What Baltimore Families Need To Know About Filing A Wrongful Death Claim In Maryland
The loss of a loved one is devastating under any circumstances. When someone else’s negligence or recklessness causes their death, the outrage and injustice you feel can be devastating.
In Baltimore, wrongful death claims help grieving family members hold those at fault accountable and provide the compensation needed to deal with outstanding hospital bills, lost earnings, and your family’s pain and suffering. If you recently lost a loved one due to another’s negligence, our experienced Maryland wrongful death lawyers explain how filing a claim can help your family get justice and closure.
Common Ways A Wrongful Death in Baltimore Happens
Unexpected events happen that can cause potentially life-threatening harm. The Maryland Health Department warns that accidental injuries are among the leading causes of death in Baltimore, claiming the lives of nearly 1,000 residents each year.
Under the Maryland Statutes, a wrongful death refers to any death caused by the negligent behavior of others. This means they either took reckless actions that endangered your loved one or failed to take the appropriate precautions. Some of the most common causes of wrongful death in Baltimore include:
- Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents;
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents;
- Slips and falls;
- Getting struck by or against objects;
- Medical malpractice, such as missed diagnosis, surgical errors, or medication mistakes;
- Nursing home neglect and abuse.
From high-speed collisions on city roads to lapses in medical care, preventable deaths are unfortunately common and leave surviving family members heartbroken. Filing a wrongful death claim in Baltimore provides a way to hold those at fault accountable.
How Wrongful Death Claims Work in Maryland
Wrongful death claims in Maryland can be brought by close family members, such as parents, spouses, or children. If no primary beneficiaries exist, secondary relatives like siblings or cousins may be able to file.
Regardless of whether criminal charges are filed in the cases, a wrongful death claim in Baltimore can provide a sense of justice for the victim. It also provides grieving families with the compensation needed to move forward from their loss. This includes:
- Payment of all funeral and burial expenses;
- Coverage of outstanding medical bills related to the final injury or illness;
- Reimbursement for lost income and future financial support;
- Loss of companionship, comfort, and guidance;
- Mental anguish and emotional suffering.
Maryland also allows a survival action, which the estate may file separately for damages the deceased would have recovered if they had lived.
To Get The Fierce Legal Help Your Family Needs, Contact Our Experienced Baltimore Wrongful Death Lawyers
If you have lost a loved one, taking legal action won’t change what happened. However, it does help in holding those at fault accountable and ensures grieving families are provided for in a way their loved one would have wanted.
At Maryland Injury Lawyers, we are here to support you through what is undoubtedly one of the most difficult times in your life. For caring support and fierce legal representation, contact our office and request a consultation with our experienced Baltimore wrongful death lawyers today.
Sources:
health.maryland.gov/phase/Documents/Ostbye_Katherine.pdf
mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/laws/StatuteText?article=gcj§ion=3-901&enactments=false
