Ottawa Wrongful Death Lawyers

The loss of a loved one is devastating. When you lose a loved one unexpectedly, the grief can be overwhelming. If someone else is responsible for causing your family member’s death, whether intentionally or accidentally, you may have the right to take legal action against them.

Your loved one deserves justice. Our compassionate Ottawa wrongful death lawyers at SG Injury Law could help you make sure the liable party is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Find out how to get started on your case when you contact our office at (613) 518-2416 for a free consultation.

When to Contact SG Injury Law

When you lose a loved one to another’s negligence, you need a wrongful death lawyer with experience handling cases involving fatal accidents. At SG Injury Law, we understand that no amount of money can replace your loved one. However, our Ottawa injury lawyers work tirelessly to help ease the financial burden that a wrongful death can cause and fight for justice for lost loved ones.

Common Causes of Wrongful Deaths in Ottawa

Fatal accidents can occur as a result of someone else’s negligence in a variety of unfortunate circumstances. In Ontario, motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of fatal unintentional injuries. However, a wrongful death claim may arise from:

When to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Under Ontario’s Family Law Act, wrongful death claims can be brought forward by surviving spouses and other close family members when another person’s actions cause the death of a loved one.

Still, you may not be sure whether you have grounds for an Ottawa wrongful death lawsuit. Wrongful death lawsuits can be thought of as personal injury claims brought forward on behalf of the decedent. To win a wrongful death lawsuit, your wrongful death lawyer will need to prove the following elements:

The person filing the claim must be related to the decedent as outlined in Part V of the Family Law Act. This includes spouses, parents, grandparents, siblings, and children.
The decedent was killed through the fault of another.
If the decedent had lived, they would have suffered injuries that warranted tort action.
The surviving family members suffered damages as a result of the decedent’s passing.

The best way to find out what legal options may be available to you and your family during these devastating times is to contact a wrongful death lawyer in Ottawa for support and advice. Your lawyer can examine the facts surrounding your case and help you go over your options moving forward.

What Damages Can Surviving Family Recover in an Ottawa Wrongful Death Claim?

Losing a family member in an accident can be devastating to those left behind. If a loved one has died in an accident and someone else was at fault, his or her surviving spouse, children, parents, grandparents, brothers, and sisters are entitled to benefits and damages.

Every family may be affected by the loss of a loved one differently. Your family has the right to recover both pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages. Pecuniary damages are your financially-based losses while non-pecuniary damages do not have a monetary value.

However, some of the more common types of damages your family could recover as part of your wrongful death lawsuit include:

Loss of guidance and support
Costs of grief or mental health counseling
Loss of income, financial support, and future earning potential
Loss of household services and support
Loss of love and companionship
The decedent’s medical expenses and healthcare costs
Necessary traveling expenses to be with the decedent prior to their passing
Actual funeral and burial expenses

Furthermore, in motor vehicle accident cases, certain accident benefits are available regardless of who was at fault. These include the death and funeral benefits available under the Ontario Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS). The death and funeral benefits include:

$25,000 or $50,000 in spousal benefits
$10,000 or $20,000 independence benefits
Funeral benefits of $6,000 or $8,000

The amount of additional benefits that you could collect for a fatal car accident can vary depending on your personal auto insurance policy coverage. Find out more about what your lawsuit could be worse when you contact your wrongful death lawyer in Ottawa.

Limitations Periods and Other Deadlines for Wrongful Death Claims in Ottawa

To pursue your tort wrongful death claim, you need to make sure your lawsuit is filed before the general limitations period expires. Under Ontario’s Limitations Act, you may only have up to two years to file your wrongful death lawsuit. Once the limitations period has passed, you will no longer have the right to pursue your tort claim.

It should also be noted that there are important deadlines for submitting required forms when seeking damages through a tort or insurance claim. Failure to get these papers filed before these deadlines pass can result in the refusal to pay any expenses that occurred before the necessary forms were filed.

Do not risk the outcome of your Ottawa wrongful death lawsuit by ceiling to get a strong legal advocate on your side who can ensure that procedural details including specific deadlines and the general limitations period do not prevent you from getting the justice your loved one and your family deserve.

Get Help From an Ottawa Wrongful Death Lawyer Today

If you have lost a family member in a fatal accident in Ottawa or Eastern Ontario, it is important that you hire an experienced wrongful death lawyer to help you and your family obtain the caring support and full compensation you deserve.

We have the skills and experience to help you and your family through this difficult time. To find out what legal actions may be available to you and your family during these difficult times, contact a dedicated Ottawa wrongful death lawyer at SG Injury Law today. Complete our quick contact form or call our law firm at (613) 518-2416 to schedule your free consultation.