Baltimore Wrongful Death Lawyer
It is possible to die in any type of accident. In some cases, accident victims die immediately from the injuries they suffer. In other cases, they die in the days, weeks, or months after the accident from the injuries they sustained. In all cases where a victim dies because of another party’s negligence, the victim’s loved ones may file a wrongful death claim to pursue monetary compensation for their related damages.
A wrongful death claim is not a type of personal injury claim. Although there are similarities between these two types of claim, it is important to note that a wrongful death claim is a distinct type of legal claim and thus, subject to different filing laws and protocol than a personal injury claim. Baltimore wrongful death lawyer Hasson D. Barnes has extensive experience in this field and he is ready to help you with your case.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Maryland?
In Maryland, there are two categories of individuals who may file wrongful death claims: primary beneficiaries and secondary beneficiaries. Primary beneficiaries include:
- The victim’s spouse;
- The victim’s parents; and
- The victim’s children.
When a primary beneficiary files a wrongful death claim, the damages are solely awarded to that beneficiary. Secondary beneficiaries include:
- Siblings;
- Cousins; and
- Other relatives.
A secondary beneficiary may file a wrongful death claim when there is no primary beneficiary or if there is not one who can file the claim. In this second scenario, the secondary beneficiary may file a wrongful death claim on behalf of both the primary and secondary beneficiaries.
Wrongful Death Damages
Through a wrongful death claim, a claimant may pursue monetary compensation for the following:
- Funeral and burial costs;
- The victim’s medical care related to his or her injury between the accident and his or her death;
- The victim’s pain and suffering;
- The victim’s property damage;
- The survivors’ loss of the victim’s financial support; and
- The survivors’ loss of the victim’s companionship, love, and care.
Of these damages categories, only the last two are compensated directly to the claimant. The other damages, those suffered by the victim’s estate, are compensated to the estate. In Maryland, there is a $2 million cap on non-economic damages in wrongful death claims.
Pursuing a Wrongful Death Claim
With a wrongful death claim, the claimant must provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate that his or her loved one’s death was the result of another party’s negligence. This can be achieved with evidence like:
- The victim’s medical bills;
- Testimony from the victim’s doctor;
- Photographs of the accident;
- Official police documentation of the accident scene; and
- Eyewitness accounts of the accident.
A Baltimore Wrongful Death Lawyer can Help you Recover your Losses
At the Law Office of Hasson D. Barnes, LLC, we understand the personal challenges you face when you lose a loved one in an accident. Although we cannot replace your loved one’s place in your life, we can work with you to pursue financial compensation for the losses you and the deceased’s estate experienced. Contact our office at 443-423-0548 today to set up your initial consultation with an experienced Baltimore wrongful death lawyer.
