Wrongful Death Damages in Providence Rhode Island

Deaths caused by the negligence, recklessness, or wrongdoing of another give you a right to recover monetary damages by bringing an action for the wrongful death of your loved one. However, if you have lost a loved one, you know better than anyone that money alone can never truly compensate you and your family. Be that as it may, money is the only legal remedy available in these difficult situations and you should receive monetary damages for your loss. Providence wrongful death lawyers are experienced in assessing monetary awards and know what type of a settlement or award you might be able to expect from your claim.

When determining the value of any Providence personal injury or wrongful death case, you must first consider the type and degree of loss or injury involved. The most severe loss is, of course, death, and there is a body of law dealing specifically with death. If your loved one has been involved in a tragic accident and died as a result, contact one of the Providence wrongful death attorneys listed above today to discuss your options. 

Providence Wrongful Death Lawyer

Rhode Island is one of the few states with an in depth set of laws covering wrongful death cases. Rhode Island has a unique law that places a minimum recovery of $250,000 on wrongful death cases. If it can be shown that someone caused the wrongful death of another, the estate will be entitled to at least $250,000 in damages. This and other Rhode Island Wrongful Death laws can be found in Laws of Rhode Island: Title 10 - Chapter 7:

• 10-7-1. Liability for damages for causing death
• 10-7-1.1. Pecuniary damages--How determined
• 10-7-1.2. Liability for loss of consortium--Liability for loss of society and companionship
• 10-7-2. Persons who may bring actions--Limitation of actions--Minimum recovery period
• 10-7-3. Action by beneficiaries
• 10-7-4. Cause surviving death of person liable
• 10-7-5. Liability for medical expense and diminution of earning power
• 10-7-6. Executor or administrator to bring s. 10-7-5 action--Amount recovered to estate
• 10-7-7. Pain and suffering recoverable--Limitation of action
• 10-7-7.1. Punitive damages
• 10-7-8. Cause surviving death of person liable
• 10-7-9. Criminal proceedings not prerequisite
• 10-7-10. Damages not to estate or asset of estate
• 10-7-11. Applicability to pending actions
• 10-7-12. Applicability to actions commenced after passage
• 10-7-13. Severability
• 10-7-14. ''Homemaker'' defined

What legal actions should you take if your loved one has recently passed away?

When a family member or close friend passes on, it can be extremely difficult to think of all the mundane tasks that must be accomplished to get their estate in order, deal with bank accounts, pension funds, social security benefits, and any potential lawsuit you may want to pursue related to their death. If your loved one has been been killed in a wrongful death accident, you may feel lost and need guidance on your proper course of action. Click here for a detailed list of steps you should take following the death of a family member. In most cases, an executor or administrator of the deceased person is placed in charge of the estate, and this person brings the lawsuit. Specific damages are allowed for certain family members, including:

(a) Whenever the death of a married person shall be caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another person, the decedent's spouse may recover damages against the person for loss of consortium.

(b) Whenever the death of a parent or parents of a son or daughter shall be caused by the wrongful act, neglect or default of another person, the son or daughter may recover damages against the person for the loss of parental society and companionship.

(c) Whenever the death of a son or daughter shall be caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another person, the parent or parents of the son or daughter may recover damages against the person for the loss of the son's or daughter's society and companionship. (10-7-1.2. Liability for loss of consortium--Liability for loss of society and companionship).

What are the types of damages available when someone is killed through negligence?

The discussion above centered on which relatives and close family members have status to file a wrongful death claim. This section will explain what monetary damages are recoverable under Rhode Island law. Providence area claimants are entitled to damages for: 

1. Immediate Expenses associated with the death (e.g. medical and funeral);
2. Loss of benefits as a result of the victim's death;
3. Any loss of inheritance that comes from the untimely demise of the victim;
4. Loss of the victim's future earnings until the age of his estimated retirement or death;
5. The pain and suffering or mental anguish endured by the survivors;
6. Loss of companionship, care and protection by the survivors from the victims death; and
7. General & punitive damages.  

If you or your family members have witnessed a loved one who is a close relative being injured due to negligence or intentional wrongdoing, and are now suffering mental anguish as a result, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a Providence personal injury attorney or Providence wrongful death lawyer today to discuss your legal rights and remedies.

Negligent or Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

In some cases, Rhode Island families may be put through severe emotional trauma and anguish due to the negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing of another party. When this occurs, a Providence personal injury attorney can help them pursue a claim for Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress (NIED) or Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED). This claim may be brought in addition to other claims for monetary damages, and is often brought by the family members of an injury victim or deceased family member, for example, after witnessing a severe trauma inflicted upon their loved one. The specifics of when this type of claim can be brought are very complicated, but if you or your family members have witnessed a loved one who is a close relative being injured or killed due to negligence or intentional wrongdoing, and are now suffering mental anguish as a result, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a Providence or Providence County personal injury attorney today to discuss your legal rights and remedies.

Providence wrongful death attorneys represent clients in claims involving a wide range of accidents and catastrophes and have the experience and skill necessary to get the job done right. Knowledge of a potential damage award is crucial to settling or successfully prosecuting any claim for wrongful death, and a Providence wrongful death lawyer's experience with these types of cases can help you assess your options from the get-go.

Local Providence resources for those who have suffered the death of a loved one:    

After a loved one has died, the last thing on your mind should be a difficult legal battle or lawsuit. However, if the death was due to negligence, recklessness, or malicious conduct, you may feel it is your duty to take legal action. In such cases, Providence wrongful death attorneys can help you prepare your lawsuit, by arranging crucial witnesses, documentation, and evidence to present a strong case on behalf of your deceased family member. After a death, you may also find yourself in charge of preparing funeral arrangements and feel overwhelmed by small details in the face of such a traumatic experience. The following resources for funeral homes and florists may be helpful as you and your family prepare to bid your loved one farewell.

Funeral Homes:

Where can you find a Providence Personal Injury Attorney to represent you?

Serving clients throughout Eastern New Hampshire, including Allenton, Ashaway, Attleboro, Bayside, Boston, Bradford, Cambridge, Chepachet, Cranston, Cumberland Hill, East Greenwich, Exeter, Fort Ninigret, Greenville, Harrisville, Hartford, Hope Valley, Kingston, Misquamicut, New Haven, Nooseneck, North Scituate, North Swansea, Pawtucket, Perryville, Providence, Rumford, Shannock, Springfield, Usquepaug, Valley Falls, Wakefield, Warwick, Washington, West Warwick, Westerly, Wood River Junction, Woonsocket, Worcestor, areas in the vicinity of Theodore Francis Green Memorial State Airport, and other communities in Providence County.

Contact a Providence, Rhode Island wrongful death lawyer today.