Lenoir City Wrongful Death Lawyers, Tennessee

Help from our Lenoir City wrongful death attorneys after the tragic loss of a loved one

Here at Banks & Jones, we offer heartfelt condolences to those who have suffered the devastating loss of a loved one due to the negligence or wrongful actions of others. Losing a family member under such circumstances is an unimaginable burden, and we understand the profound emotional and financial challenges you may be facing. As experienced Lenoir City, TN wrongful death attorneys, we are dedicated to providing compassionate support and fierce advocacy to families seeking justice for their loved ones. Our mission is to guide you through this difficult journey with empathy, integrity, and determination, helping you navigate the legal process and pursue accountability against those responsible. Let us be your allies in seeking the closure and compensation you deserve for your losses.

How can we help?

What is wrongful death?

Wrongful death refers to a situation where someone is killed due to the negligence or wrongful act of another person or entity. In such cases, a civil lawsuit can be filed by certain surviving family members to seek compensation for their losses. It’s important to remember that wrongful death is a civil action, separate from any potential criminal charges that might be brought against the responsible party.

Who can bring a wrongful death claim in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, only certain family members can bring a wrongful death claim, and the order of priority is as follows:

  1. Surviving spouse: The right to file initially belongs to the deceased person’s legally married spouse at the time of death.
  2. Surviving children: If there is no surviving spouse, the right to sue passes to the deceased’s children.
  3. Surviving next-of-kin: If there are no surviving children or a spouse, the right to file the lawsuit is granted to the deceased’s siblings or other eligible next-of-kin.
  4. Personal representative of the estate: If none of the above family members are available or choose not to pursue the claim, the personal representative or administrator of the deceased’s estate can initiate the action.
  5. Surviving parents: Only in specific cases can a deceased person’s surviving parent(s) bring a claim. This applies only if the deceased was financially dependent on them at the time of death.

If you have questions about your eligibility to bring a wrongful death claim in Lenoir City, TN, our attorneys can answer your questions in a consultation.

What types of accidents lead to wrongful death?

Wrongful death can occur as a result of various types of accidents and incidents caused by the negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct of others. Some common types of accidents that can lead to wrongful death include:

  • Car accidents: Fatalities resulting from car crashes, including collisions involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians, are among the leading causes of wrongful death.
  • Medical malpractice: Negligence by healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, surgeons, or hospitals, can lead to wrongful death due to misdiagnosis, surgical errors, medication errors, birth injuries, or failure to provide appropriate treatment.
  • Workplace accidents: Fatalities occurring in workplace accidents, such as construction accidents, industrial accidents, falls, electrocutions, or exposure to hazardous materials, may lead to wrongful death claims against employers, contractors, or manufacturers.
  • Defective products: Wrongful death can result from the use of defective products, including faulty vehicles, defective medical devices, unsafe consumer products, or dangerous pharmaceutical drugs.
  • Premises liability accidents: Fatalities occurring on another person’s property due to dangerous conditions, such as slip and fall accidents, inadequate security, dog attacks, or swimming pool accidents, may lead to wrongful death claims against property owners or managers.
  • Dangerous drugs and substances: Fatalities resulting from the use of dangerous drugs, prescription medications, or exposure to toxic substances may lead to wrongful death claims against pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers, or distributors.
  • Criminal acts: Wrongful death can result from criminal acts such as homicide, assault, battery, or domestic violence, leading to civil wrongful death claims against the perpetrator or parties responsible for the incident.

These are only a few examples of the types of accidents and incidents that can lead to wrongful death claims. We understand that each case is unique, and the circumstances surrounding the incident will determine the potential liability and legal recourse available to the surviving family members. Consulting with an experienced Lenoir City wrongful death attorney is important to understanding your rights and pursuing justice on behalf of your loved one.

Who is liable for my Lenoir City wrongful death claim?

Determining liability in a wrongful death claim depends on the specific circumstances surrounding the incident that led to the death of your loved one. Liability may extend to various parties who were negligent, reckless, or responsible for the fatal incident. Some potentially liable parties in a wrongful death claim may include:

  • Negligent drivers: If the death occurred as a result of a car accident, motorcycle accident, or pedestrian accident caused by the negligence of another driver, that driver may be held liable for the wrongful death.
  • Medical professionals: If the death resulted from medical malpractice, such as misdiagnosis, surgical errors, medication errors, or failure to provide appropriate treatment, the healthcare professionals, hospitals, or medical facilities involved may be held liable.
  • Employers: If the death occurred in a workplace accident, such as a construction site accident or industrial accident, the employer, contractor, or manufacturer responsible for the unsafe work conditions may be held liable for wrongful death.
  • Property owners: If the death occurred on another person’s property due to dangerous conditions, such as slip and fall accidents, inadequate security, or dog attacks, the property owner or manager may be held liable for wrongful death.
  • Manufacturers: If the death resulted from the use of defective products, such as faulty vehicles, defective medical devices, or unsafe consumer products, the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of the defective product may be held liable.
  • Criminal perpetrators: If the death resulted from criminal acts, such as homicide, assault, battery, or domestic violence, the perpetrator may be held liable for wrongful death.

Determining liability in a wrongful death claim typically requires a thorough investigation, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and more. Consult with an experienced wrongful death attorney in Lenoir City to protect your rights and pursue compensation on behalf of your loved one.

What is the value of my Lenoir City wrongful death claim?

Determining the value of a wrongful death claim involves evaluating factors unique to the specific circumstances of your case. While it’s challenging to provide an exact value without knowing the details of your situation, here are some key factors that can influence the value of a wrongful death claim:

  • Economic damages: Economic damages typically include the quantifiable financial losses resulting from your loved one’s death, such as medical expenses incurred before death, funeral and burial expenses, loss of income and financial support that the deceased would have provided to dependents, and the value of services the deceased would have provided.
  • Non-economic damages: Non-economic damages are more subjective and may include compensation for the pain and suffering experienced by the deceased before death, loss of companionship, loss of consortium, emotional distress, and the impact of the loss on family members’ quality of life.
  • Punitive damages: In cases involving egregious misconduct or intentional wrongdoing, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the responsible party and deter similar conduct in the future. However, punitive damages are not awarded in every wrongful death case and depend on the specific circumstances.

The overall value of your wrongful death claim will depend on the specific circumstances surrounding the incident, the losses suffered by surviving family members, and the strength of the evidence supporting your claim. Our experienced wrongful death attorneys can assess your case, calculate the damages, and advocate on your behalf to seek the maximum compensation available under the law.

Do you have a Lenoir City wrongful death lawyer near me?

Banks & Jones is located at 2125 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37921. We are right off Route 40 and offer on-site parking. If you are too ill or too injured to come to us, we can meet via video or call to talk about your case.

Compassionate Lenoir City wrongful death lawyers helping your family

If you’ve lost a loved one due to the negligence or wrongful actions of another, seek legal guidance to ensure justice is served and your family’s rights are protected. Our dedicated team of wrongful death attorneys in Lenoir City, TN understands the immense pain and suffering you’re experiencing and is here to offer unwavering support and legal expertise during this difficult time. We are dedicated to pursuing accountability and securing fair compensation on behalf of your loved one, and we stand ready to handle the legal system and advocate fiercely on your behalf. We will work tirelessly to honor the memory of your loved one and provide the closure and financial support your family deserves. Call our offices or fill out our contact form today to speak with a skilled attorney. We serve Loudon County, Tennessee.