Wrongful Death Lawyers In Hendersonville, TN

Have you lost a family member in an accident because of someone else’s negligence? Contact a wrongful death attorney in Hendersonville to look into holding the liable parties accountable and filing a lawsuit.

It’s traumatic for anyone to lose a family member, but perhaps especially when the loss is unexpected and due to the negligent actions of someone else. Not only can the loss be emotionally difficult, but your family may also be struggling financially. If your loved one was a key breadwinner in the family, for example, then losing their income can be detrimental. You’ll also need to pay for the funeral, which can be expensive.

Identifying the liable party in your deceased family member’s accident can be crucial if you want to obtain a settlement that will cover your financial losses. Thankfully, the state of Tennessee allows families to file wrongful death claims when negligence plays a role in a fatal accident. A Hendersonville wrongful death lawyer from Raybin & Weissman, P.C. can help you navigate the legal process.

How to Know When a Fatal Accident Is Considered a Wrongful Death

While fatal accidents frequently occur, not all of these accidents can be considered a wrongful death. A fatal accident must involve negligence for it to be considered a wrongful death.

For example, if a Hendersonville pedestrian slips and falls on a puddle of rainwater in the street, hits their head, and later dies from the accident, this wouldn’t be considered a wrongful death because the fall didn’t happen on anyone’s property and the puddle was caused by rain.

If someone slips and falls on applesauce in a Hendersonville grocery store and dies, however, the circumstances would be different. This accident could be considered a wrongful death because, under premises liability law, the property owner had a responsibility to clean up the applesauce or warn customers of the danger and do what they can to prevent the accident from happening.

Wrongful Death Claims in Tennessee—Here’s Who Can File

When a wrongful death occurs, certain family members have a right to file a claim for compensation against the negligent party in the Hendersonville accident. Tennessee puts limits on who can file wrongful death claims as a way to keep the system fair. The spouse, children, and parents of the deceased can file claims, as well as anyone named in the will of the deceased.

In addition, anyone can apply to be the administrator of the deceased’s estate, which would allow them to file a wrongful death claim. If more than one person applies to be an administrator, then the court will appoint the most qualified person, which is usually the closest relative.

Family members and other qualified individuals should be aware that the state of Tennessee has a statute of limitations in place for filing wrongful death claims. All claims must be filed within one year of when the death occurred; otherwise, the court won’t hear the claim, and no one will receive compensation.

Consult a Hendersonville Wrongful Death Attorney

The grieving process can be brutal when you’re simultaneously trying to balance your emotions and figure out how to financially make it through. At Raybin & Weissman, P.C., we want you to be able to focus on healing, which is why we’ll fight to maximize your settlement.

If you’d like to speak with a Hendersonville wrongful death lawyer about your case, call 615-256-6666 or fill out the contact form below to schedule a free consultation. Our personal injury attorney, David Weissman, can help your family with his many years of experience.