Reno Wrongful Death Lawyer
Reno Wrongful Death Attorney
The loss of a loved one is immeasurable. When that loss is the direct result of someone else’s negligence or harmful intentions, the pain of death can be even more excruciating. While nothing can bring back the one you lost, you do have the right to demand compensation for a wrongful death. If you believe that your loved one would still be with you were it not for the actions or inaction of someone else, then a Reno wrongful death lawyer can advocate for you.
Choosing Legal Representation That Fits Your Needs
When seeking restitution for the death of a family member, you not only want legal support that is qualified, but you also want to work with lawyers who are trustworthy and have built a solid reputation. With over 100 years of combined legal experience, Easton & Easton understands the complexities of wrongful death laws and the strategies employed by insurance companies which are not working in your interest. Our case results speak for themselves.
Beyond wanting a Reno wrongful death lawyer who can help you navigate complicated Nevada legal systems to obtain the settlement you deserve, it is also important to work with someone who cares about your situation. Easton & Easton is a family business. We understand how valuable family truly is, and we want to fight for justice for you.
What Constitutes a Wrongful Death Case?
A wrongful death case is a type of personal injury case in Reno wherein the victim has ultimately passed away due to their injuries. In any wrongful death case, the death must have been caused by the actions or negligence of another. These cases may overlap with criminal cases, such as in the case of a homicide. They may also be the result of a car accident, a construction site accident, medical practice, or a range of other situations.
Another factor in having a wrongful death case is that the relationship between the deceased and the plaintiff must be of a certain type. Simply being the deceased’s friend, for example, will not be enough to have a case. There must also have been some sort of financial loss as a result of the death.
Common Types of Wrongful Death Cases
There are generally two types of wrongful death cases: those caused by another’s negligence and those caused by another’s malice. Malice would include someone being assaulted during a robbery, a murder, or other intentional acts of violence. Some of the common examples of wrongful death resulting from negligence include, but are not limited to:
- Misdiagnosis by a medical professional
- Surgical errors
- Mistakes in medication
- DUI accidents
- Vehicle accidents of all sorts, including those involving pedestrians, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles
- Construction site accidents
- Factory accidents
What to Expect From Your Wrongful Death Lawyer
For most of us, the legal system is an area that we are unfamiliar with. Therefore, filing any type of legal case can feel overwhelming. Filing a wrongful death case in the midst of grieving the death of a family member is even more challenging. Working with a wrongful death lawyer can not only help you receive compensation, but it can also relieve stress and improve your financial security.
A seasoned wrongful death lawyer has acquired many skills over time and can offer you support in a number of ways, including:
- Assisting you in understanding, filling out, and filing necessary paperwork
- Reminding you of important deadlines or upcoming court dates
- Helping negotiate settlements to potentially keep your case personal
- Advocating for you to receive a fair and just amount of compensation
- Evaluating the losses you have suffered, including intangible ones, such as pain, suffering, and loneliness, to make sure you are awarded the damages you deserve
- Protecting you from being taken advantage of by insurance companies or anyone who does not want you to receive the maximum amount of damages possible
- Supporting you in building a strong case and proving negligence by gathering evidence, written documentation, witness reports, and other key information
- Providing you with guidance and a sense of calm as you wade through your legal case
Timeline for Filing a Wrongful Death Case
If you have lost someone due to wrongful death in Reno, NV, it is important not to delay filing your case. Generally, you will have two years from the date of death to file. If your case falls in the realm of medical malpractice, then your timeline is determined by whether the death occurred before or after October 1, 2023.
If the death occurred before 2023, you have three years from the date of injury to file a claim or one year from when the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. If the death occurred after 2023, you will still have three years from the date of injury but two years from when the injury was discovered or should have been.
Who Is Eligible to File for Wrongful Death?
To file a wrongful death case in Nevada, you must have a specific connection to the victim of the wrongful death. You must either be the personal representative of the deceased’s estate, e.g., the executor of the deceased’s estate, or you must be their intestate heirs.
