Wrongful Death

Nothing can compare to the pain and grief of losing a loved one due to the carelessness or wrongdoing of others. And no amount of money can replace a human life. However, when loss of life impacts you or your family’s financial security, there may be cause to bring a claim for the non-economic and economic losses, such as medical bills, loss of income, or additional expenses.

Peton Law—serving Salem, Keizer and the surrounding areas—has earned a reputation for helping wrongful death clients recover the compensation and justice they deserve. If you have lost a loved one, we’ll fight for you to the fullest extent of the law to make sure your family is taken care of.

What Is A Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Wrongful death is a broad term that describes any claim or lawsuit involving the death of a loved one or family member. The civil court legal system recognizes that the loss of a loved one causes not only immeasurable pain and sadness, but also economic losses. The goal of a civil remedy in a wrongful death claim is to compensate for these losses. For example, the law awards money for the pain and suffering of losing a loved one. These types of awards are referred to as non-economic losses; they are difficult to value because there is no price tag for life. A wrongful death claim can help recover the cost of medical care after the person was hurt, but before they passed away, the loss of income they were earning, or the cost to replace the services they provided.

Whether the death of a loved one is due to a car, truck or motorcycle accident, neglect of a loved one, medical malpractice, or even intentional acts, the loss of life may be grounds for a wrongful death claim against the party or parties responsible. If you believe you have ground for a wrongful death claim, our legal team is ready to listen to your story and help you understand what to do next.

THINGS TO CONSIDER IN A WRONGFUL DEATH CASE

When a wrongful death tragedy strikes, there many hidden considerations to take into account. For example, hospitals, medical providers, and secondary insurance providers can place liens on a settlement from an insurance company. Often these liens can exceed the amount of the insurance benefits available. In such instances, the grieving family has the added burden of possibly devastating financial losses.

If you or a loved one find yourself faced with this type of situation, please reach out and speak with an attorney about how you can protect yourself from further financial losses. The legal team at Peton Law is here to listen to your unique situation and offer direction and advice about your legal options.

How much is my wrongful death case worth?

Every case is different and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to seeking compensation for a wrongful death. Insurance companies often try to settle for as little as possible to maximize their profits. This is not helpful when you are trying to figure out how to move forward while grieving.

We start by gathering all the evidence, then conducting interviews to establish the value of your case. We will try to work with the insurance companies to reach an acceptable settlement. If they refuse to negotiate fairly, we may take the case to court and try it in front of a judge and jury—seeking not just financial compensation for you but also justice for your departed family member.

At Peton Law, we pride ourselves on our human touch. We know these are difficult, often painful or emotional proceedings. We listen to and advise you without pressuring you to do something you don’t feel comfortable doing. We walk with you as a guide and a trusted advisor but ultimately YOU decide whether you want to proceed. Our goal is to provide legal counsel about the situation and take the legal action you wish to pursue.

Damages You May Be Eligible to Receive

Depending on your unique case, you may be eligible to receive compensation for the following expenses and damages:

• Medical bills
• Future medical bills / ongoing health care
• Lost Income, vacation, sick or personal time
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement / dismemberment
• Emotional Injury
• Wrongful death
• Property damage
• Diminished value of your vehicle

In many cases, you may also be awarded punitive damages, meant to punish the negligent party for their wrongdoing and to deter future negligence.