Chelsea Wrongful Death Lawyers Seek Compensation for Clients

Massachusetts firm offers reliable legal guidance during a difficult time

When a family member dies in a car crash or some other unexpected incident, taking legal action might seem like an afterthought. A wrongful death lawsuit must be filed within three years of the fatality in Massachusetts, but the longer one waits, the more difficult it might be to develop a strong legal argument. At Georges Cote LLP in Chelsea, we assist estate representatives and grieving loved ones in pursuing wrongful death claims against the people and businesses responsible for their terrible loss.

Dedicated attorneys handle cases arising from fatal accidents

If someone’s negligence or intentional act results in another person’s fatality, the executor or administrator of the victim’s estate can pursue relief through a wrongful death suit. Any financial recovery goes to the estate and then is distributed to surviving beneficiaries. We handle all types of wrongful death actions, including those stemming from:

• Vehicle accidents — Following a fatal vehicle accident, we handle insurance negotiations and can retain crash reconstruction specialists and other experts if there is a question about who was responsible for the collision.
• Unsafe premises — Inadequate security, a hazard that is not marked or an unsafe walking surface could lead to tragedy. If a loved one died because someone else did not take proper care of their premises, our firm can advise you of your legal options.
• Defective products — We take on manufacturers and sellers who put deadly defective items on the market. Whether your particular claim arises from a faulty household appliance, vehicle, prescription drug or other product, we’ll fight to establish the negligent parties’ liability.

The legal standards that apply in these matters are similar to those used in personal injury cases, but the stakes can be much higher, because instead of physical harm that should heal in a short time, plaintiffs are seeking justice for a permanent loss.

Damages in survival and wrongful death actions under Massachusetts law

No payment obtained through a verdict or settlement can adequately address the loss that loved ones experience after an untimely fatality. However, compensation through a verdict or settlement does provide some relief and accountability. After someone dies due to someone else’s carelessness or willful misconduct, there are two main types of legal actions that can be brought. Wrongful death claims are designed to compensate the loved ones who have been deprived of financial, emotional and household support because of the untimely fatality.

Massachusetts law also authorizes survival claims, under which compensation can be awarded to the decedent’s estate for harm that the victim experienced. In other words, these are legal actions that the victim could have brought on their own, but “survive” their death. Survival claim damages can include reimbursement for medical bills incurred by the decedent before he or she died. When a fatality is caused by a defendant’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, punitive damages might also be available.

Knowledgeable lawyers take on medical malpractice claims

One error by a healthcare provider might do permanent harm. If someone close to you died because a doctor, nurse or hospital failed to honor their professional standards, we can pursue damages through a medical malpractice action. This type of litigation is more complex than other types of personal injury litigation. When we take your case, we prepare an offer of proof backed by expert medical testimony to demonstrate the worthiness of your claim. Whether your tragic loss resulted from a surgical error, misdiagnosis or some other problem, our attorneys have the skill and experience to assert your legal rights.

Contact a Massachusetts attorney for a free consultation regarding your wrongful death claim

Georges Cote LLP advises Massachusetts clients on wrongful death litigation stemming from instances of fatal negligence. Please call 617-884-1000 or contact us online to make an appointment for a free consultation at our Chelsea office.