West Virginia Wrongful Death Attorneys Who Will Aggressively Represent Families Who Have Lost A Loved One

The death of a loved one is often an emotionally excruciating experience. It can also be accompanied by overwhelming financial burdens that present serious questions about how you will provide for your family. 

At Crim Law, PLLC, we help families seek justice after the death of a loved one by seeking accountability from those responsible and pursuing the maximum compensation available under the law for the people we represent. Our experienced West Virginia wrongful death attorneys are seasoned litigators and tireless advocates with a track record of success in court and negotiated settlements.

We recognize there simply is no amount of money that will bring back or replace a loved one. However, families taking legal action for wrongful death can help ease some of the financial burden of losing a loved one by obtaining compensation.

How Wrongful Death Claims Work In West Virginia

A wrongful death lawsuit can be brought by certain family members of a person who has passed away, seeking compensation for the financial and other injuries they have suffered due to their death.

The most important thing that families need to know is a wrongful death lawsuit is entirely separate from any criminal prosecution of a person or entity who is responsible for the death of their loved one. 

The suit is filed in civil, rather than criminal, court. The standard is lower for proving liability for wrongful death than proving a criminal offense like manslaughter or murder. In criminal cases, prosecutors must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In wrongful death suits, a family has to show that it was more likely than not that the person or entity being sued is liable.

That means you can sue a person for wrongful death, even if they were acquitted or found not guilty in a criminal case stemming from the accident. 

Who Can Sue for Wrongful Death in West Virginia?

State law limits the right to sue for wrongful death to certain people and imposes deadlines by which you must file suit or lose the right to do so.

The following relatives of a deceased person can sue for wrongful death in West Virginia: 

• Spouse
• Children, including stepchildren and adopted children
• Parents
• Siblings
• Family members who were financially dependent on the person at the time of their death

These family members generally can seek compensation for a range of financial implications of the person’s death. That includes hospital, medical, and burial costs, along with money for the loss of the person’s monetary and emotional support.

The statute of limitations on wrongful death cases is two years. Thus, families generally have two years from the time of the death to file a lawsuit or risk losing the right to sue, with some exceptions. 

Speak with a West Virginia Wrongful Death Attorney

If you have lost a loved one in an accident, Crim Law can help. A West Virginia wrongful death attorney has dedicated their career to assisting people victimized by the negligence of others. Our office is conveniently located in Clarksburg, and we are pleased to serve clients throughout the region. Contact us online or call us at 304-918-1001 to schedule a free initial consultation with a West Virginia wrongful death attorney.