What Is a Wrongful Death According to Arizona Law?

A wrongful death occurs when someone dies due to the negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct of another person or entity. In Arizona, the law recognizes that certain family members have the right to seek compensation when their loved one’s death was preventable.

This legal definition of wrongful death encompasses situations where the deceased would have had grounds for a personal injury lawsuit if they had survived their injuries. This means that proving a wrongful death case requires demonstrating that someone else’s actions or failures directly led to your loved one’s death—that’s exactly what a Chandler wrongful death attorney from our referral network intends to do for you.

You need to file your case before the statute of limitations deadline passes (typically two years), and that’s where a Chandler wrongful death lawyer from our referral network will be instrumental.

Wrongful Death Cases Our Referral Network Handles (and Has Experience Handling for Many Clients)

Unfortunately, negligence happens far too often in far too many corners of everyday life in Chandler. Some types of negligence are especially dangerous, though, and such negligence includes:

Medical Malpractice and Hospital Errors

Medical errors have been recognized as the third leading cause of death in the United States, and Arizona communities, including Chandler, are sadly included in that statistic.

Healthcare facilities in the Chandler area, including Chandler Regional Medical Center, Banner Ocotillo Medical Center, and other large and smaller medical practices, sometimes fail to meet the standard of care that patients deserve. Fatal medical errors can include:

  • Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of serious conditions like heart attacks, strokes, or cancer
  • Surgical errors (which can happen even during routine procedures)
  • Medication mistakes involving wrong dosages or dangerous drug interactions
  • Birth injuries that result in infant or maternal death
  • Anesthesia errors during surgery
  • Emergency room negligence that delays critical treatment

The wrongful death lawyers in our referral network understand the technical complexity of fatal medical malpractice cases, and they work with highly qualified experts to enhance these cases.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Arizona’s roadways present daily dangers when drivers fail to exercise reasonable care, and fatal accidents often stem from preventable behaviors. There were 1,197 fatal motor vehicle accidents in Arizona

in a recent year, each of them heart-wrenchingly tragic.

Chandler’s busy roadways, including the Loop 101, Interstate 10, and major surface streets like Chandler Boulevard and Arizona Avenue, see their share of fatal accidents increase because of:

  • Drunk or impaired driving
  • Distracted driving, particularly texting while driving
  • Speeding and reckless driving
  • Running red lights or stop signs
  • Failing to yield the right-of-way
  • Drowsy or fatigued driving

If your loved one died from injuries suffered during a fatal collision, the attorneys in our network will hold any negligent driver and other responsible parties accountable.

Workplace Accidents

Despite safety regulations, some Chandler employers fail to maintain safe working conditions, leading to fatal on-the-job accidents. These incidents often involve:

  • Construction site accidents including falls from heights, equipment malfunctions, being struck by objects, and collisions at highway work zones
  • Industrial accidents involving machinery, chemical exposure, or explosions
  • Transportation incidents affecting delivery drivers, truckers, and other commercial vehicle operators
  • Inadequate safety training that leaves workers unprepared for dangerous situations

Even if a work-related accident did not result from an employer’s negligence, you may have ample grounds to pursue a wrongful death action. A work-related fatal illness is also a reason to reach out to a Chandler wrongful death attorney from our referral network.

Premises Liability Incidents

Property owners have a fundamental responsibility to maintain safe conditions, yet tragic accidents continue to occur when this duty is neglected, and innocent people are killed due to:

  • Slip and fall accidents
  • Swimming pool accidents, including drownings
  • Building collapses or structural failures
  • Inadequate security leading to violent crimes
  • Dangerous conditions in parking lots, walkways, or staircases

If you believe a loved one passed away because of a property owner’s negligence, give us a call as soon as you can.

These are just a few of the many ways that wrongful deaths happen in Chandler. Think about it, and reach out to our referral service if you even suspect that your loved one might still be alive if someone had acted in a more cautious, responsible way.

Who Can Pursue a Wrongful Death Claim?

Arizona law specifically outlines who has the legal standing to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Understanding these requirements is vital for families seeking justice:

Some potentially eligible parties include:

  • The deceased’s spouse
  • Children
  • Parents (if the deceased was unmarried with no children)
  • Personal representatives of the estate.

Each of these parties may have different types of damages they can recover, and the law prioritizes certain relationships over others when multiple parties are involved.

What’s the Cost of Losing Someone You Love? It’s Immense.

When families pursue wrongful death claims in Chandler, they can seek various compensable damages to address both economic and non-economic losses. These damages aim to provide financial stability and acknowledge the profound impact of their loss.

