Wrongful Death:

Have you suffered the loss of a loved one due to the negligence or fault of someone else?

The loss of a loved one affects you in so many ways: Loss of affection, companionship and love. If there are young children and/or young grandchildren the loss of help in raising them and guiding them to be successful with good values. And of course the loss of a loved one can make things so difficult financially for you.

Call Attorney Bruzonsky today (480) 969-3003. He will handle your wrongful death case with the greatest sensitivity for your feelings while demanding the greatest compensation for your loss. The sooner he hears your case, the sooner he can begin to help you.

Following is some general information regarding Arizona Wrongful Death Law which Attorney Steve Bruzonsky has assembled for your convenience:

If your loved one’s death was caused by the negligence (failure to exercise reasonable care) of another person, by a defective product or drug, or by medical negligence, then Arizona law allows certain family members to file a wrongful death action for monetary damages. Of course, money won’t bring back your loved one. But money will help you/your children/your family members get on with your lives. And perhaps you/your children/your family members can use the money to improve your lives, such as attending school or college that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford, to start a family business, or even to take special family vacations to spend time with each other. Used in this manner, your loved one will leave you/your children/your family members with an extra special positive legacy for your future.

Arizona law regarding Wrongful Death is set forth at Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) §§§ 12-611, 12-612 and 12-613. The surviving spouse, child, parent or guardian, or personal representative of the deceased person (decedent) may file a Wrongful Death lawsuit on behalf of the surviving spouse, children or parents. The personal representative is the person appointed by the State of Arizona to represent the beneficiaries. If there is a guardian or personal representative appointed, they are recovering monetary damages on behalf of the surviving spouse, children and parents. Damages will be claimed for the injuries, both emotional and financial, that the surviving family members (spouse, children, and/or parents) have suffered due to the death of their loved one. Damages may include loss of financial support from decedent (considering decedent’s future earnings/income and estimated pension/retirement benefits) and loss of companionship and affection. Damages are distributed to each surviving family member in proportion to each of their damages. The amount recovered for the surviving family members is not subject to debts or liabilities of the decedent.

If there are no surviving spouse, children or parents, then other family members (brothers or sisters, grandparents, cousins, etc.) may have the estate’s personal representative file a lawsuit on behalf of the deceased person’s estate and they may participate in recovery through the estate. Damages on behalf of the decedent’s estate will be limited to financial (not emotional) damages. The amount recovered by decedent’s estate is subject to debts or liabilities of the decedent. The amount recovered by decedent’s estate, after payment of debts or liabilities of the decedent and any probate costs, is then distributed to the estate’s beneficiaries in accordance with Arizona law.

Please note that a Wrongful Death lawsuit, under ARS §§§ 12-611, 12-612 and 12-613, is different from a Survival lawsuit. ARS § 14-3110 provides that decedent’s injury claim may survive decedent’s death and may be asserted by the personal representative of decedent’s estate, but that damages for the decedent’s pain and suffering shall not be allowed.