Calgary Wrongful
Death Lawyers

Typically, immediate family members of the victim are legally allowed to file a wrongful death claim. This can mean a parent, spouse, child, or other family members, depending on the family dynamic. In most cases, you must bring your lawsuit within two years of your loved one’s death, but there are exceptions. The circumstances surrounding the death, who was at fault, and other factors can all affect this timeframe.

To protect your rights, and your opportunity to seek justice, it’s important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. We understand the difficulty in making that first call, but we’ll make the remainder of the process as easy for you as we possibly can. You should gather what evidence you can while it is fresh, including pictures, emails, interviews, and contact information of witnesses to make the case go as smoothly and quickly as possible.

Our Edmonton wrongful death lawyers will guide you through the process, but in general, you can expect to receive the following kinds of damages:

• Damages suffered by the victim before their death, such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, and property damage
• Funeral costs, including burial and travel expenses
• Loss of financial support
• Pain and suffering of the survivors
• Punitive damages

Regardless of the cause of death, the law is clear. Negligence resulting in death is a punishable offence. Not only will justice be served, but by pursuing legal action you may be able to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.

First and foremost, you can anticipate working with a team of knowledgeable wrongful death lawyers within Alberta that have the experience and empathy necessary to make the process as painless as possible. We understand that this is one of the hardest times of your life and we will work hard for you so you can concentrate on the important matters that come with an unexpected death.

• Medical malpractice: Medical professionals may be held responsible for wrongful death if their negligence or errors during diagnosis, treatment, or surgery result in a patient's death
• Car accidents: Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of wrongful death in Canada. If a driver's recklessness, intoxication, or negligence caused the accident, they could be held responsible for the resulting death
• Workplace accidents: When workers lose their lives due to unsafe working conditions or inadequate safety measures in the workplace, these can be considered wrongful deaths
• Product liability: Defective or dangerous products that cause fatal injuries can result in wrongful death claims against manufacturers, distributors, and retailers
• Criminal acts: Wrongful death can also occur as a result of criminal acts such as murder, manslaughter, and assault

Wrongful death refers to a civil lawsuit that is filed by the family or estate of a person who has died due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another party. The purpose of a wrongful death lawsuit is to seek financial compensation for the losses suffered by the surviving family members, such as lost income, funeral expenses, and emotional distress.

A criminal case involves charges brought by the government against a person or entity who has committed a crime, such as murder, manslaughter, or criminal negligence causing death. The purpose of a criminal case is to punish the offender and deter others from committing similar crimes.

The time it takes to settle a wrongful death lawsuit in Canada can vary widely, as each case is unique and depends on a range of factors. A wrongful death lawsuit in Canada can take anywhere from several months to several years to settle. Generally, the more complex the case, the longer it may take to reach a resolution. It is also important to note that settlements reached outside of court may be resolved more quickly than cases that go to trial. We highly recommend consulting a legal professional experienced in wrongful death cases who can provide more specific information about the potential duration of a particular case.

It is possible to file a wrongful death lawsuit against a government entity. However, government entities are protected by something called "Crown immunity," which means that they can claim immunity if legal action is brought against them in certain circumstances.