuries that were caused by the accident.

What Can Be Recovered?

Money that is paid out to the victim’s family in a wrongful death claim is called damages. There are many different types of damages associated with a wrongful death claim, including:

• Medical care. Victims who did not instantly die from their injuries likely went to the hospital in hopes that they could make a recovery. These expenses need to be paid, regardless of whether the victim survived. Costs are often higher due to the level of care and extent of the victim’s injuries.
• Emotional damages. The death of a loved one can lead to severe depression and anguish in the family. If the victim had children, then those children can no longer rely on their parents’ support. The victim’s spouse cannot depend on their partner for emotional support or other benefits.
• Income. Some victims of a wrongful death claim brought home a significant portion of the family’s income. If they die prematurely, this lack of income can be a detriment to the family’s well-being. A wrongful death claim can include the wages from the job the victim worked at the time, as well as their earning potential over the course of their entire life.
• Other services. Even if the victim was unemployed at the time of their death, they still might have provided other services that were important to the family. Things like childcare and home maintenance are still important and need to be compensated for the family to function normally.
• Funeral costs. Families who have an unexpected death in the family often struggle to pay for the surprise funeral and burial expenses that come with that death. Paired with medical bills and lost income, these bills can become too much for many families to bear.

Fifty percent of adults in Jefferson Davis Parish are married. If someone’s spouse dies due to an accident caused by someone else, they deserve to be compensated to address the lack of support the death caused them.

Why Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer?

The Roach Law Firm has handled a variety of wrongful death cases. Whether your loved one died from a workplace accident, a car accident, or another incident, it’s likely that we’ve worked with a case similar to yours. This gives us more leverage to make sure we get it right.

FAQs

What Is the Difference Between Wrongful Death and Personal Injury?

The difference between wrongful death and personal injury is the extent of the injuries. In both scenarios, someone was injured due to another person’s negligence, resulting in an accident. In a personal injury case, this only led to injuries. In a wrongful death case, the negligence directly led to the victim’s death.

How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Louisiana?

The typical time limit to file a wrongful death claim in Louisiana is one year after the person died. This can be a different date from the date the accident occurred. If it took a significant amount of time for the person to die from their injuries, then the two-year limit from when the accident happened might be used instead.

What Are the Grounds for Wrongful Death?

The grounds for wrongful death include proving that the person who caused the accident had some kind of responsibility to protect the victim. If this connection is established, then the perpetrator’s negligence or recklessness must be linked to the accident. The accident then had to have directly caused the death of the victim.

What Is the Wrongful Death Cap in Louisiana?

The wrongful death cap in Louisiana only applies to medical malpractice claims. Unrelated wrongful death claims do not have a cap on the amount of damages you can recover. The cap for wrongful death caused by medical malpractice in Louisiana is $500,000. This means this amount is the most you can recover for a victim who died due to medical malpractice.

Get Help for Your Lost Loved Ones

Nearly eighteen percent of people in Jefferson Davis Parish live below the poverty line. This means that access to basic burial and funeral services for loved ones might be hard to come by. For assistance with covering the expenses associated with the unexpected death of a loved one, schedule a consultation with The Roach Law Firm for help.