Losing a loved one ranks among life’s most painful experiences, especially when someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions cause their death. Beyond the deep emotional grief, families often face unexpected financial burdens.

You may face hurdles, including proving liability, which requires substantial evidence. You must also meet strict filing deadlines. The insurer of the negligent party may also frustrate your compensation claim.

Our compassionate Lexington wrongful death lawyers at Maze Law Offices are here to stand by your side during this difficult time. We will investigate the circumstances of the accident, identify the liable parties, and fight to secure the compensation your family needs to rebuild and move forward.

You can count on us to protect your rights and honor your loved one’s memory through relentless advocacy.

Lexington Wrongful Death Guide

Key Takeaways Regarding Wrongful Death Cases

  • We know how wrongful deaths cause both emotional devastation and financial hardship for surviving families.
  • A personal representative of the deceased’s estate must file the claim within one year of the date of death.
  • Proving liability requires strong evidence, meeting strict filing deadlines, and facing aggressive insurers.
  • Our Lexington wrongful death lawyers at Maze Law Offices have years of tried-and-tested legal experience.
  • We investigate thoroughly, identify all liable parties, and pursue maximum compensation.
  • Damages may include medical costs, funeral expenses, lost income, loss of companionship, and punitive damages.
  • We negotiate aggressively with insurers and have the knowledge and skills to take your case to court.
  • Call our wrongful death attorneys for legal advice and support.

Why Choose Our Lexington Wrongful Death Attorneys

Elite Lawyer Personal Injury Chandler Maze 2022When you’ve lost a loved one due to negligence, you need compassionate yet aggressive legal representation. Our experienced wrongful death attorneys at Maze Law Offices, understand your family’s pain and fight tirelessly to secure the justice and compensation you deserve during this difficult time.

Here’s why you should work with us:

  • Tried and Tested: Our wrongful death lawyers use proven legal strategies and deliver positive results. We use our deep knowledge of wrongful deaths to build strong cases, helping affected families receive the compensation they deserve.
  • Convenient Location: We are at 101 W Loudon Ave #212, Lexington, KY 40508, United States, a minute’s drive from Greyline Station. 

Compensation for Wrongful Death

When negligence causes the death of your loved one, Kentucky law allows surviving family members to seek comprehensive compensation through wrongful death claims. Here are the damages you can pursue in a wrongful death claim:

  • Medical Expenses: These damages encompass all healthcare costs from the incident until death. They compensated the surviving family member for emergency room visits, surgeries, medications, diagnostic tests, and any medical equipment used during treatment. 
  • Funeral and Burial Costs: These damages cover reasonable expenses for memorial services, caskets, burial plots, headstones, and funeral arrangements. Courts typically allow recovery for customary funeral expenses that honor the deceased’s memory while providing closure for grieving families.
  • Loss of the Deceased’s Expected Income Our wrongful death lawyers consider the deceased’s age, health, earning capacity, work-life expectancy, and potential career advancement when estimating the value of lost income. 
  • Loss of Inheritance compensates beneficiaries for the wealth the deceased will have accumulated and passed to heirs. Estimating the loss of inheritance involves analyzing the deceased’s savings patterns, investment potential, and expected asset accumulation over their remaining lifespan.
  • Loss of Companionship and Consortium: You can pursue compensation for the irreplaceable emotional support, love, and marital partnership that surviving spouses lose.
  • Emotional Distress and Mental Anguish: These damages compensate family members for the psychological trauma of losing their loved one. Courts recognize that sudden, unexpected deaths often cause severe emotional suffering requiring professional counseling and long-term healing.
  • Loss of Guidance, Care, and Nurturing: These damages acknowledge the deceased’s role as mentor, advisor, and caregiver. Children particularly suffer when losing parental guidance, while spouses lose their partner’s emotional support and life counsel.
  • Pain and Suffering: These damages compensate for the physical and emotional trauma the deceased endured between injury and death. Even brief periods of consciousness can warrant significant compensation for this suffering.
  • Punitive Damages: The court may award you punitive damages to punish defendants and deter future wrongdoing. These damages apply when defendants acted with malice, gross negligence, or intentional harm, potentially multiplying overall compensation substantially.

Each wrongful death case involves unique circumstances. Our experienced wrongful death attorneys pursue all applicable damages to ensure families receive maximum compensation for their devastating loss.

