When your loved one passes away because of someone else’s careless or illegal activity, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions. Doing so can help to ensure that the negligent party does not hurt or kill anyone else.
There are key factors that will affect if you can pursue a wrongful death case in Tennessee.
Who can file a wrongful death suit?
You may have a wrongful death claim if the circumstances of your loved one’s death meet two criteria. The death must be a result of injuries caused by someone else or because of the wrongful acts of another person, and the deceased would have had the right to file a personal injury case if he or she had survived.
You can file this type of lawsuit if you are the deceased’s spouse or when there is no surviving spouse if you are the child or next of kin of the deceased person. In some limited circumstances, you can also file a suit as a parent. A representative of the decedent’s estate also has the right to a claim.
What type of damages are possible?
You can pursue compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Funeral and burial fees
- Loss of income or financial support
- Noneconomic damages, like mental anguish and loss of companionship
The statute of limitations for wrongful death cases in Tennessee is typically one year from the date of your loved one’s death. You will need to act quickly to ensure your receive the compensation you deserve to help you through this difficult time.