Salt Lake City Wrongful Death Attorney

The loss of a loved one can be a traumatizing, heartbreaking experience. While no amount of money can bring them back, filing a wrongful death suit can at least help lessen the financial implications. An experienced Salt Lake City wrongful death attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.

When should I call a Salt Lake City wrongful death attorney?

You should call a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to protect your legal rights and be able to file a claim within the required timeframe if:

The death of a person is caused by another individual’s negligence or wrongful act
The death of a person is caused by someone else’s criminal act, whether they were charged or not
The death of a person is caused by the wrongful act or omission of another concerning anything for which one would have a remedy against a common carrier

What types of damages can be recovered in a wrongful death suit?

The two types of damages that may be awarded by a jury in Utah include economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

They refer to the financial losses you’ve suffered as a result of your loss. They include:

Funeral costs and expenses: These are the direct expenses associated with the funeral. They include transportation, burial plot, flowers, obituary notices, and costs related to preparing paperwork.
Loss of financial contribution: This refers to the income your loved ones would have earned in their lifetime if they hadn’t died. For example, if you lost a spouse who had been employed full-time for several years and was going to retire within five years of their death.
Medical costs and expenses: Utah law allows for compensation of medical costs associated with the victim’s injury. These include but are not limited to medical bills, including ambulance fees and hospitalizations.

Non-economic damages

They refer to losses that cannot be measured in terms of finances. They include:

Loss of future household services: This includes any lost profits from your loved one’s contribution to their household, including childcare, cooking, and cleaning. This form of damage is usually awarded if the person who died was a stay-at-home parent or spouse at the time of their death.
Loss of companionship: This is also known as the “loss of consortium,” which awards compensation for the loss of love, affection, comfort, care, assistance, protection, or sexual relations.
Pain and suffering: Utah Law recognizes two types of pain and suffering claims.

General pain and suffering: It covers all kinds of non-economic damage arising from an incident, such as physical aches and mental stress.
Emotional pain and suffering: It refers to injuries that cause severe mental anguish.

Utah law also provides for a “sliding scale,” meaning that the longer the pain and suffering, the greater the damages awarded.
Punitive damages: A jury might award punitive damages above and beyond compensatory or general damages if a defendant’s actions were particularly egregious or reprehensible. This is often reserved for the most extreme cases of gross negligence.

Who is responsible for a wrongful death?

In Utah, there are no statutory provisions for determining who is liable in wrongful death cases. That task falls to common law, which requires the plaintiff to prove that their loved one was killed due to another person’s action or negligence. This includes not only negligent acts such as car accidents or premise liability cases but also intentional acts such as assault and battery.

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Salt Lake City Wrongful Death Attorney Near You

Below are the factors to consider when scouting for a Salt Lake City Wrongful Death Attorney

Experience

Look for an attorney with experience in dealing with wrongful death cases. They will be able to give you sound advice and guidance during your case. It is always better to have more experienced attorneys on your side.

Resources

An experienced Salt Lake City wrongful death attorney will have the necessary resources to seek justice for you, including expert witnesses, investigators, and other support staff.

The lawyer should also be able to handle any appeals that may arise during your claim. They should also allocate special attention to these aspects of the case.

Reasonable attorney fees

Most experienced attorneys in Utah will not charge you any fees to discuss your wrongful death case. Ensure to inquire about how they assess their fees before you sign any agreement or contract.

Communication

Effective and timely communication is always paramount when discussing the details of your case with your preferred attorney. Look for a law firm offering free initial consultation and responding to your questions promptly.

Answers for your questions

Who can sue for wrongful death in Utah?

Any family member of the deceased can recover damages for their loss in Utah. This includes parents, children, siblings, and grandchildren. The Utah Code defines an individual’s closest relatives as the ones they are “most likely to provide for or assist.” This list also gives priority to those closest to the deceased before those more distant.

How long do you have to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Utah?

Utah generally follows a two-year statute of limitations. This means you have a period of two years from the time your loved one dies to sue for wrongful death. Any claims filed after the two years will likely be dismissed by the Utah courts.

What questions should I ask a Salt Lake City wrongful death attorney?

Do you have experience with wrongful death cases?
Do you offer free consultation and updates on the case as it progresses?
Do you have the necessary resources to go up against big insurance companies?
How long after my loved one’s death can I file a suit?
What steps should I take to ensure my case is strong?
How long do you expect this case to take to get resolved?

Salt Lake City Wrongful Death Attorney

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