Preventable and tragic death caused by someone else’s negligent or malicious acts can cause unbearable pain and suffering for loved ones. The desire to hold the at-fault party liable for the harm they’ve caused may never have an expiration date, but no matter how egregious an accident was that led to someone’s death, there are time limits for filing a civil lawsuit to recover financial damages.
Complying with Connecticut’s deadlines and other legal requirements is crucial if you want to pursue a wrongful death claim on behalf of your family member. The attorneys at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, have over 100 years of combined experience representing clients in wrongful death cases. Our experience and in-depth understanding of the relevant laws and legal processes make us a valuable partner for anyone interested in pursuing wrongful death damages in Connecticut.
A statute of limitations is a deadline set by law that limits the amount of time that legal action may be taken. In wrongful death claims, this deadline requires that the deceased person’s executor or administrator initiate a legal claim within two years. The statute of limitations isn’t as straightforward as it may seem, though. When does the clock start ticking? Typically, wrongful death actions must be initiated within two years from the date of death.
There is one notable exception to the statute of limitations that could have a significant impact on cases in which an accident causes fatal injury, when there is a prolonged period of time between the accident and the death. Estates of accident victims usually have two years after the date of death; however, no claim can be made for damages more than five years after the incident that caused the fatal injuries.
This means that, for example, if your loved one was injured in a car accident and fought to recover from their injuries for four years before passing away, a legal claim must be made within one year after death rather than two years.
If a deceased person’s executor or administrator misses the window for filing a wrongful death lawsuit, the estate will not be able to recover damages from the at-fault party. Keeping track of both the two-year and five-year deadlines in these cases is crucial.
Attorneys with extensive experience in Connecticut wrongful death cases can help you determine how much time you have left and what needs to be done to prepare for filing a claim. At D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, our clients benefit from our 100+ years of combined experience as we help them:
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our wrongful death attorneys.
D’Amico & Pettinicchi proudly supports great causes throughout Connecticut. We are involved in our community and dedicated to making our community safer and healthier, and we carry that commitment through everything we do.
If you or someone you love has suffered an injury or illness, you need to take immediate action so we can start our investigation. It’s not just a legal matter; it’s about helping you rebuild your life.
We have a proven track record of success. Other lawyers refer their cases to us because we have the experience and resources to resolve these complex matters.
It’s important that you contact us right away, before evidence disappears and critical legal deadlines expire. Our office is centrally located in Watertown and we offer legal counsel to victims and their families throughout Connecticut. Contact us online or by phone to schedule a free remote or in-person consultation.
