Crofton & Bowie Wrongful Death Attorneys
Standing Up for Clients & Seeing that Justice Is Delivered
The unexpected death of a loved one can be an overwhelming time. You must deal with the emotions of grief as well as the financial burden of trying to pay for any medical or funeral expenses. This can be especially difficult if the person who died was the primary breadwinner in the family.
If your loved one passed away as the result of a wrongful death, this can make the situation even more tumultuous. At Skipper Law, LLC, we understand how difficult this time can be, which is why our Crofton and Bowie wrongful death attorneys provide compassionate legal representation.
While a successful legal battle will never be able to replace your loved one, holding the responsible party accountable is incredibly important. Whether we can settle outside the courtroom, or the case must go to trial, you can expect that we will do whatever it takes to help you get the closure and restitution you need to move on.
To arrange a free consultation to discuss your case, call our experienced Maryland wrongful death lawyers at (410) 919-2121 or contact us online.
What Qualifies as Wrongful Death?
According to Maryland statue §3-901, wrongful death is whenever someone dies as the result of neglect, recklessness, or any act, including felonious ones, in which the deceased would have been able to file a lawsuit and receive damages had they not died.
Examples of incidents that may result in wrongful death include:
- Car accidents
- Medical negligence
- Premises liability
- Dangerous and defective products
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Action?
The deceased’s wife, husband, parent, or child are all capable of filing wrongful death actions. However, if nobody falls into any of those categories, it can be filed by anyone dependent on the deceased so long as they are related either by blood or marriage.
The Types of Damages You Can Recover From a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Maryland divides wrongful death cases into two parts: a wrongful death claim and a survival claim.
Wrongful Death Claim
A wrongful death claim is used to seek damages for the emotional and financial burdens that come as a result of the loss of a loved one. Economic damages typically include any lost earnings or lost financial support that would have been provided as well as the value of the services the deceased would have provided to the family had they not passed away. Examples of these include cooking, cleaning, childcare, and other household tasks. Noneconomic damages include restitution for the emotional turmoil you must go through because of the death of a loved one.
Survival Claim
This is filed on behalf of the estate of whoever passed away. Much like a wrongful death claim, the estate can receive both economic and noneconomic damages. However, these are measured in terms of the harm done to the deceased.
Examples of these include:
- Medical expenses for any care needed before your loved one’s untimely death
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost earnings from the time the period the loved one was injured to the time they died
- Pain and suffering your loved one experienced as a result of whatever caused their death
When you need us, we’ll be there for you. Just call (410) 919-2121 for a free consultation.
Contact Skipper Law, LLC Today!
Losing a family member is never easy, and it is important that you take the time to grieve and process your emotions. When you’re ready to pursue the case, our Crofton and Bowie wrongful death attorneys will be there to help you gather necessary evidence and details about the responsible party. We put your goals and needs at the forefront of every case and take the time to answer any questions you may have.
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Anonymous Estate and Family v. Multiple Defendants $1.9 Million
Recovery for family of wrongful death victim.
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Anonymous v. BJ and Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. $875 Thousand
Substantial recovery for victim of another’s negligent driving that necessitated surgery.
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Anonymous Family v. Defendant Driver $850 Thousand
Near policy limits recovery was paid to the family of a young woman wrongfully killed by a negligent driver.
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Anonymous v. Building Owner $775 Thousand
Substantial recovery for the victim of a slip-and-fall accident who suffered a traumatic brain injury.
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Anonymous v. PM and Insurance Company $250 Thousand
Policy limits paid to a man who lost mobility due to the negligence of another.
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G.M. v. P.M. $250 Thousand
A husband was struck by his estranged wife with the couple’s pickup truck when the wife, who was backing out of the drive, suddenly drove forward, crushing Ms. Skipper’s client’s leg between the truck and a parked vehicle. The insurance carrier did not extend coverage until the client was represented by Mr. Skipper, who advocated that the wife’s “Alford plea” in the criminal case was not an admission of guilt and could not be used in the civil claim for personal injuries.
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Anonymous v. Defendant Trucking Company $175 Thousand
Recovery for victim struck by a large truck that failed to stop at a red light.
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Anonymous v. Defendant Driver and Nationwide Insurance Co. $112 Thousand
Six-figure recovery for victim of a multiple roll-over accident that claimed less than $20,000 in medical expenses.
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Anonymous v. Defendant Homeowner $100 Thousand
Sizable recovery for a minor attacked by a dog, causing injuries which required multiple stitches.
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KB v. Defendant Driver $100 Thousand
Policy limits tender for client with limited medical expenses, but suffered permanent injuries in her hands and wrists as a result of the accident.
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Personal Injury D.T. v. Anonymous Pharmacy
When a pharmacy negligently filled the wrong prescription, Mr. Skipper’s client suffered partial temporary paralysis of his legs. Mr. Skipper brought claims on behalf of his client, who did make a full recovery, and the case was resolved on terms favorable to Mr. Skipper’s client.
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Personal Injury J.C. v. Erie Insurance
Mr. Skipper represented a man hurt in a hit-and-run accident who suffered substantial back injuries when a reckless driver pulled out in front of the client, and then fled the scene of the accident. Mr. Skipper’s client had preexisting back pain, and was scheduled for spinal surgery two weeks after the date of the accident. Despite the preexisting back condition and the pending surgery, Mr. Skipper obtained a settlement of behalf of his client of more than three times the medical expenses and lost wages.
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Personal Injury C.L v. Baltimore Gas & Electric
Mr. Skipper represented a tenant and property owner against a public utility for claims arising from what plaintiffs alleged was an unsafe condition a home in Lothian, Maryland. Plaintiffs alleged that despite numerous calls, the public utility failed to remedy the problem, which plaintiffs alleged caused an electrical fire during a birthday party with children present. The case was featured in print media and on WBAL-Baltimore’s nightly news, and was resolved on confidential terms.
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Personal Injury R.P. v. Jason Handley
Mr. Skipper represented a young woman who alleged that she was brutally assaulted on her own porch by the Defendant. The Defendant denied liability, and the case was tried before a jury in Calvert County, Maryland. The jury returned a verdict in favor of Mr. Skipper’s client, finding that the defendant did commit battery. The award constituted the full sum sought for medical expenses, as well as compensatory damages for pain and suffering.