Where Do Wrongful Deaths Occur in Lexington

"Wrongful Death Case Report and Court Gavel."Wrongful deaths occur for various reasons, including vehicle accidents, birth injuries, construction accidents, dog bites, and more. Vehicle accidents are a significant cause of wrongful deaths in Lexington.

Although vehicle accidents can occur in any part of Lexington, road users are at risk of collisions in specific zones. Here are particular roads where vehicle accidents occur in Lexington:

  • Tates Creek Road: Tates Creek Road is a busy thoroughfare known for its heavy traffic flow and numerous intersections. Drivers often face distractions and aggressive behaviors, increasing the likelihood of accidents resulting in wrongful deaths.
  • New Circle Road: As a major beltway encircling Lexington, New Circle Road experiences high traffic, particularly during rush hours. This road is prone to speeding and reckless driving, creating hazardous conditions for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.
  • Interstate 75: Connecting Lexington to other cities, Interstate 75 witnesses a constant influx of vehicles traveling at high speeds. Accidents on this highway can be catastrophic, leading to severe injuries and, tragically, wrongful deaths.
  • Versailles Road: As a popular route through Lexington, Versailles Road is notorious for its heavy commercial truck traffic and frequent congestion. The mix of large vehicles and passenger cars often results in accidents that can have devastating consequences.

Lexington Wrongful Death Attorney

Our Lexington wrongful death lawyers provide compassionate, skilled representation for families facing the devastating loss of a loved one. We stand up to insurance companies and are fully prepared to take your case to court to pursue maximum compensation.

We can represent you if you lose a loved one in the following incidents:

  • Car Accidents: Whether it’s a reckless driver or a malfunctioning vehicle, our wrongful death attorneys can initiate a compensation claim for the loss of your loved one.
  • Rideshare Accidents: If a loved one loses their life in a rideshare accident, our wrongful death lawyers hold the responsible parties accountable.
  • Birth Injury: Dealing with the loss of a child due to a birth injury is heartbreaking. Our wrongful death attorneys have the skills to handle sensitive cases with compassion and determination.
  • Construction Accidents: When a construction site accident causes the loss of your loved one, our wrongful death lawyers explain your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
  • Nursing Home Abuse: Losing a family member due to neglect or abuse in a nursing home is tragic. Our wrongful death attorneys actively advocate for justice on behalf of surviving family members.
  • Truck Accidents: The aftermath of a fatal truck accident can be overwhelming. Our truck accident lawyers have the knowledge and resources to represent you in the compensation claim.
  • Motorcycle Accidents: Wrongful death in motorcycle accidents can result from various factors. Our wrongful death attorneys can investigate the circumstances of the crash and fight for your rights.
  • Dog Bite: When a tragic death results from a dog bite, our wrongful death lawyers pursue compensation and hold the negligent parties accountable.
  • Pedestrian Accidents: If a pedestrian loses their life in a preventable accident, our wrongful death attorneys can provide the legal guidance and support you need during this difficult time.

Fighting the Insurance Company

In many cases, the negligent party’s insurer is the source of compensation for the surviving family member. Even so, you must face an adjuster who works hard to minimize the insurer’s financial liability.

Our wrongful death lawyers confront the insurer by:

Investigating the Cause of the Death

You must investigate the cause of death to establish the liable party. Our wrongful death attorneys will review the details of the incident to understand what happened.

We will gather evidence, interview witnesses, consult professionals, and build a strong case to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Negotiating With Insurers

A man signing a liability insurance claimInsurance companies are known for their tactics to minimize payouts in wrongful death claims. Our wrongful death lawyers have the experience and negotiation skills to advocate on your behalf.

We will discuss with the insurers to ensure you are not taken advantage of and receive fair compensation for your loss.

Litigating the Claim in Court

You can litigate your claim in court if negotiations with the insurance company do not lead to a satisfactory resolution. Our wrongful death attorneys are prepared to take your case to court. With a track record of successful trial outcomes, we will fight tirelessly to pursue justice for you and your family.

What to Do After a Wrongful Death

Your actions after a wrongful death can protect your legal right to compensation. Here are the actions you should take after the wrongful death of a loved one:

Report the Death to Appropriate Authorities

You should report the loss of loved ones to the appropriate authorities for a proper investigation and official documentation for your legal case. Contact state health departments, regulatory agencies overseeing the facility, and law enforcement if you suspect criminal negligence.

