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Wrongful Death

WRONGFUL DEATH ATTORNEY INFORMATION: Attorney Fred Pritzker of the law firm of Pritzker | Ruohonen and Associates has recently settled a case involving the death of twin babies from a neonatal infection.  Fred Pritzker argued that the infection was caused by food contaminated with a lethal pathogen and recovered $3,500,000 for the parents of the twins.  Wrongful death attorney Fred Pritzker has gained a national reputation for excellence and has been interviewed by the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, ABC, CBS and others.  In recognition of his achievements, he has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America.  To contact Fred Pritzker or another wrongful death attorney at Pritzker | Ruohonen, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's online consultation form.

Wrongful Death Lawsuit Information

When someone dies due to the negligence of another, the law allows the heirs and next of kin of the decedent a claim for money damages. This is called a "wrongful death claim."

Wrongful Death Trustee
The person who brings a wrongful death lawsuit is usually called a "trustee." He or she is appointed by a judge to bring the wrongful death claim on behalf of all of the heirs (spouse and blood relatives) of the person who died.

Proving Fault in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
A wrongful death lawsuit is brought against the person or company whose fault caused the wrongful death. The law in most states requires the trustee (through his or her lawyer) to prove the fault of the defendant (the person being sued) is greater than the fault of the deceased person.

Compensation for Loss
A wrongful death lawsuit is not a criminal prosecution. Only state or federal prosecutors can bring criminal charges. The sole reason for a wrongful death claim is to compensate the heirs of the decedent for their loss.

Each state has different laws about the type of losses for which wrongful death compensation is allowed.

• All states allow for the recovery of lost income the decedent would have provided his loved ones.
  
• Most states do not allow recovery for grief or anger suffered by the surviving heirs, but do allow money damages for the loss of advice, care, comfort and companionship the deceased would have provided had he or she lived.
  
• Some states also allow money damages for the pain and suffering of the deceased person prior to death.

Read about monetary compensation (damages) in a Minnesota wrongful death case. 

Types of Wrongful Death Cases
Wrongful death lawsuits are typically pursued in cases involving auto accidents, medical malpractice, product liability and any other situations in which the fault of someone other than an employer caused the death (in most states wrongful death lawsuits are not allowed if the death was caused solely by the fault of the deceased worker, the employer or a co-worker)

Court Approves Division of Wrongful Death Proceeds among Heirs
Once the trustee and his or her wrongful death lawyer collect all of the financial compensation allowed by law, it is up to the court to approve the wrongful death settlement and divide the proceeds among the heirs. In most cases, the heirs agree upon how the money should be divided and the judge simply approves the agreement. But if the heirs cannot agree upon a distribution that is fair to all the heirs, the judge will take testimony and then decide the amount each heir will receive.

Wrongful Death Attorney Fred Pritzker and His Team at Pritzker | Ruohonen—Experience, Excellence, and  a Record of Success
At Pritzker | Ruohonen & Associates, P.A., we have the experience and resources to take on complex wrongful death cases and obtain significant compensation for families. Senior partner Fred Pritzker has 30 years of experience helping people who have lost loved ones by making sure they are compensated for their loss. He is respected nationally for his abilities and understanding of complex wrongful death cases. 

Wrongful Death Attorney and Free Consultation
Because so much is riding on it, a wrongful death claim should only be handled by a wrongful death lawyer with the utmost skill and experience. At Pritzker | Ruohonen & Associates, P.A., we’ve helped families collect some of the largest recoveries in wrongful death claims involving defective products, auto crashes, medical malpractice, fires and explosions and other wrongful death claims.
We understand this is a painful and difficult time. We’re ready to help when you need us. Contact us toll-free at 1-888-377-8900, by email at info@pritzkerlaw.com, or fill in our online consultation form.

Pritzker | Ruohonen is a nationally-recognized law firm and represents clients throughout the United States.  The firm's offices are in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Read about Minnesota wrongful death.

Pritzker | Ruohonen & Associates, P.A.
Plaza VII, Suite 2950
45 South Seventh Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402-1652

Telephone: 612-338-0202
Toll-Free: 1-888-377-8900
Fax: 612-338-0104
Email:info@pritzkerlaw.com

Pritzker | Ruohonen & Associates, P.A.: Minnesota personal injury lawyers with a national
reputation for excellence in the areas of personal injury and wrongful death.

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