You might be familiar with the basics of personal injury law, but did you know you might be able to file a claim for the death of a loved one? This is a special type of personal injury case, known as a wrongful death, and it allows family members to obtain compensation, when negligence causes the death of a loved one. While this can’t make up for the loss, it can help the family cope with the financial burdens that the death has created.

When your loved one loses their life in an accident, or through a deliberate act, it can result in a number of financial burdens. A Boston wrongful death attorney can help you recover damages to help pay for medical bills related to the injuries that the victim incurred, prior to passing. Additionally, you may be eligible to receive damages to pay for funeral and burial expenses, as well as the loss of income that the individual’s death has caused.

While only certain people are qualified to sue in a wrongful death case, the personal representative chosen will pursue the case on behalf of family members directly affected by the death. This may include a spouse, children, siblings, or elder parents or grandparents for whom the decedent was financially responsible. A Boston wrongful death attorney can give you more precise information about who in your family may benefit from this type of lawsuit.

As with any personal injury lawsuit, it’s important to consult an attorney, before you sign any paperwork or speak with insurance adjusters. Acting without legal counsel can result in accepting a settlement offer that’s insufficient to cover the debts that the passing has incurred. A lawyer familiar with these types of cases will know what you can expect to receive in your claim and will be able to negotiate for a better settlement offer.

While a lawsuit is the last thing your family wants to go through, so soon after suffering the loss of a loved one, it may be the best way to receive compensation. The law allows for these types of lawsuits, because the financial burdens an unexpected death causes are well known. Mounting bills and a loss of income can have a negative impact on your entire family, so pursuing a wrongful death claim can help you cope with the financial aspect of the loss.