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mike bottaro wrongful death attorney

Rhode Island Wrongful Death Lawyers

Have you lost a loved one due to someone else’s carelessness or wrongful acts? Your family may have the right to pursue financial relief from those responsible for your loved one’s death. 

The Rhode Island wrongful death lawyers of Bottaro Law stand ready to help you seek compensation for the expenses and losses arising from your loved one’s passing and the emotional distress and grief you have suffered. Mike and his team have fought for the rights and interests of accident victims and their families in Rhode Island for over two decades. When you turn to us for help, you can expect us to relentlessly pursue maximum compensation.

Mike founded Bottaro Law on the core values of standing up for regular people against big insurance companies. We fight for bereaved families in Rhode Island – and win. We offer 24/7 availability and consistent communication so our clients have peace of mind and can focus on grieving their loved ones and finding a path forward. 

Many families find comfort and closure by seeking a measure of justice for their deceased loved one. Let us help you do the same. If your family has lost a loved one due to someone else’s wrongdoing, contact Bottaro Law for a free initial consultation with our Rhode Island wrongful death lawyers. 

Why You Should Choose Our RI Wrongful Death Attorneys

If your family has lost a loved one due to the negligence of others, you have many lawyers and law firms to choose from for legal help – but you need to choose the best law firm for you. Mike and his team at Bottaro Law are confident that we are that firm. 

You should hire the knowledgeable attorneys at Bottaro Law to handle your wrongful death claim because:  

  • Our legal team has decades of combined experience dedicated exclusively to injury and wrongful death claims. We are prepared to take on large companies and insurers to help families pursue maximum compensation. We can take your case to trial if necessary to get you the best outcome.
  • We offer a “No Fee Guarantee,” which means you and your family owe no fees unless we win your case. We provide free no-obligation initial consultations to hear your story and explain your legal options.
  • Our team takes the time to get to know every client. When you hire Bottaro Law, you can expect us to start working on your case immediately so your family can heal and move forward after the devastating loss of a loved one.

Causes of Wrongful Death in Rhode Island

At Bottaro Law, we represent families who have lost loved ones in accidents such as:

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Rhode Island?

In Rhode Island, a wrongful death claim should be filed by the executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate. If there is no executor or administrator, or the executor or administrator fails to file a claim within six months of the death, a beneficiary of the deceased may file a claim. 

Compensation from a successful wrongful death claim will be distributed to the deceased’s beneficiaries. The following family members are eligible to recover compensation:  

  • A surviving spouse
  • Any surviving children

The deceased’s next of kin under Rhode Island’s intestacy law, if they left no surviving spouse or children

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Rhode Island? 

In Rhode Island, a wrongful death claim should be filed by the executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate. If there is no executor or administrator, or the executor or administrator fails to file a claim within six months of the death, a beneficiary of the deceased may file a claim. 

Compensation from a successful wrongful death claim will be distributed to the deceased’s beneficiaries. The following family members are eligible to recover compensation:  

  • A surviving spouse
  • Any surviving children
  • The deceased’s next of kin under Rhode Island’s intestacy law, if they left no surviving spouse or children

Compensation in a Wrongful Death Claim in Rhode Island

Although no amount of money can bring a loved one back, your family deserves to pursue compensation for the losses you have suffered due to your loved one’s death. You might be entitled to seek compensation for the following losses: 

  • Medical expenses incurred to treat the deceased’s final injury or illness
  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Loss of the deceased’s expected future financial contributions to the family
  • The value of services the deceased provided to the family and household, including homemaker or child care services
  • Loss of the deceased’s care, companionship, and guidance
  • Pain and suffering

Certain surviving family members can also recover compensation for direct losses they have experienced due to a loved one’s passing:

  • A surviving spouse may recover compensation for loss of consortium and their emotional distress or grief.
  • A surviving child may recover for the loss of their parent’s society and companionship and their emotional distress and grief.
  • A surviving parent may recover for the loss of their deceased child’s society and companionship and their emotional distress and grief.

Proving Negligence in a Wrongful Death Case

Succeeding in a wrongful death case requires persuasive evidence to demonstrate the other parties’ fault for your loved one’s passing. Some examples of evidence our firm uses to prove negligence in wrongful death claims include:

  • Police accident reports
  • Business accident and incident reports
  • Accident scene photos and videos
  • Eyewitness statements
  • Surveillance, dashcam, and traffic camera videos
  • Cell phone records
  • Medical records
  • Drug and alcohol test results
  • Expert reports and testimony provided by accident reconstruction, engineering, safety, and medical experts

What Is the Time Limit for Filing a Rhode Island Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Under Rhode Island’s statute of limitations for wrongful death claims, your family has three years from a loved one’s death to file a lawsuit against the parties who caused your loved one’s passing. However, if you do not know that someone else’s wrongful act or negligence caused your loved one’s death, you have three years from when you discover, or should discover through reasonable diligence, the circumstances behind your loved one’s passing.

Failing to file a wrongful death lawsuit before the deadline will likely result in losing your right to pursue compensation in civil court. For this reason, you should not delay talking to our Rhode Island wrongful death lawyers about your family’s rights. 

Wrongful Death FAQs

The wrongful death of a loved one can be one of the most difficult times in your life. Our attorneys know your family has been through enough, and we’re here to help you understand your rights and guide you through every step of the legal process.

Wrongful Death

What is wrongful death?

Wrongful death occurs when an individual’s death is caused by the wrongful actions or negligence of another. Wrongful death claims may be brought against the individuals or entities that caused the death, and in many cases, more than one party may be named as possible defendants. Common causes of wrongful deaths include workplace injuries, auto accidents, drunk driving accidents, medical malpractice, and defective products.

Who can bring a wrongful death claim?

In Rhode Island and Massachusetts, wrongful death claims can be brought on behalf of the deceased by their family or estate. In most cases, affected family members bring wrongful death lawsuits. These individuals may have their own claims for personal losses. Since wrongful death actions are civil lawsuits, any liability on the part of the defendant(s) is expressed in monetary damages.

Wrongful death actions are lengthy and complex, and it’s important to have an experienced legal team who understands state laws and court rules and regulations. If you’re considering bringing a wrongful death claim on behalf of a loved one, contact Bottaro Law today.

Do I need an attorney to bring a wrongful death claim?

Having an attorney on your side while pursuing a wrongful death claim can be extremely beneficial. If you decide to bring a wrongful death claim, you’ll need to have various types of evidence, and you’ll need experienced professionals to help you investigate. Wrongful death lawsuits have specific timelines that must be adhered to, and it’s difficult to estimate your potential damages. The experienced attorneys and staff at the Bottaro Law Firm, LLC have the resources and experience to guide you through all steps of this process, and we want to make sure that your legal rights are protected. Our goal is to achieve the best possible outcome for you and your family during this difficult time.

Get a trusted car accidents lawyer on your side

Contact Our Rhode Island Wrongful Death Lawyers Today

If you have lost a family member due to someone else’s wrongdoing, you deserve to pursue justice and financial relief for your loss. Contact Bottaro Law today for a free no-obligation consultation with our Rhode Island wrongful death lawyers. Let us fight for your rights while you and your family grieve and heal.

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