When someone you love dies, you are overwhelmed by emotions. Grief, shock, and sadness will all affect you in the weeks following your loved one’s passing—but if your relative died while under hospital care, you may also experience something else: anger.
In order to cope with the loss and take steps to find out what happened, you must keep calm. Here are a few do’s and don’ts that will protect you and your family as you prepare to settle a deceased family member’s affairs:
DON’T:
- Sign any forms. If a hospital error was responsible for your loved one’s death, you may be encouraged to sign a form stating you will take no legal action against them. It is important to read every document you sign after a loved one’s death. If you can, do not sign anything without an attorney present.
- Accept a settlement. Hospitals have teams of attorneys who specialize in protecting their employer from liability. If they offer you any monetary compensation in return for your dropping the case, it means you very likely have a good case against them—and could get much more than they are offering you.
DO:
- Look for a life insurance policy. In order to get life insurance benefits, you will need to file a death benefit claim. This involves mailing a claims form with a copy of the deceased’s death certificate to your provider.
- Pursue an investigation. Too often, survivors are so busy coping with loss that they do not think to have the details of the death investigated—especially if the relative was ill or elderly.
- Learn your options. Survivors may not get all of the benefits they are entitled to after a loved one’s passing simply because they do not know how to claim them—or even know that they exist. A good attorney can explain your legal rights and help you discover what you are owed.
A Louisville wrongful death case could get you and your family justice for the untimely death of a loved one, and it will cost you nothing to get the facts. If your loved one was the victim of medical malpractice in Louisville, the attorneys at Gray and White Law can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (800) 634-8767 or fill out the contact form on the top of this page to start your FREE consultation.