Accidents claim the lives of thousands of people each year in Arizona. CLS Law is dedicated to helping surviving family members left behind pursue compensation for their losses and seek justice. In Arizona, a wrongful death claim is a specialized type of personal injury claim. It seeks financial compensation for surviving family members who have lost a beloved family member due to someone else’s negligence or intentional acts. You can force the responsible parties to pay compensation for medical expenses, funeral expenses, and emotional distress.

Reach out to our law firm as soon as possible. We know that this is a difficult time, but you must meet critical deadlines, otherwise, you cannot hold the negligent party accountable.

Arizona’s Wrongful Death Law

The main wrongful death law is found at Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-611, which states that a wrongful death is any caused by the default, neglect, or wrongful act of a defendant which leads to the death. This can also include intentional acts.

A.R.S. § 12-612  gives the following people the right to file the lawsuit:

  • Personal representative of the estate
  • Surviving spouse
  • Surviving children
  • Surviving parent or guardian

The compensation will go to the surviving spouse, children, or parents—or, if none of them survive, then to the estate.

Why Choose CLS Law?

Our experienced wrongful death attorneys are well-positioned to provide the exceptional legal services you need in this difficult moment. We understand it’s hard to think about a wrongful death lawsuit while grieving the loss of a family member. That’s why we handle cases from start to finish, granting you the space to grieve with your family members.

We can:

  • Analyze whether you have a legitimate wrongful death claim, based on what you know about what happened;
  • Find additional evidence to prove fault for your loved one’s wrongful death;
  • Fill out forms, handle phone calls, and coordinate with the insurance company involved in the case;
  • Demand compensation for your losses;
  • Negotiate with the defendant and possibly participate in mediation to bring the wrongful death suit to resolution;
  • File a legal claim in court based on the wrongful death.

We approach these cases with empathy but also honesty. We only accept a case if we believe you can win, and we will be upfront about any weaknesses in your case.

Examples of Wrongful Death Cases

Wrongful death cases occur in various contexts, but they share a common factor: the defendant is at fault for the loved one’s death due to their wrongful act.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Many fatal accidents result from a reckless driver who engaged in:

  • Driving while distracted
  • Falling asleep behind the wheel
  • Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
  • Driving while intoxicated or high

We can bring a wrongful death lawsuit for a car, truck, motorcycle accident, or pedestrian fatality. In some cases, we might sue a mechanic for faulty repairs or even the city for unsafe construction zones. Contact our Gilbert wrongful death lawyers to help gather evidence.

Slip and Falls

Fatal slip-and-fall accidents can happen when someone hits their head or falls into a pool. A wrongful death action in these cases often depends on the reason your family member was on the property. If they were invited as a guest or customer, the defendant owes a duty of care. Our experienced wrongful death attorney in Gilbert, AZ can help recover compensation for your family’s loss.

Product Liability Cases

Dangerous products that result in fatalities are another source of wrongful death lawsuits. Faulty products that fail to meet safety standards can lead to fatal injuries. Examples include:

  • Unstable furniture that tips over, causing fatal injuries
  • Dangerous toys with small parts that a child can swallow

In Arizona, we can sue the manufacturer of a defective product. Our legal team will work to gather evidence and prove the product’s defect.

Intentional Acts

Certain intentional acts, such as assault or homicide, may also give rise to a wrongful death claim. In these cases, we might also sue businesses for negligent security. Our wrongful death lawyers have a proven track record of seeking justice and ensuring maximum compensation for families impacted by these criminal acts.

What Compensation Can You Receive?

A wrongful death lawsuit provides financial compensation to surviving family members for their losses. In Gilbert, AZ, the law recognizes certain economic damages related to a loved one’s death, including:

  • Property damage sustained in the accident, such as car damage;
  • Medical care to treat your loved one;
  • The value of wages and benefits the deceased would have earned if they had survived.

For example, if the deceased was a family breadwinner, their death could devastate the family’s finances. In such cases, our Gilbert wrongful death attorney can make a claim for decades of lost income. The exact amount will depend on their earnings, education, and age.

A wrongful death case also includes non-economic damages, which can be more challenging to quantify. These include:

  • Your pain and suffering as a survivor;
  • The loss of your loved one’s companionship, love, and guidance.

Although it’s difficult to put a price tag on grief, our experienced wrongful death attorney will use their expertise to determine the appropriate amount to seek. Fortunately, Arizona law does not cap wrongful death damages, allowing us to pursue the maximum compensation that the facts justify.

Wrongful Death Claims

CLS Law can also file a survival action at the same time as the wrongful death claim. A survival action is like a wrongful death claim, but it compensates the estate for losses the deceased suffered from the moment of the accident to their death. Not everyone dies immediately.

A survival action can seek financial compensation for:

  • Medical bills
  • Other out-of-pocket expenses
  • Lost income
  • Funeral and burial expenses

Any proceeds obtained in the survival action go to the estate, which ultimately will go to heirs.

Arizona’s Statute of Limitations

Arizona’s statute of limitations is only two years from the day of death. That time can pass quickly. Should you fail to file a lawsuit under the deadline, the defendant can avoid having to pay you. It’s a tough pill to swallow.

Some accidents could have even shorter deadlines. For example, you get 180 days to provide notice to the government if a government employee is responsible for the death. Contact CLS Law to start your case today. We always keep an eye on deadlines.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Wrongful Death Attorney

If you’ve lost a family member in an accident or due to reckless behavior, our Gilbert wrongful death attorneys at CLS Law are here to help. We have a team of experienced wrongful death lawyers ready to guide you through the wrongful death claims process. Whether the victim’s death was caused by a car accident, medical malpractice, or an intentional act, we will fight to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Our wrongful death attorneys will work tirelessly to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and the emotional pain your family is enduring. Call us today at (855) 257-9467 for a free case evaluation and let us help you seek justice for your loved one’s death under Arizona law. You owe nothing unless we win, as we operate on a contingency fee basis.