Hobbs Wrongful Death Lawyers

Little is as shocking or tragic as losing a loved one in a wrongful death. For whatever reason, someone else’s negligence, carelessness, or malice has ended the life of your family member, leaving you and others behind to grieve, try to make sense of a senseless situation, and put your lives back together without the love, affection, and, in many cases, the financial support of the deceased. 

Wrongful death law was designed to address this situation for survivors. This allows you to seek justice through civil means beyond criminal actions taken to punish convicted offenders. In New Mexico, the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate can file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the family survivors. This allows for survivors to be financially compensated as a form of justice for what they have suffered as a result of the wrongful actions of the responsible party. The Gorilla Law Firm can help you in this matter by fighting for the maximum compensation that you and your family need and deserve in the wake of such devastating accidents.  

Put The Gorilla on your side with the help of a Hobbs wrongful death attorney by connecting with us through online message or by phone at (806) 375-3855. Your initial consultation is obligation-free and complimentary.

Wrongful Death Claims in Hobbs, New Mexico

These cases can stem from accidents caused by negligence, recklessness, or carelessness, such as traffic collisions, as well as crimes committed with malice against victims. A wrongful death claim can be brought against the offender even while he/she is undergoing criminal prosecution. Wrongful death cases are adjudicated in civil as opposed to criminal court which allows for a case to be decided on a “preponderance of evidence” as opposed to “beyond a reasonable doubt.” This means your claim does not face such a high measure of legal determination. 

In a wrongful death claim in our state, the personal representative of the estate files the claim. If no representative has been named earlier by the decedent, the court will appoint one to represent the estate and its survivors.

Wrongful death damages can include:

• Funeral and burial costs
• The medical expenses incurred by the decedent prior to death
• Expected earnings and benefits of the decedent if he/she had lived
• Any other financial input the decedent may have brought to the household
• Pain and suffering of the decedent prior to his/her death
• Emotional distress suffered by the surviving family members due to the death
• Loss of companionship, consortium, guidance, or counseling that the decedent would have provided
• Property damage, such as to the decedent’s vehicle in an auto accident 

These damages are typically distributed to the victim’s spouse, children, parents, grandchildren, or siblings, depending on the circumstances. However, damages in these cases may be awarded by the court in any manner it deems fair and just.