New Haven Wrongful Death Attorney
The pain of losing a loved one because of someone else’s carelessness can be overwhelming, and such a loss also can trigger devastating financial consequences for the family left behind. If you have lost a loved one because of someone else’s conduct, our experienced New Haven wrongful death lawyers can help your family obtain justice and financial security.
At Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C., we are dedicated to providing compassionate legal representation with integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to justice.
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New Haven Wrongful Death Lawyers
A wrongful death lawsuit allows family members to recover financial compensation from someone whose wrongful act or omission caused or contributed to a loved one’s death. Our award-winning New Haven wrongful death law firm has helped grieving families obtain significant compensation since 1988. We use a team-focused approach to provide every client with personalized legal advocacy and maximum results.
Wrongful death cases can be challenging to prove because they often involve incidents in which a loved one dies without an opportunity to tell anyone what caused the accident. For example, after a motor vehicle accident, the insurance company will only have the other driver’s side of the story. It is crucial to have a seasoned attorney on your side with the resources, knowledge, and experience to investigate and uncover what occurred.
Our partners have a strong reputation throughout Connecticut for securing significant financial recoveries for clients. The key to our success is meticulous case preparation. With the help of private investigators and forensic experts, we will search for the truth until we identify every party responsible for your loved one’s death. We will give them a voice and fight for justice.
John Kennedy Jr.
Founding Partner
John J. Kennedy, Jr., is the founding partner of Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C. In 1988, John formed Kennedy & Johnson, along with David Johnson. John is an accomplished trial attorney, spending most of his more than 42 years practicing in Connecticut, representing injured clients before juries.
Wrongful Death Attorneys Serving New Haven County
Our local wrongful death attorneys proudly serve all New Haven County clients from our office located at 555 Long Wharf Drive, Suite 13A, just off Water Street. Our clients come from the following New Haven County areas:
- West Haven
- Meriden
- Milford
- Hamden
- Wallingford
- East Haven
- Branford
- North Haven
- Cheshire
Millions Recovered for the Families of New Haven Wrongful Death Victims
We have obtained numerous seven and eight-figure verdicts and settlements for families grieving the loss of their loved ones, such as the following:
- $12.5 million recovered for a patient’s wrongful death in a medical malpractice case against Stamford Hospital
- $5.5 million recovered for the wrongful death of a 69-year-old man with mesenteric ischemia
- $4 million recovered for a medical malpractice wrongful death claim
- $2.7 million for the failure of an emergency dispatcher to follow applicable protocols, which resulted in death
- $2.5 million recovered for the family of a man who died of a heart attack weeks after two doctors misdiagnosed his heart condition
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in New Haven
Wrongful death claims can arise from any type of accident. Our accomplished New Haven wrongful death attorneys have secured substantial compensation in nearly every type of case, including the following:
- Bicycle Accidents
- Boating Accidents
- Bus Accidents
- Car Accidents
- Construction Accidents
- Defective & Dangerous Products
- Drunk Drivers
- Medical Malpractice & Surgical Errors
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Pedestrians Hit by Cars
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Truck Accidents
- Workplace Accidents
Act Now – Secure Your Rights and Get Legal Help Today
When your loved one’s life is cut short by negligence, you can trust our nationally recognized New Haven wrongful death lawyers to provide effective and aggressive representation with empathy, dedication, and maximum results.
Pursue the compensation you deserve—contact us now using our online form or call (203) 865-8430 to schedule a free consultation.
New Haven Wrongful Death Lawyer FAQs
What Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
A wrongful death lawsuit is a suit filed on behalf of the family of someone who has died from another’s deliberate or negligent act or omission. Wrongful death claims differ from survival claims as follows:
- Damages in a survival claim are for losses suffered by the deceased, which they could have recovered had they lived.
- Damages in a wrongful death claim are for losses the family suffered from the death.
We can determine which type of claim applies to your case. Often, you can pursue both types of claims.
Who Gets the Money in a New Haven Wrongful Death Lawsuit Settlement?
Damages in a wrongful death claim are awarded to surviving family members according to each family member’s loss. For example, a spouse may be entitled to damages for loss of consortium, while a child could recover compensation for loss of parental guidance. Damages awarded for economic losses, such as funeral expenses, are paid directly to the funeral home or to the family member who covered them.
All other damages are awarded to the estate and will be passed through the heirs after probate. The distribution of damages will be based on the will or, if there is no will, the next of kin as recognized by state law.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in New Haven?
Connecticut’s statute of limitations specifies that a wrongful death claim must be filed within two years of your loved one’s death. However, no lawsuit may be filed more than five years from the date of the act or omission that caused the death. If your loved one has died from homicide or manslaughter, and the defendant is either found guilty or not guilty by reason of insanity, there is no deadline for filing suit.
Regardless of the deadline, we advise against waiting to contact a knowledgeable New Haven wrongful death attorney. You cannot receive compensation for the wrongful death of your family member unless you have strong evidence to prove that the accident was someone else’s fault, such as eyewitness statements, video footage, and forensic data. We can gather this evidence, but some may be gone if too much time has passed. Eyewitness memories can fade, video footage can be erased, and forensic data can deteriorate or disappear.
Establishing how the accident occurred or who is responsible can be difficult—or even impossible—without this evidence. Additionally, the statute of limitations is a complex law with a few exceptions. If you miss the deadline, your case will be dismissed, and you will lose the opportunity to seek justice for your loved one and compensation for your family.
How Long Does a New Haven Wrongful Death Lawsuit Take?
Your wrongful death lawsuit will likely take several months to resolve, depending on the following factors:
- The type of accident that caused your loved one’s death
- The length of time between the accident and death
- Whether your case settles or goes to trial
- The amount of investigation required to prove your case
- The number of defendants involved
It generally takes a few weeks to recover compensation awarded to specific family members after a case is settled or a verdict is rendered. However, it could take several more months or longer than a year to recover awarded damages that must go through probate.
What Is the Average Payout in a New Haven Wrongful Death Suit?
Numerous factors affect your payout, such as the available insurance coverage, the type of accident that led to death, the identity of the liable parties, and the skill of your New Haven wrongful death attorney. We have secured numerous settlements and verdicts over $1 million. We can estimate your case value after thoroughly reviewing your case.
Who Can File a New Haven Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Under Connecticut law, the only party authorized to file a wrongful death lawsuit is the executor or administrator of the estate. This person is typically designated in a will. If there is no will or named executor, the court must appoint an administrator to handle estate matters and file the wrongful death claim. Wrongful death lawsuits are always filed for the benefit of the family and the estate, not for the person filing the claim.
How Do You Prove Wrongful Death?
To prove a wrongful death claim, you must demonstrate that the following elements of negligence were present:
- Someone owed your loved one a duty of care.
- The party breached the duty of care.
- Your loved one passed away, and this would not have happened were it not for the breach.
- The breach of duty is the actual and proximate cause of your loved one’s death.
Wrongful death claims present unique challenges when a death occurs immediately because your loved one cannot tell anyone what happened. You will need a detailed investigation into the events that preceded the death.
For example, in a motor vehicle accident, you will need forensic data from the vehicles, eyewitness statements, video footage, police reports, and evidence available at the scene. In a medical malpractice claim, you will need your loved one’s medical records and expert testimony.
Having an attorney on your side with experience investigating wrongful death cases, a strong network, and vast resources is necessary to get the evidence you need to identify the responsible parties and hold them accountable.
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15 N. Main Street #100 Suite 217
West Hartford, CT 06107
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