Bozeman Wrongful Death Lawyer
Any loved one’s death feels wrong to close family members left behind, but in legal terms, a death may be “Wrongful” if it was a preventable death caused by someone else’s actions. When another person’s careless, reckless, or intentionally harmful actions cause a death in Bozeman, the decedent’s closest surviving family members suffer economic losses as well as grief and anguish, entitling them to financial accountability through a Montana wrongful death claim. Call or contact online the wrongful death lawyers in Bozeman who can help you through this difficult process.
Why Choose Beck, Amsden and Stalples, PLLC?
A successful wrongful death claim not only brings financial relief to family members impacted by the death, but it also helps them achieve a sense of justice for their loss. By choosing our Bozeman wrongful death law firm, you’ll see the following advantages:
- Over 150 years of combined legal experience in a team of highly skilled attorneys
- A lawyer dedicated to personalizing the best possible strategy to recover the compensation your family deserves
- Access to the skills, knowledge, and resources of an entire legal staff
- An attorney determined to be a voice for justice on your lost loved one’s behalf
We do not charge upfront fees to injury victims or the families of those wrongfully deceased. We offer a free case consultation and only collect our fee after we recover your compensation.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim In Montana?
Like most states, Montana limits the family members who may recover compensation in a wrongful death claim. This prevents distant family members from exploiting the death if they did not suffer financial consequences. Under Montana 27-1-513, only a decedent’s personal representative may file a claim. Typically, this is a close family member named by the decedent as the executor of their estate in a will or estate plan. If the decedent did not have a will, the court chooses a representative. In most cases, they choose the closest family member who would otherwise inherit the estate, such as a surviving spouse, parent, or adult child. Otherwise, the representative distributes the compensation to the closest surviving family member.
What Compensation Is Recoverable In a Montana Wrongful Death Claim?
After a loved one’s sudden death, their family members face financial losses, especially when the decedent was a family provider or the family member who cared for the home and children. Common damages claimed in Montana wrongful death cases include the following:
- Reimbursement for medical expenses if the decedent had medical care before their death
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost income for the number of working years the decedent would have had remaining to them if they hadn’t died
- Compensation for the loss of health insurance and retirement contributions
- Compensation for the loss of household services
- Compensation for grief and anguish
- Compensation for loss of companionship and consortium or the loss of a parent’s support and guidance
If the wrongful death occurred due to someone else’s egregious actions, punitive damages may also be available to serve as a punishment and deterrent to the wrongdoer.
Call the Bozeman Wrongful Death Attorneys at Beck, Amsden & Stalples, PLLC
Wrongful death claims are typically filed against the appropriate insurance company. For instance, against a reckless driver’s auto insurance after a car accident death, or malpractice insurance after a death caused by medical malpractice. Sadly, insurance companies are not on your side. Instead, they may protect their profits at your expense, sometimes shifting liability to the deceased loved one who cannot defend themselves.
Instead of leaving such a crucial legal process in the hands of an insurance adjuster who works for the company, reach out to the wrongful death lawyers in Bozeman at Beck, Amsden & Stalples, PLLC to speak to a Bozeman personal injury attorney who is ready to represent you and your lost loved one.