Morris County, New Jersey Wrongful Death Lawyer

Wrongful Death Lawyer in Morris County | Fighting for Families Throughout NJ

Wrongful death cases are more emotional than any other type of personal injury claim. This is why we believe it is our job to take full control of the legal aspect of this matter while you and your family focus on what matters most: healing.

Wrongful Death Defined in New Jersey

Here in the state of New Jersey, “wrongful death” is loosely defined as when a person sustains a fatal injury as a result of another person’s negligence. Wrongful death cases are frequently brought due to fatal injuries sustained in auto accidents, workplace accidents, as a result of medical malpractice, and more. As long as a person can prove that their loved one’s death was caused by the negligence of another, and that had their loved one lived, they would have valid grounds to bring a personal injury claim, they should have a valid wrongful death claim.

That said, you should note that here in New Jersey, wrongful death claims are a bit different than in other parts of the country. First, if you are a decedent’s loved one, such as a spouse, child, or parent, you may bring a wrongful death claim, however, you most likely will not receive 100 percent of the compensation you win in the claim. This is because of New Jersey’s Wrongful Death Act.

The Act essentially states that any damages recovered from a claim of wrongful death are added to the monetary amount of compensation dispersed to all dependents. Therefore, if you are entitled to 50 percent of a decedent’s estate and you win your lawsuit, it will be added to the total estate and you would receive 50 percent of that additional compensation. You should also note that anyone who is not named in a decedent’s will or is otherwise not entitled to a share of the decedent’s estate is not be entitled to compensation unless they can prove that they were financially dependent on the decedent before he or she passed away.

Recoverable Damages in Wrongful Death Claims

Here in New Jersey, beneficiaries of a decedent can recover compensation to cover a wide array of damages both they and their loved ones have incurred as a result of the death. Just some of the recoverable economic and non-economic damages in wrongful death claims are as follows:

• Medical expenses the individual incurred before passing away
• The loss of any future income
• The loss of care, guidance, and companionship
• The cost of funeral expenses
• Pain and suffering
• The loss of enjoyment of life

Ensure you bring your claim within two years of the date your loved one passed away, in accordance with the state’s statute of limitations. Waiting longer than two years will most likely result in you losing your right to sue.

Contact Us Today!

We understand that the compensation you may receive in a wrongful death lawsuit cannot ever make up for the loss of your loved one. However, it can potentially help you financially and, in some ways, it may even help you and your family attain closure, knowing the negligent parties have been held accountable for their actions. Contact Macri Law so we can begin helping you and your family heal.