Intestate heirs are the decedent’s family, such as their domestic partner, spouse, or child. There is an order of seniority within the list of intestate heirs, such as children having priority over siblings of the deceased and parents having priority over siblings. Other relations may be able to file if there are no surviving relatives with a closer relationship.
Proving Negligence in a Wrongful Death Case
As with other kinds of personal injury cases, it is key to establish negligence in a wrongful death case. One advantage of a wrongful death case, versus a criminal one, like homicide, is that the burden of proof is lower. Your attorney must show that the defendant is liable “by a preponderance of the evidence,” versus “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
For example, just because your spouse, child, or other family died in surgery, it does not automatically give you a wrongful death case. For claims involving medical professionals, where there is often some amount of inherent risk in their job, it is necessary to show that their decisions or actions differed from the standard of care that another professional of the same type would have given. Working with an experienced lawyer can help you establish negligence.
What Types of Damages Can Be Awarded?
It is important to note that a wrongful death suit is separate from any criminal case against the defendant. A wrongful death case deals solely with providing financial restitution. While there may be what are called “punitive damages” that are awarded as a means of deterring people from committing or recommitting the crime, there is no jail time, probation, or other consequences.
Types of damages that you may be able to gain financial compensation for include:
- Funeral or burial costs
- Medical bills that were accrued from the deceased’s accident or injury
- Punitive charges, e.g., that money the deceased might have demanded from the defendant had they lived
- Lost wages that the deceased would reasonably have earned
- Loss of companionship, care, and emotional support
- Grief
- Suffering or pain that the deceased party endured before they died
FAQs
Q: Is Settling Better Than Going to Trial?
A: One disadvantage of going to trial is that it can be very time-consuming, particularly as the defendant could appeal if they initially lose the case. There is also always the possibility that the defendant will not be held liable. Discussing your situation and priorities with a lawyer can be helpful in knowing whether the settlement offered is worth taking or if having the chance to prove the defendant liable would provide closure. Their advice can aid you in making the decision that is appropriate for you.
Q: What Are Wrongful Death Claims Typically Filed Against?
A: There are three main areas that wrongful death claims are filed against, these being accidents, medical malpractice, and criminal acts. Car and other vehicle accidents, as well as workplace accidents, comprise many wrongful death claims. This means that the claim may be filed against an individual, or it may be against a company or larger entity. If you believe that you lost a loved one due to negligence or malice, it may be worth contacting a trustworthy legal professional.
Q: What Is the Highest Wrongful Death Settlement?
A: How much money can be awarded in a wrongful death settlement will depend on the situation, such as how many dependents the victim leaves behind, as well as the financial burdens that resulted from the incident and death. Funeral costs, medical bills resulting from the incident, lost wages that the deceased could have earned, and other losses are all included in calculating a wrongful death settlement.
Q: What Is the Wrongful Death Statute in Nevada?
A: Nevada’s statute of limitations for wrongful deaths is generally limited to two years. There are situations that are more complicated, however, such as when the incident did not immediately result in death, instead causing extended pain and suffering, and then death years later. Another example is when details of the circumstances were hidden, such as in certain cases of medical malpractice.
Connecting With a Reno Wrongful Death Lawyer
Losing a family member is never easy, but facing debt, loss of income, and the knowledge that the person you lost should still be here can be crippling. It is important that, in the midst of your grief, you have the opportunity to receive some level of justice. If you are dealing with a wrongful death or believe that you might be, our team at Easton & Easton wants to stand by you. Reach out to us today.
Your Story Is Important To Us.
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The superior client service Easton & Easton provides has earned the firm an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen anew each year since 2014 by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers as one of the "Best Law Firms" for the Southern California Metro Area.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen by the LA Times Reader's Choice Poll as "The Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" for 2018.
Doug and Brian Easton have been selected as Top 100 Trial Lawyers for California each year since 2014 — honors given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.
Brian and Matt Easton were recently honored for their efforts in securing a $1,850,000 verdict for a client in 2016, which was selected as one of the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California by TopVerdict.com.
