The death of a child due to medical malpractice, an accident, or an intentional act is devastating. Some parents find some meaning in holding the responsible parties accountable.

Bringing a lawsuit after the wrongful death of a minor in Connecticut can help your family work through grief productively. A wrongful death lawsuit can also sometimes spare other families from suffering. Talk to the compassionate lawyers at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, to evaluate your legal options.

Situations That Can Lead to the Wrongful Death of Children

Unfortunately, fatal accidents can happen to anyone. Young people are especially susceptible because they are early in their physical, emotional, and intellectual development.

When someone’s negligent or intentional act causes a death, parents may have grounds for a lawsuit. Situations that could lead to a claim concerning the wrongful death of a child include:

Anytime another party’s action or inaction contributes to a preventable death, a claim may be possible.

A Connecticut attorney must prove that the party was negligent and that their negligence was the direct cause of the death. People who supervise children must meet a high standard to avoid negligence. They can often be held responsible for accidents at schools, playgrounds, daycares, and children’s camps.

Understanding Wrongful Death Claims

Connecticut General Statutes § 52-555 governs claims for wrongful death. It allows the administrator of a deceased person’s estate to bring a claim seeking compensation from a party who is legally responsible for a death.

When a child dies, one of the child’s parents usually will be the administrator of the estate. When another person handles this duty, they must file the lawsuit, but the proceeds go to the deceased person‘s nearest surviving relatives—usually the parents. In most cases, the administrator must file the lawsuit within two years of the child’s date of death.

It can be impossible to deal with practical matters when you are grieving a devastating loss. Our caring team of attorneys at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, will relieve as much of your burden as possible and handle every portion of your Connecticut wrongful death case to completion.

Punitive Damages Are Sometimes Appropriate

Many parents who have lost a child want to make sure that other families do not have to go through what they are experiencing. Bringing a wrongful death claim is a way to hold the responsible parties accountable. In some cases, seeking punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and discourage others from similar conduct is also appropriate.

Punitive damages are extra compensation awarded when a judge or jury finds that a party’s conduct is especially reprehensible. In a wrongful death case, a Connecticut attorney must prove that the responsible parties’ actions were malicious, grossly negligent, or that their conduct showed depraved indifference to the rights of others.

The punitive damages standard is hard to meet, but in appropriate cases, punitive damages send a strong message. Parents who want to prevent the situation that killed their child from occurring again should discuss punitive damages with their legal representative.

Seek Justice After a Child’s Wrongful Death With a Connecticut Attorney

There is nothing that can make up for the loss of a child. When someone else’s conduct contributed to the death, sometimes parents find comfort in holding that party accountable.

The attorneys at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, provide effective and compassionate representation in cases involving the wrongful death of a minor in Connecticut. We offer no-cost consultations which can be held in our offices or remotely if you prefer. Contact us as soon as you are able.