Sevier County Personal Injury Lawyers Seek Justice in Wrongful Death Cases 

Helping families of visitors and locals in Sevierville, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge whose lives were changed by the death of a loved one.

A wrongful death is one that occurs as a result of one person either willfully or negligently bringing about the death of another person. A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil (non-criminal) action that may be brought by the victim’s family or estate to collect damages on their behalf. The intent is to provide fair compensation for the injuries to the deceased and to provide relief for family members who suffered either financially or emotionally from the wrongful death. Your Sevierville wrongful death attorney suit can file the suit in addition to any criminal charges arising from the same willful or negligent act.

If a loved one has died as a result of another’s negligence you should seek the guidance of an experienced Sevier County wrongful death lawyer. The attorneys at Delius & McKenzie, PLLC have more than twenty years’ experience protecting the rights of families in and around Sevierville, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, when willful or negligent acts have deprived them of a loved one’s companionship, financial security and emotional support. There is no case is too complex for our skills, or too big for our resources. Let us put our years of experience to work for you.

What are some examples of wrongful death lawsuits?

An action for wrongful death may be brought for any act, whether intentional or unintentional, that causes an injury resulting in death. Here are only a few examples of circumstances that could prompt a wrongful death lawsuit:

• During an argument a person receives an intentional blow to the head and later dies
• The driver of an automobile operates it carelessly, unintentionally causing a fatal accident
• A homeowner fails to enclose a swimming pool; a child is attracted to the pool and drowns.
• A tourist attraction fails to secure its equipment or uses a defective product, and a visitor is fatally injured

The standard of proof, however, differs from that in a criminal case: proof of guilt in a criminal case must be “beyond a reasonable doubt”, while the decision in a wrongful death lawsuit is the less stringent “by the preponderance of evidence.” Probably the best-known wrongful death lawsuit in America was the action brought against football star O. J. Simpson by the families of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson. Although acquitted in 1995 of murdering his ex-wife and Goldman, a Superior Court jury in Santa Monica, California, found him liable for their wrongful deaths and required him to pay a total of $33.5 million in punitive and compensatory damages. 

Who may sue for wrongful death?

Generally speaking, the surviving spouse is the proper representative to sue any person who caused the injuries that precipitated the death. However, each state’s laws enumerate the parties entitled to sue for wrongful death. In Tennessee others may be eligible to bring suit, called “distributes,” including parents of the deceased, children of the deceased and, in certain cases, their grandchildren. The wrongful death attorneys of Delius & McKenzie, PLLC protects the families of residents and visitors alike. This area has a number of popular tourist attractions and activities designed to showcase the beauty of Sevier County. If your loved one has died while traveling or visiting Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg or Sevierville, we guide you through the process of the claim and help you find closure.

Experienced Tennessee lawyers getting justice for the families of wrongful death victims

In order to win a wrongful death case your lawyer must prove that the defendant’s actions were the direct cause of death. To meet this standard of proof you should seek the counsel of the Sevier County personal injury attorneys at Delius & McKenzie, PLLC serving clients in and around Sevierville, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

Delius & McKenzie, PLLC are ready to help. We offer the compassionate, personal and professional attention you deserve, guiding victims and their families through the most difficult times in their lives. To schedule a no-obligation consultation with a wrongful death attorney, please call 865-428-8780 or fill out our contact form.