When someone is killed by either a wrongful act or negligence of a person or business, a wrongful death claim may be made. These claims make up for the loss of care and companionship that the deceased victim frequently provided to family members and close relatives.
You might be entitled to bring a wrongful death lawsuit and receive compensation if a loved one died prematurely due to someone else’s carelessness.
Like other states, Nevada has specific rules addressing cases of wrongful death. This article will examine some of these statutes’ main provisions, including who can pursue a wrongful death claim in Nevada.
What Is Wrongful Death?
According to Nevada law (41.085), wrongful death occurs when someone else dies due to another person’s carelessness. While it is sometimes used to allude to any loss of life as a consequence of a violent crime or careless accident, wrongful death is legal terminology used to denote negligent conduct that leads to someone’s death.
Wrongful death instances include, among many others:
- When driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI), a motorist kills someone
- A store clerk failing to post a “Wet Floor” warning after mopping results in a fatality.
- An apartment building is improperly inspected by an inspector, which results in the building collapsing during an earthquake.
- A driver turns left into oncoming cars and collides head-on with another automobile.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?
According to Nevada law, the surviving husband or wife, kids, or domestic partner of the deceased individual may bring a wrongful death claim. The dead person’s parents may file if there is no surviving husband, wife, or child. Representatives of the decedent’s estate typically bring a wrongful death lawsuit in Nevada on behalf of the aggrieved family members.
What Does Compensation From a Wrongful Death Claim Cover?
In addition to the emotional strain of losing a dear one, the relatives of the deceased are entitled to monetary compensation for expenses like burial costs, hospital expenses, lost earnings, and health insurance benefits.
The court may also grant families punitive damages in certain wrongful death situations. These penalties are designed to penalize the more horrendous crimes, not to cover medical expenses.
Is There a Time Limit For Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit In Nevada?
A “statute of limitations” by Nevada law establishes a deadline for bringing wrongful death lawsuits. A wrongful death case must be submitted to a Nevada court no later than two years after the decedent’s passing.
The Bourassa Law Group is aware of how devastating the loss of a loved one can be. The loss of a family member brought on by someone else’s carelessness can only worsen that suffering and trauma. You might be able to receive compensation if deliberate or careless conduct resulted in the death of a relative or loved one.
Our Nevada wrongful death lawyers are skilled at assisting clients through catastrophes by initiating, pursuing, and succeeding in wrongful death lawsuits. Call us at (800)870-8910 for a free consultation!
1-800-870-8910