Prince George’s County Survival Actions Lawyer
When someone passes away as a direct result of another person’s negligence, the decedent’s surviving family members can file a wrongful death claim against the responsible party. Likewise, the decedent’s estate can demand compensation against the at-faulty party. While some aspects of survival actions are similar to wrongful death claims, they also have many differences. That said, bringing a claim on behalf of a deceased loved one can be difficult without guidance from an experienced wrongful death attorney. With a seasoned Prince George’s County survival actions lawyer on your side, you could have far better chances of securing a favorable case result than you would ever likely have on your own.
What Damages Are Available Through a Survival Action?
Unlike wrongful death actions, which allow the surviving family members of a fatal accident victim to recover damages for the loss of their loved one, survival actions allow the estate to recover damages for:
- Funeral expenses, which change slightly depending on the year that someone’s wrongful death occurred in
- Property damage or losses sustained by the decedent in their accident
- Lost short-term income between the decedent’s accident and their death
- Medical expenses for care received between the decedent’s accident and their death
- Physical pain and psychological suffering
As a knowledgeable attorney in Prince George’s County could explain, damages “caps” apply to how much money someone can demand for non-economic forms of harm through survival actions, with the specific maximum amount changing yearly to account for inflation.
Filing Suit Within Legal Time Limits
Typically, the same three-year filing deadline applies to both wrongful death claims and survival actions in Maryland. However, when someone’s wrongful death stems from medical misconduct, surviving family members may have three to five years to begin the litigation process, depending on when they discover that negligence was the cause of their loved one’s death.
There may be an exception to the standard three-year deadline in situations where it is not discovered until well after someone’s death that another person’s negligence caused their untimely passing. During a private consultation, a dedicated lawyer in Prince George’s County could clarify what time limits might apply to a survival actions case.
An Attorney in Prince George’s County Survival Actions Could Help
Bringing a survival action is a crucial step toward recovering compensation for the impact your loved one’s avoidable death inflicted on your family. Like wrongful death claims, though, getting a favorable outcome from a claim of this nature is not a burden you should try to shoulder alone.
Instead, reach out to a Prince George’s County survival actions lawyer with the expertise and experience necessary to effectively protect your best interests. Call today to schedule a meeting.
