Serious Personal Injury and Wrongful Death FAQs

Following are some frequently asked questions about serious personal injury and wrongful death.

Q: What is wrongful death?

A: The term “wrongful death” describes the death of a person that results from someone else’s negligence or recklessness. Auto accidents, medical malpractice, dangerous drugs or other defective products, and construction site accidents often cause wrongful death.

Q: My spouse was pursuing a personal injury case, but just passed away as a result of his injuries — what can I do now?

A: Unfortunately, this situation is not uncommon. If your loved one’s death was the direct result of a serious personal injury, you can bring a wrongful death suit against the responsible party. Just because your spouse, child, or parent was not killed immediately after the incident does not mean that their death from complications of their injuries is not wrongful. Please consult Salt Lake City wrongful death attorney Lynn Harris to speak with an attorney about your case.

Q: Since her accident, my daughter’s bills are piling up. Should I be documenting just medical fees, or all of her current expenses?

A: While a personal injury suit is underway, it is very important that victims and/or their family members keep track of all expenses for prescriptions, doctor visits, medical equipment, and other costs. In addition to saving all original receipts, we ask that you make copies of the receipts for our law firm and for your own back-up file. It is also important to keep track of all wages lost as a result of the injury. Salt Lake City injury attorney Lynn Harris can provide you with a special worksheet to help in the documentation process.

Q: What kind of damages can be collected in a wrongful death case?

A: In a wrongful death suit, damages can be awarded for:

• medical and funeral expenses
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• loss of future income and benefits
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• loss of inheritance
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• loss of companionship
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• pain and suffering to the survivors
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• general damages

In some jurisdictions it is possible to receive punitive damages as well, however this involves a higher burden of proof and could be restricted by the court.

of Lynn Harris today for more information on damages and compensation.