Wrongful Death

Overview of our services…

More often than we like to see, the effects of a personal injury can result in the ultimate devastation — the tragic and unexpected loss of a loved one.

HAMSTEAD, WILLIAMS & MEEK PLLC realizes that nothing we do can restore any semblance of what a family loses when death strikes.

And in detail…

Pursuing a claim could be met with a variety of motivation:

For some people, it means of bringing closure to the tragedy
For others, it may be essential to restoring lost income to a family with needs and obligations to minor children.

Whatever a family’s motivation may be for requiring answers to difficult legal questions, HAMSTEAD, WILLIAMS & MEEK PLLC has the experience and toughness to get the results you deserve, and the compassion and sensitivity to help you cope with the crisis as well as possible.

Wrongful Death

HW&M can help you navigate through this difficult time and get results to help release some burden for your family.

In detail…

A wrongful death claim is a suit that arises from the death of an individual that was caused by the conduct of another. A wrongful death suit is different from other types of personal injury claims because the actual victim (the “decedent”) is not bringing suit, rather it is the family members or the decedent’s estate. As such, a wrongful death claim is brought to recover damages for the injuries that the surviving family and/or estate have suffered due to the death of the victim.

At Hamstead, Williams & Meek P.L.L.C., we understand that no amount of money can make up for the loss of a loved one. However, we help our clients achieve financial security so they can focus on recovering from their loss.

To file a wrongful death suit in West Virginia, you must show that:

The death of a person was caused by a wrongful act, neglect or default;
The act, neglect or default would have entitled the person to file an action to recover damages had the death not occurred;
There are surviving beneficiaries, children, or dependents of the victim (W. Va. Code § 55-7-5);
Monetary damages have resulted form the decedent’s death.

West Virginia law makes a distinction between persons who can file a wrongful death suit and persons who are beneficiaries. Only certain individuals can file wrongful death claims, and those that are allowed to sue do so on behalf of others. In West Virginia, a personal representative of the deceased person may file a suit on behalf of the surviving spouse, children or parents. A personal representative is a person appointed by the estate of the decedent to represent the beneficiaries.

Your Hometown Law Team

HW&M will review the facts and circumstances surrounding your case and discuss all your options.

ADDRESS

Hamstead, Williams, & Meek PLLC | 68 Clay Street, Suite C, Morgantown, WV 26501

Phone: (304) 296-3636 | Fax: (304) 291-5364

DISCLAIMER

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Hamstead, Williams & Meek PLLC and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

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