Reno Wrongful Death Attorney
The Law Office of Matthew L. Sharp represents the surviving family members of individuals who are killed by the negligence of people, products, or companies. If you feel that your loved one’s death was due to a preventable cause, you may be eligible to seek compensation by filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
Call or fill out our confidential online contact form to schedule a complimentary initial consultation with a Reno wrongful death lawyer. When meeting, we’ll want to learn more about the events leading up to your loved one’s passing before discussing any right you may have to make a financial recovery.
Your initial consultation with an attorney is free.
When Can You File a Wrongful Death Claim in Nevada?
Whether or not the death of a loved one was caused by an intentional act or unintentional mistake (negligence), the heirs of the deceased are lawfully entitled to be compensated for the negligence of another person or company. This includes the family of the decedent, such as surviving spouses, children and, in some cases, parents.
Nevada law dictates which of a decedent’s family members may qualify to receive compensation. The decedent’s will also determines estate distribution. Usually, only immediate family members qualify to receive proceeds.
You must be able to establish the following elements to file a wrongful death claim:
- A human being must have died
- The death must be caused by the negligence of another
- There must be surviving family members or dependents who depended on the decedent for financial support
- A personal representative for the decedent’s estate must be appointed
Causes of Preventable Deaths in Washoe County
Many circumstances may be blamed for a wrongful death, including:
- Car crashes or trucking accidents caused by distracted or drunk driving, failures to obey traffic laws, defective auto parts (i.e., faulty brakes or defective tires)
- Medical malpractice, such as a failure to diagnose cancer, properly treat a known condition or administer the wrong type or dose of a medication
- A defective consumer product like a car airbag, a baby’s crib, a stroller, or even medical equipment like hip replacement devices
- Workplace violence due to negligent security issues
The list above certainly isn’t comprehensive, but instead it is meant to provide examples of dangerous choices or scenarios that can give way to a person prematurely passing away and allow a family like yours to take legal action in Washoe County. A Reno wrongful death lawyer in our office can review what happened to your close relative to see if it meets the necessary grounds for you to file a civil lawsuit.
What Damages Can I Recover by Taking Legal Action in Reno?
When a wrongful death occurs, surviving family members like you can file a lawsuit against the responsible parties, which can include anyone responsible for what happened, including individuals or companies.
Some of the damages that you may be able to recover by taking legal action include:
- Loss of emotional and financial support
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of prospective inheritance and services
- Medical and funeral expenses
- Punitive damages in cases where egregious conduct was involved
The Statute of Limitations That Applies to Nevada Death Cases
No matter how egregious a wrongful death was, there is a time limit to when it is legally possible to file a lawsuit. In Nevada, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the death. After that time, plaintiffs like you may lose your right to bring the case to court.
Contact a Reno Wrongful Death Lawyer
Losing a loved one prematurely is a traumatic and exceptionally difficult situation to manage. Adding in a legal battle and the drawn-out process that comes along with it makes it even more so.
At the Law Office of Matthew L. Sharp, we have years of experience fighting for and securing the maximum possible compensation for our clients. If someone you love died as a result of someone else’s recklessness or wrongful actions, we are ready to serve as your advocate during all of the legal proceedings so you can focus on healing and moving forward with your life.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Reno wrongful death lawyer and learn more about the next steps you can take.