Doug and Brian have each been selected by Super Lawyers, an honor given to less than 5% of attorneys. Matt Easton has been selected among Super Lawyers' Up-and-Coming Top 25 in Orange County and Top 100 in Southern Califonia, an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys under 40 years old.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen as one of the "10 Best Personal Injury Law Firms” in all of Southern California" each year Since 2015 based on client satisfaction — one of the highest honors we could ever hope to achieve.
Easton & Easton received the “People Love Us On Yelp” award in 2016 due to the exceptional client satisfaction reviews given by our clients over the years.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been featured as Premier 100 Trial Attorneys for California since 2015 — honors given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Brian and Matt Easton have each earned lifetime appointment to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum — The Top Trial Lawyers in AmericaTM through the results achieved for their clients. This is an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys in the United States.
Doug Easton has held the “AV Preeminent” Rating for over 30 years and Matt Easton received this prestigious distinction in 2015. The "AV Preeminent" rating is the highest possible rating for both legal ability and ethical standards, and is based on the legal profession’s oldest peer review rating system, dating back to 1887.
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been chosen as one of the "10 Best" Personal Injury Attorneys in Southern California each year since 2015 based on client satisfaction, an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys - and Easton & Easton houses three of them.
Brian Easton was selected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 2015. ABOTA is one of the most premier associations of trial attorneys and judges, requiring a certain number of jury trials as lead counsel and approval by a majority vote of the ABOTA board.
Matt Easton has been selected each year since 2014 as one of the Top 40 Trial Lawyers Under 40 for California by The National Trial Lawyers — an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.
Both Doug and Matt Easton have been selected as Top Personal Injury Attorneys by Avvo with scores of 10 out of 10 based on their skill, experience, results, peer evaluations, and client reviews.
Matt Easton has been selected as one of the Top 10 Personal Injury Attorneys Under 40 in California for 2015 by the National Association of Personal Injury Attorneys — an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys under the age of 40.
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been selected by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel among the Nation's Top One Percent of Attorneys each year since 2017.
“We look for the human story behind every injury or wrongful death. We prepare our cases for trial; reaching out to the jury with the most compelling evidence possible for the best verdict possible. Insurance companies know this and come to the table prepared to negotiate in good faith. Call us to see how we can turn your story into fair compensation.”
Partner W. Douglas Easton
What Our Clients Say
Coming out of my first auto accident as an adult, a very difficult and scary time to navigate and understand, I was so incredibly thankful to have been put in contact with Easton & Easton. I honestly was lost with how to handle paperwork, doctors, medical costs and what next steps were, and from the moment I spoke with Travis Easton and my case manager Katie, my mind was put at ease. They have made the entire process stress free for me as I recovered, and I am so grateful for them and their genuine care for my case. Communication from the start has been fantastic, especially making clear what my expectations for the entire process would look like, and I truly believe they have my best interest at heart. 100% I would recommend their firm for anyone that is needing representation! Read more…
My experience with Easton & Easton has been amazing! Gabriel Mendoza and my case manager Katie have been so helpful and taken so much stress off my plate. They’ve been super informative and honest and given me very clear expectations. They’ve taken such a terrible experience (my accident) and eased my mind about the outcome. I can’t thank them enough!! Read more…
Ive used them twice and never been disappointed. Read more…
The Easton & Easton Law Firm is amazing! The entire team is very helpful and caring. They were always there to answer all my questions. They directed me through the entire process and stayed with me every step of the way. This team is outstanding and were wonderful to work with. Because of the tremendous effort they put on my case they were able to win my difficult personal injury case. I couldn’t have asked for a better law firm to handle my case. They are the Best! Thank you for your patience, professionalism, & guidance! I definitely recommend this firm to handle your case. They go out of their way to fight for your rights. THANK YOU… Read more…
