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Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Who Can Sue for Wrongful Death?

In the immediate aftermath of the sudden and traumatic loss of a loved one, the particulars of your state's laws might seem meaningless and irrelevant. However, the wrongful death lawyers at The Cochran Firm understand that these laws govern your ability to pursue justice and compensation for the loss of a loved one.

State laws vary, but generally speaking there are a few parties who have the right to file a wrongful death suit:

·         Immediate family members (parents and children, for example)
·         Spouses
·         The deceased's estate

Again, however, it's important to emphasize that the laws differ from state-to-state. For example, the viability of a claim from a same-sex spouse will obviously depend on the state's treatment of same sex marriages or civil unions.

And the details go even deeper. In Texas, for example, where The Cochran Firm has three offices, wrongful death lawyers cannot bring a suit on behalf of clients who lost a brother or sister in an accident. Adopted children, meanwhile, can file wrongful death suits for the loss of their adopted parents, but not their biological parents.

Other states are less restrictive and allow financial dependents and distant relatives with a direct relationship to the deceased to file.

These laws are obviously quite complex. That's why it's crucial to speak to one of our wrongful death lawyers immediately. We have offices across the country, and they're staffed with attorneys who have a complete understanding of the laws in your state.


If you've lost a loved one and need an experienced wrongful death lawyer, please contact The Cochran Firm today for a free consultation. 

posted by Admin at 9:35 AM

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The Cochran Firm handles Civil Litigation and Criminal Defense claims for clients throughout the United States of America. The information on this website does not constitute legal advice nor form an attorney-client relationship.Please contact The Cochran Firm today to schedule a free consultation.

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