Wrongful Death

Arizona’s laws about wrongful death cases are similar to those in the rest of the country, but each state has its own nuances.

To understand how the law in Arizona is applied, it’s important to define what wrongful death really means and to clear up any misconceptions about who can file a lawsuit.

What is Arizona’s Definition of Wrongful Death?

Throughout the state of Arizona, wrongful death refers to the death of a person who reasonably shouldn’t have passed away. In many cases, this means the death was unexpected and those who survived may struggle with grief.

Who can File a Wrongful Death Claim?

Only certain people can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Arizona. The right is restricted to:

• Surviving spouses
• Children
• Parents
• Guardians

If there are no surviving relatives or guardians, a lawsuit can be raised on behalf of the decedent’s estate.

These types of suits are further restricted in that you can only file if the person who passed away would have had a valid personal injury case if they had survived.

It’s always best to talk to a wrongful death lawyer who can evaluate your circumstances and provide you with legal advice.

Types of Wrongful Death cases

A Wrongful Death in Arizona is the death of any person who reasonably shouldn’t have passed away. This means that a this type of death can occur in a wide range of circumstances and the type of case can be very broad.

Some of the most common types of Wrongful Death cases we work on include deaths caused by:

• Auto accidents 
• Miscarriage
• Nursing home abuse

You can find out more about the different types of unexpected death cases we cover by reading our guide to wrongful death settlements in Arizona.

Wrongful Death case results

Some recent Wrongful Death cases we’ve won for clients include;

• $800,000 following the death of a 76-year old grandfather, father and husband in an auto-accident in Mesa, AZ. The at-fault driver had taken medication before driving and was charged with negligent homicide.
• $215,000 following the death of a wife and mother who was killed in a car accident in Chandler by a driver on prescription medication.