Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is something that no one should ever have to go through. At Caruo Law Offices, we can be there for you in your time of need, patiently guiding you through the legal process of fighting for justice for your loved one and seeking to hold the careless party responsible for your unimaginable loss. We are local New Mexico attorneys and staff helping local New Mexico families. Contact us today for a free and confidential case evaluation with a Los Lunas personal injury lawyer.
How Our Los Lunas Lawyers Can Help
The personal injury and wrongful death attorneys at Caruso Law Offices have focused exclusively on motor vehicle accidents for over 20 years. When you hire our esteemed law firm, you get an entire legal team who can help by:
- Providing legal guidance through each phase of your case
- Completing legal paperwork to make insurance claims
- Conducting thorough investigations so all of the responsible parties are held accountable
- Gathering and assessing evidence to build a strong case on your behalf
- Working with experts, as necessary, to establish negligence and the full extent of your damages
- Handling communications and negotiations with insurance companies
Having an experienced attorney on your side that you can trust
How New Mexico Defines Wrongful Death
Under New Mexico’s Wrongful Death Act, a wrongful death occurs when the death is “caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another” in such circumstances that the victim would have been able to file a personal injury claim had the death not occurred. Car accidents are a leading cause of wrongful death in New Mexico.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Case in Los Lunas, NM
Only certain people have a legal right to file a wrongful death case in our state. This right is reserved for the personal representative of the decedent’s estate. However, the personal representative files this legal action on behalf of the survivors. The decedent’s family makeup determines how the proceeds of this case are distributed, as follows:
- If there’s a surviving spouse and no children, the spouse receives full compensation.
- If there are a surviving spouse and children, the children receive half of the proceeds, and the spouse gets the other half.
- If there are surviving children but no spouse, the children split the full compensation.
- If the victim was under 18 or unmarried and childless, the parents receive all compensation.
- If there are no surviving spouse, children, grandchildren, or parents, the siblings of the decedent receive the compensation
Types of Financial Compensation Awarded in Wrongful Death Cases
Through a wrongful death claim and accompanying survival claim, the following damages may be awarded:
- Final medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Burial and funeral expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of future earnings
- Loss of pension benefits
- Loss of inheritance
- Loss of companionship
Contact Our Los Lunas Wrongful Death Lawyers Today
If you have recently lost a loved one in a motor vehicle accident, the compassionate Los Lunas wrongful death attorneys at Caruso Law Offices are here to help. Contact us today at (505) 407-0458 to arrange your free consultation.