When the death of a loved one is due to someone else’s negligence, the victim’s survivors may wish to hold the responsible party accountable. For this reason, they may be interested in pursuing a wrongful death claim. Through a wrongful death claim, the victim’s survivors can seek compensation for medical and funeral expenses, loss of income, loss of companionship and other damages they suffered due to their loved one’s death.
However, it is important to note that individuals only have a certain amount of time to file a wrongful death claim in Wisconsin. This is known as the “statute of limitations.” Once the statute of limitations is up, a lawsuit can no longer be filed based on the facts of that case.
Under Wisconsin law, if a person is killed in a car accident, the victim’s survivors have two years from the date of the accident to pursue a wrongful death claim. If a person is killed due to the negligent or wrongful actions of another in a way that does not involve a motor vehicle, then the victim’s survivors have three years to pursue a wrongful death claim.
So, it is important not to wait too long to determine if you have the grounds to pursue a wrongful death suit. During a time of grief, it may be difficult to focus on the cause of your loved one’s death. However, the many expenses and damages that come when a person is killed due to another’s actions can soon become overwhelming. In situations like this, a person should explore the possibility of a wrongful death claim and take action if appropriate.
