Helping Families Find Closure After a Wrongful Death in Providence
The loss of a family member due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another is heartbreaking. During this difficult time, Karns & Kerrison understands that you may be experiencing grief, sadness, anger, and confusion. We want to help you get a wrongful death claim underway, while making sure you have the time and space you need to grieve.
Cases We Take On
At Karns & Kerrison, we fight for clients who have lost loved ones due to:
- Aviation accidents
- Bus crashes
- Defective products
- Motorcycle accidents
- Auto and truck accidents
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Hospital negligence
- Dog bites/attacks
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Workplace accidents
With more than 85 years of collective experience, our Rhode Island wrongful death attorneys at Karns & Kerrison are happy to provide exemplary legal counsel and advocacy. We are veteran trial lawyers whose reputation and experience in the courtroom have enabled us to secure large verdicts and settlements for our clients. We won't let a negligent party get away without answering for the devastating loss they have caused you.
Contact Karns & Kerrison online or call 401-841-5300 to learn more in a free, confidential consultation. There are no fees unless we win.
What Is a Wrongful Death?
A wrongful death is defined as the preventable loss of life due to someone else's actions. Those bereaved often have the right to file a civil lawsuit to seek compensatory damages created by the loss. These civil lawsuits do not depend on any criminal proceedings, or lack thereof, over the death.
A wide variety of parties may be held responsible for causing a wrongful death, such as corporations, employers, federal and local governments, negligent drivers in fatal car accidents, doctors or hospitals responsible for medical malpractice, or manufacturers of defective products.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Rhode Island statute 10-7-2 states that a wrongful death lawsuit must be filed by the administrator of the deceased's estate, if an estate exists. If the deceased did not have an estate at the time of their death, then the surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim in court.
Rhode Island prioritizes which surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit, or receive compensation for damages, as follows:
- Surviving spouse and children
- Surviving spouse but no children
- Heirs of the estate, which may include the parents, grandchildren, or other parties
Under the statute of limitations, eligible persons must file a wrongful death claim within three years from the date of their loved one's death. That noted, it is best to start on the legal process as early on as possible. To give yourself the best chance of success, an attorney will want to thoroughly investigate your case to build a strong lawsuit. We know you are grieving, but it's important to contact our Rhode Island wrongful death attorneys as soon as possible.
What Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful Death Claim?
The surviving family members of a wrongful death victim are eligible to recover economic, non-economic, and, in some cases, punitive damages. It all depends on the facts of the case.
Economic damages include:
- Lost income and benefits (or potential earning) of the decedent
- Medical costs incurred prior to their death
- Funeral and burial expenses
Non-economic damages may cover:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship, care, guidance, etc.
- Lost “homemaker” services the decedent would have provided to the family
Punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer for their negligent or criminal actions that caused the wrongful death. These damages are only awarded on a case-by-case basis, such as in those involving a drunk driver or major corporation that willfully put others at risk.
Our Rhode Island wrongful death lawyers can help you understand how much compensation you may be entitled to. We genuinely care about winning justice for you, your family, and your lost loved one.
Get Started on Your Case Today
If you have lost a loved one because of the negligence or wrongdoing of another party, we would like to extend our deepest condolences. Nothing can make up for such an unexpected loss. At Karns & Kerrison, we understand this. Still, we have helped many clients find peace of mind by holding the at-fault party accountable for their actions, thereby protecting others from losing loved ones to the same negligence/wrongdoing.
Contact us online for a free consultation with a Rhode Island wrongful death lawyer.