Wrongful Death Lawsuits
As Michigan accident and injury lawyers, we often represent family members of a person who died or was killed as a result of the negligence of another person, corporation, or other entity. A case seeking damages for the loss of a family members is filed as a Michigan Wrongful Death Lawsuit.
A Michigan wrongful death lawsuit asserts that the victim was killed or died as a result of the negligence of an individual, city, business, or doctor/hospital. If this can be proven, the victim’s relatives are entitled to money damages resulting from the death. These damages include loss of earnings, loss of services, loss of society and companionship, and other types of damages.
In a wrongful death case, the family member has a Personal Representative appointed who hires a lawyer to bring the lawsuit on behalf of the family. If the family cannot agree on who should be appointed, the probate court judge makes the decision. When the lawsuit settles, all family members have the opportunity to agree to the manner in which the settlement money will be shared amongst themselves, but if they cannot do so, the court makes the final determination.
It is important to hire an attorney who specializes in Michigan Wrongful Death Lawsuits. The laws for these cases are complex and technical and the failure to specifically follow those requirements can destroy your case.