Mercer County Wrongful Death Lawyer
Unintentional deaths are the fourth leading cause of deaths in the United States according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, wrongful deaths happen too frequently in Mercer County, New Jersey as well. If a family member has been wrongfully killed because of another person or corporation’s ‘reckless or careless conduct, call me, Joseph Monaco, Mercer County Wrongful Death Lawyer, to learn your family’s rights to monetary compensation under New Jersey law.
Wrongful deaths can be the result of many different causes such as medical malpractice, auto accidents, defective products, slip and falls or industrial accidents. Mercer County Wrongful Death cases can often by quite complex to prove fault and require a thorough and intensive investigation to help achieve justice for the family. Damages in New Jersey Wrongful Death cases are “pecuniary” in nature, meaning family members are entitled to recover financial benefits he or she would have received in the future but for the wrongful death. In addition, the wrongful death victim’s losses before death are recoverable. This would include medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses and compensation for pain and suffering.
Determining the damages in a Mercer County Wrongful Death claim is usually complicated and based upon many factors. In calculating the damages, you have to consider the victim’s age, earning capacity and health as well as the financial dependency of each family member. Frequently, expert testimony must be presented at trial to explain and prove the financial losses including the market value of services, assistance, care, training, guidance, advice, counsel and/or companionship the wrongful death victim wold have otherwise continued to provide each family member. In addition, when the wrongful death was the result of intentional or reckless conduct, a claim for punitive damages may be pursued.
Mercer County Wrongful Death Statute of Limitation
Civil causes of action including wrongful death claims have time limits for filing the matter. These limits are known as Statutes of Limitation. As a general rule, New Jersey has a two year statute of limitation for wrongful death cases. This means beneficiaries have exactly two years from the date of the loss to file suit in the Superior Court of New Jersey or Federal District Court for New Jersey. There may be exceptions if the cause of death is not readily known but most cases will be dismissed if not filed within two years. However, it is never a good idea to wait the full two years before hiring a lawyer. Conducting an early, full investigation of the cause of death before evidence is lost or destroyed could be the difference between winning or losing your case. I handle cases throughout Mercer County including areas such as Trenton, Ewing Township and Hamilton Township.
Call Our Mercer County Wrongful Death Lawyers Today
You may call or text me at 609-277-3166 for a Free Consultation offering my over 25 years of experience as a New Jersey Trial Lawyer.