You should also notify the coroner’s office, which can conduct thorough death investigations. These reports create official records that strengthen your wrongful death claim and help prevent future incidents.

Consult Our Wrongful Death Lawyer

You should also speak to our wrongful death attorneys after the loss of your loved one due to negligence. We will evaluate the facts and circumstances of the accident and design a legal strategy to pursue justice for your loved one.

They will also advise you to take appropriate actions throughout the claim process. All legal cases, including wrongful deaths, must adhere to strict legal timelines and deadlines.

For instance, the wrongful death statute of limitations is one year from the time of the death. The surviving family can lose their right to compensation if they initiate a lawsuit beyond the one-year timeline.

Our wrongful death lawyers understand the applicable timelines and exceptions in your claim. Most importantly, they will initiate a timely claim to preserve your right to compensation.

Chandler Maze, Lexington Wrongful Death Lawyer

Let Our Wrongful Death Attorneys Pursue Justice For Your Loved One

Losing a loved one can change every aspect of your life. For example, if your spouse was the family’s primary provider, their absence can leave you struggling to cover basic living expenses, manage household responsibilities, and cope with emotional devastation.

Although you may be entitled to compensation, the negligent party’s insurer may downplay your losses by rejecting your claim or making a low settlement offer. At Maze Law Offices, our wrongful death attorneys understand your situation and are ready to protect your rights.

We will gather compelling evidence to face insurers or litigate the matter in court for fair and just compensation. Contact us online or at (859) 882-9999 for a free case evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?

In Lexington, Kentucky, wrongful death claims can typically be filed by the deceased person’s spouse, children, parents, or other dependent relatives.

If no immediate family exists, the estate’s representative may file the claim. Kentucky law prioritizes surviving spouses and children, followed by parents and other dependents, when determining who has legal standing.

How Do We Prove Negligence in a Wrongful Death Case?

To prove negligence in a wrongful death case, our wrongful death lawyers must establish four key elements: the nursing home owed a duty of care to your loved one, they breached that duty through substandard care, this breach directly caused the death, and the resulting damages occurred.

We gather medical records, professional testimony, facility documentation, and witness statements to demonstrate each element of negligence.

Will We Have to Go to Court for a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Most wrongful death lawsuits settle out of court through negotiations with insurance companies and defendants. These negotiations often lead to a fair resolution without prolonged litigation.

However, your case may proceed to trial if you can’t reach a fair settlement. Our wrongful death lawyers will thoroughly prepare for court while continuing to pursue settlement discussions.

In many instances, cases resolve just before trial once defendants recognize the strength of your evidence and the determination behind your claim. This approach ensures you’re ready for any outcome and maximizes your chances of obtaining the compensation your family deserves.

What is the difference between a wrongful death claim and a survival action?

A wrongful death claim compensates surviving family members for their losses, such as lost financial support and loss of companionship.

A survival action, which the estate can file alongside a wrongful death claim, seeks to recover damages the deceased person could have claimed had they survived. This includes compensation for the pain and suffering they endured between the time of injury and their death.

How much does it cost to hire a wrongful death lawyer?

We handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees for our legal services. We only receive a fee if we successfully recover compensation for your family through a settlement or a court award.

Our fee is a percentage of the total amount recovered. This arrangement allows your family to pursue justice without worrying about legal costs.

How much is a wrongful death case worth?

Every wrongful death case has a unique value. The final amount of compensation depends on many factors, including the deceased’s age and earning capacity, the financial and emotional support they provided to the family, the amount of medical and funeral expenses, and the egregiousness of the defendant’s conduct.

We conduct a thorough analysis to calculate the full extent of your family’s losses to determine a fair value for your claim.

Will my case go to court?

Many wrongful death cases resolve through a negotiated settlement without a trial. Your Lexington personal injury lawyer will do their best to resolve your case as efficiently as possible without sacrificing the compensation you deserve. 

However, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we may advise you to take your case to trial to fight for a just outcome

LEXINGTON OFFICE
101 West Loudon Avenue
Suite 212
Lexington,  KY  40508

Maze Law Offices N/a (859) 882-9999