Reno Wrongful Death Attorney

The death of a loved one seriously impacts a family on many levels. The emotional pain can last for a very long time. The same can be said for the financial burdens. All of those feelings and loss are compounded when the negligence of some other person caused the death. In that situation, the loss is considered a wrongful death, and the family is entitled to seek a remedy.

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.

Schedule a complimentary initial consultation with a wrongful death lawyer in Reno. 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 our Reno wrongful death lawyer is free.

Causes of Preventable Deaths in Washoe County

When filing a wrongful death claim, it is vital to establish the cause surrounding the incident to assign liability and hold the at-fault person responsible. 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’s 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 attorney 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.

Who is Eligible to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

When someone passes, they leave behind an estate. That is true of every individual regardless of their economic status or number of property assets. An estate is anything of value left behind to be disbursed to the surviving family according to the will. An estate will also have an executor tasked with ensuring the disbursement happens as it should. Of course, many folks do not have a will or established executor. In that scenario, the surviving family members can file the claim. There is a hierarchy that the Nevada law allows based on the following order of seniority in the family:

• Spouse or domestic partner
• Children
• Parents
• Siblings
• The closest surviving family members can include siblings, nieces, and nephews.

It is important to note that only one claim can be filed on behalf of the surviving family. Find out your options by talking to our Reno wrongful death lawyer.

When Can You File a Wrongful Death Claim in Nevada?

A wrongful death claim can be complex because of the implications against the at-fault party. In essence, you are blaming them for the death of your loved one. To prevail, 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

One of the other reasons these claims are complex is that there could be multiple parties or entities to hold responsible. In a trucking accident, mitigating factors might implicate the trucking company that hired the driver, the crew that loaded the truck, or the manufacturer that made a defective part.

You and your wrongful death lawyer in Reno will need to present evidence, including medical reports, police crash reports (if applicable), witness statements, and expert testimony.

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 is, 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. If you do not file within two years, 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 accompanying 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, our Reno wrongful death lawyer will 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 an experienced wrongful death attorney in Reno and learn more about your next steps.