Your Legal Guide to Wrongful Death Law in Las Vegas

Hiring a lawyer who is sensitive to your family’s needs can reduce your stress through the legal process. At Richard Harris Law Firm, our team of Las Vegas wrongful death lawyers is personable, professional, and accessible.

You don’t have to face the legal battle surrounding your loved one’s death alone. Our wrongful death attorneys are here for you. Call today at (702) 444-4444 or complete a free initial consultation form. When you have questions, we can talk—you are always guaranteed access to your lawyer.

[jury_verdicts_slider]

Wrongful Death Injuries Resources

OUR PROCESS

The timeline of a personal injury case can be complex and emotionally draining. At the Richard Harris Personal Injury Law Firm, we have a proven Case Resolution Process to ensure our team is communicating and preparing you for each stage and the best possible settlement.
READ MORE

Common Wrongful Death Accidents

Regardless of what caused your loved one’s death, you may are left with lost support and companionship, unpaid medical bills, funeral costs, pain and suffering, and more. A Las Vegas wrongful death lawyer at Richard Harris Law Firm cares about your family’s fair treatment.

What Caused Your Loved One’s Death?

There are a variety of potentially devastating accidents that may lead to a wrongful death lawsuit, such as:

Motor Vehicle Accidents
Whether your loved one was the victim of an accident caused by an intoxicated driver, an over-worked truck driver, or a reckless motorcyclist, our Nevada wrongful death attorneys can help.
Medical Malpractice
At Richard Harris Law Firm, we consider medical negligence unacceptable. If your loved one’s healthcare provider made a mistake or his negligence or misconduct caused you harm, you may be entitled to compensation.
Product Liability
If your loved one was injured or killed by a defective product, medical device, or drug that is dangerous or unsafe, you may be able to make a claim against the company that designed, manufactured, sold, or distributed the product
Workplace Accidents
It’s the responsibility of employers to provide their employees with a safe work environment. If your loved one’s employer failed to do so, he or she may be held responsible for your loved one’s death.

Damages

The financial strain of losing a loved one can put even more stress on your family. If someone’s negligence is responsible for your loved one’s death, you may be able to file a claim for damages—or monetary compensation—for:

anticipated earnings,
burial and funeral costs,
lost wages,
medical expenses,
pain and suffering,
and more.

Available Damages

There are different types of damages you can file for when pursuing a wrongful death claim, including:

Compensatory
Damages designed to “compensate” you and your family (plaintiffs) for expenses that are reimbursable, such as funeral expenses, medical expenses, lost wages, etc.

Punitive
Damages designed to “punish” the at-fault parties (defendants) for their behavior, such as negligence, intentional action (or inaction), recklessness, etc.

Who Can File a Claim?

Under Nevada law, “heirs and personal representatives” of the deceased may file a wrongful death claim. You may be considered an heir or personal representative of the deceased if you are:

An immediate family member (child, spouse, parent)
A legal dependant
A representative of his or her estate

Who Can’t File?

Nevada law also stipulates that there are certain individuals who may not qualify for wrongful death damages, which includes:

Fiancés and fiancées
Foster children
Stepchildren
Unmarried partners

Proving Fault

Though wrongful death cases are different from other personal injury claims, proving that someone or something is at-fault for the accident is similar. Your lawyer must still prove that someone is negligent—or legally responsible—in order to collect damages for your claim.

Preparing Your Case

Building strong cases takes dedication. Our team of wrongful death attorneys has experience handling cases like yours. We know what to look for, who to talk to, and what facts to present to ensure you get the best results possible.

These are just a few of the steps we’ll take to prepare your case:

Collect expert testimonies
Conduct investigation
Evaluate the police/medical report
File paperwork
Gather evidence
Identify the liable party
Interview witnesses
Perform research

We’re here to handle the technicalities, so you can focus on your family and healing.

WHAT'S YOUR STORY?

Wrongful Death FAQ

My loved one died as a result of poor medical treatment. Can I file a wrongful death claim?

Yes. At Richard Harris Law Firm, we consider medical negligence unacceptable. If your loved one’s healthcare provider made a mistake or his negligence or misconduct led to your loved one’s death, you may be entitled to compensation.

Who can file a claim for wrongful death?

Under Nevada law, heirs and personal representatives of the deceased may file a wrongful death claim. You may be considered an heir or personal representative of the deceased if you are:

An immediate family member (child, spouse, parent)
A legal dependent
A representative of his or her estate

Who cannot file a wrongful death claim?

Nevada law stipulates that there are certain individuals who may not qualify for wrongful death damages, which includes:

Fiancés and fiancées
Foster children
Stepchildren
Unmarried partners

These individuals are ineligible to file wrongful death claims, even if they are beneficiaries on the loved one’s will or considered dependents.

What kind of damages can I file for?

If someone’s negligence is responsible for your loved one’s death, you may be able to file a claim for damages—or monetary compensation—for:

anticipated earnings,
burial and funeral costs,
lost wages,
medical expenses,
pain and suffering,
and more.

What’s the difference between compensatory and punitive damages?

Compensatory damages are designed to compensate you and your family (plaintiffs) for expenses that are reimbursable, while punitive damages are designed to punish the at-fault parties (defendants) for their negligence, intentional action (or inaction), reckless behavior, etc.

What does my attorney do to prepare my case?

These are just a few of the steps we’ll take to prepare your case:

Collect expert testimonies
Conduct investigation
Evaluate the police/medical report
File paperwork
Gather evidence
Identify the liable party
Interview witnesses
Perform research

How long do I have to file a wrongful death lawsuit?

In the state of Nevada, you have two years with the discovery rule. The discovery rule indicates that you have two years from the date the injury that caused your loved one’s death was discovered.