When a loved one has died as the result of intentional actions or negligence on the part of another person, the issue is not necessarily over once the criminal case is decided. There is still the option of close family members choosing to file what is known as a wrongful death suit. Before choosing to pursue this type of civil action, it is in the best interests of the client to hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Rockland County NY.
Examining the Evidence
The Wrongful Death Lawyer in Rockland County NY will look at the available evidence from a fresh perspective. This is important, especially if the incident has received a fair amount of publicity. An attorney can step back from the situation, look at all the know evidence from an objective point of view, and advise the client of whether or not such a suit has a chance of being successful.
Further Investigations
The lawyer will not rely solely on evidence that is already collected, or the conclusions that others have drawn from that evidence. In many instances, he or she will retain the services of a private investigator. This can often lead to more information that has some sort of relevance to the suit itself. The result is that this additional evidence may be all that is needed to convince a jury that the defendant is indeed guilty of causing the death.
Independent of Any Criminal Trial
While the person accused of causing the death may be standing trial already, that does not have a direct bearing on the civil suit. This is especially true if that criminal trial ends with the jury finding the defendant not guilty or if the case is thrown out on a technicality. Since a wrongful death suit is a civil rather than a criminal matter, the family is free to seek damages in addition to any action that is taken in the criminal courts.
Preparations for the suit can be underway while the criminal case is being heard. From there, the suit can be filed by once the criminal matter is settled one way or the other. Thanks to this approach, the chances of the family being able to receive closure and get on with their lives are enhanced. Contact Rockland Injury Lawyers for more information on how this type of civil suit works and how pursuing this course of action may be the right thing to do.
