Personal Injury - Wrongful Death

Wrongful Death

Losing a loved one is one of life’s hardest experiences, which is made more difficult if the death was the result of negligence or wrongful actions. Holding the responsible party accountable for their actions can help a grieving family find closure, justice, and financial relief. Michigan’s Wrongful Death Act allows a decedent’s family to pursue compensation from the negligent party in these tragic situations.

Although no amount of money can make up for the loss of a loved one, the Wrongful Death Act is designed to alleviate the financial burdens and emotional distress suffered by those left behind after a wrongful death. It applies when a person’s death is the result of negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct of an individual, company, or other entity. The claim is brought by a personal representative who is appointed by the court to act on behalf of the decedent’s estate.

Economic and Noneconomic Damages

Damages obtained in the lawsuit may be distributed among the decedent’s spouse, children, stepchildren, descendants, parents, grandparents, brothers, and sisters. Those named in a will or designated by law to receive part of the estate may also recover damages in certain circumstances. These parties can seek damages for economic burdens caused by the wrongful death, such as medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost wages, and lost financial support. Indeed, the work of Gruel Mills attorneys was instrumental in creating the case law that allows recovery of wages the deceased would have earned if they had not been killed.

Noneconomic damages can also be recovered, based on pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and emotional distress. These noneconomic damages are determined based on how close of a relationship each person had with their loved one who passed away.

If you are grappling with the untimely death of a loved one due to the actions of another person, company, or entity, contact the experienced and compassionate attorneys at Gruel Mills today. We have over 35 years of experience in pursuing wrongful death claims and will guide you through the process and ensure that you get the best possible recovery.

To schedule a free, no-obligation evaluation of your wrongful death claim with one of our experienced attorneys, please contact us online or call us at 616-235-5500. We handle all wrongful death cases on a contingency basis, which means you do not have to pay for our services unless we recover money for you.

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