I could not be more pleased with the services provided by the Law Offices of W. Douglas Easton. The senior partner Mr. Easton took the time to meet with me and my wife while I was still in the hospital, where he gave my family hope that there was light at the end of a very long, and very dark tunnel. Matt Easton then worked my case, and because of his dedication, experience and expertise I received a settlement that was larger than I EVER thought possible. It was truly astounding! Matt and the entire team at Easton & Easton looked out for me throughout my recovery, and in the end they gave me my life back. Five stars is not enough. Thanks Matt! Thanks Easton & Easton! Read more…
Brian and everyone at Easton and Easton are simply the BEST at what they do. Brian is thorough, easy to talk to, and truly cares about his clients. If you want a family of attorneys with perseverance and determination to fight for you, give Easton and Easton a call. I am glad I did. Read more…
What an amazing law firm, talk about going above and beyond to make such a painful experience go so well. I have referred a co-worker and a family member to them as well and everyone had such a great experience as I had. Read more…
I can’t say enough amazing things about my experience with Travis Easton at Easton & Easton. Travis and his entire team (Katie, Amy, Dee, Michelle, & Araceli) are phenomenal. It provided me a lot of comfort to know I was being so well taken care of. I was especially impressed that every document for the case was perfectly written and specific to me. Nothing was generic, which shows the level of care and attention they put into each individual case. I had such a great experience and would highly recommend Travis Easton and his firm to anyone going through a personal injury. Travis took a bad situation and made the best of it for me. Thank you again, I’m forever grateful!!
-Allee
Retaining Easton and Easton was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! From the initial consultation to our final meeting, they were nothing short of exceptional. I was forced to retain their services after firing my previous attorney for not handling the case properly. I dealt with Gabriel and Brian (partner) exclusively throughout the case. They did as promised and were great communicators throughout the entire process. I will recommend them to anyone I know going through a personal injury case. They were ultimately able to untangle the mess caused by my previous lawyer and get a result that I was extremely happy with. Their staff is exceptional as well and provided top notch customer service. Amera was also extremely helpful and easy to deal with as well.
I was in a pretty bad car accident and decided to have Easton & Easton represent me, Travis Easton to be specific. Travis Easton and his paralegal made the whole process effortless. They were so understanding and helpful! The entire thing was a gigantic mess, yet Travis managed to make it run like clockwork. I would HIGHLY recommend Easton & Easton! If you are ever in need of a personal defense attorney Easton & Easton is the firm to represent you!
They are the best law firm in Orange County period. Choosing them to represent me was the best decision of my life.
My life changed in a matter of seconds after a catastrophic spinal cord injury that left me disabled. Brian Easton and his team worked on my case non stop for 3 years and provided me the justice I deserved. I couldn’t have been more content.
I was treated with utmost respect and I felt like I was being represented by a close family member. The responses to my questions were quick and clear. What E & E has done for me is phenomenal.
My sincere thanks to Brian, Matt, Travis, Doug, Gabriel and Amera. They are what they are because of their dedication to provide high quality and professional service to their clients.
Brian Easton and his team, Gabe Mendoza and Amera Hajali, helped me during a very difficult time in my life. I had a significant injury from a car accident, and wound up seeking out Easton & Easton when I was having difficulties getting help from my doctors. The Easton team took a lot of stress off of me while acting as my advocates to help me get the care I needed, and saw my case all the way through to a healthy settlement.
They are the BEST!
I have nothing but good things to say about Easton and Easton. Brian handled my case professionally and communicated with me effectively throughout the process. He made sure that the process was effortless and as hands free as possible. This was super important for my busy schedule. I highly recommend Easton and Easton if you are ever found in a situation that you need an attorney.
I would highly recommend Easton & Easton.
I was rear ended on my home and pushed into a semi-truck. I was not sure how to go about even using an attorney.
Brian, Gab and Amera were so good about helping me thru the process and representing me.
I was able to concentrate on getting myself better knowing they had my back, taking care of the details and keeping me informed along the way
The best Law firm by far. I would highly recommend Easton & Easton, LLP and ask for Gabriel Mendoza and staff. He and his colleagues did and exceptional service. Thank you for everything. Job well done!
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