Economic Damages

The financial impact of wrongful death extends far beyond immediate expenses, affecting families for decades to come. These damages can include:

  • Lost earnings and benefits that the deceased would have provided throughout their lifetime
  • Medical expenses related to their fatal injury or illness
  • Funeral and burial costs
  • Loss of inheritance that the deceased would have accumulated had their loved one lived longer
  • Value of household services the deceased provided

These quantifiable losses form the foundation of economic recovery, though they represent only part of a family’s total devastation.

Non-Economic Damages

While financial losses can be calculated with objective precision, the emotional and relational losses families suffer can be significantly more subjective. Calculating the following non-economic damages will require your Chandler wrongful death lawyer from our network to get to know who your loved one was and how their loss has affected you:

  • Pain and suffering (including grief)
  • Loss of companionship and consortium
  • Loss of guidance, care, and protection
  • Emotional distress and mental anguish
  • Loss of love and affection

Calculating these damages requires careful analysis of the deceased’s age, health, earning capacity, and family relationships. The Chandler attorneys in our referral network work with economic experts, vocational specialists, and other qualified professionals to ensure that all potential damages are properly valued and pursued.

How Our Referral Network’s Attorneys Will Seek Justice and Honor Your Loved One

Losing someone you love is devastating enough without having to battle insurance companies and navigate complex legal procedures on your own. That’s where the attorneys from our network step in to handle the fight while you focus on grieving and healing.

Building Your Case From The Ground Up

Building a strong wrongful death case starts with understanding exactly what happened. The legal teams in our network immediately begin gathering evidence. Their comprehensive investigative approach includes:

  • Speaking with witnesses
  • Consulting accident reconstruction specialists
  • Talking to medical professionals (their insight can help draw the link between negligence and fatal injuries or illnesses)
  • Working with workplace safety consultants when job-related deaths occur

Every piece of evidence they uncover can strengthen your case, so they take this stage of the case extremely seriously.

Proving Someone Failed Your Loved One

Successful wrongful death claims require proving four essential elements of negligence, which are:

Duty of care establishes that the responsible party had a legal responsibility to protect your loved one’s safety. Healthcare providers must deliver competent treatment, motorists must follow traffic rules, and companies must maintain safe workplaces for their employees.

Breach of duty shows how the defendant fell short of their responsibility. The attorneys we refer might prove that a physician ignored standard protocols, a driver ran a red light, or a business violated established safety guidelines.

Causation connects the defendant’s failure directly to your loved one’s death. Through medical expert testimony, crash analysis, or workplace investigations, they establish the clear link between their negligence and the tragic outcome.

Damages document the full scope of your family’s suffering, from financial hardships like lost future earnings to the immeasurable pain of losing someone irreplaceable.

Building a case around these four pillars creates an unshakeable foundation that holds negligent parties accountable for their actions.

Taking On The Insurance Companies

Insurance adjusters aren’t on your side, despite what they might say. They’re trained to minimize payouts, especially in wrongful death cases where substantial damages are at stake.

The Chandler wrongful death attorneys in our referral network know the delay tactics, the lowball offers, and the attempts to blame the victim that insurers too often employ. You don’t need these headaches ever—and especially not as you try to heal from a life-changing loss.

Fighting For You In The Courtroom

Sometimes, the only way to get fair compensation is to take a case before a jury. If settlement negotiations fail due to circumstances beyond their control, the attorneys we connect you with are fully prepared to present your case in court.

Keeping You In The Loop at Every Turn

Throughout this entire process, the lawyers in our network keep you informed without overwhelming you with legal details. They explain what’s happening without mincing words, guide you through important decisions, and ensure you always know your case’s status.

Also, know that if you need mental health services or any other resource that will aid in your healing, the attorneys from our referral network will work hard to provide whatever you need.

Why Our Referral Network Attorneys Are the Advocates You and Your Loved Ones Deserve During This Difficult Time

When you’re dealing with the unthinkable loss of someone you love, the last thing you want to worry about is whether your attorney will fight as hard as you would. The attorneys in our referral network become your voice when grief saps your strength, and the legal battle feels overwhelming.

They Fight Like Family

Their commitment goes beyond legal representation—they take your loss personally. While they can’t bring back your loved one, they can make sure those responsible face the full consequences of their actions.

You’ll Never Feel Alone In This Process

Grieving families need more than just legal experience—they need someone who understands that behind every case is a real person whose absence has shattered lives. The attorneys we refer will display their care for you through:

  • Regular updates delivered with sensitivity and care
  • Clear explanations of legal procedures without overwhelming jargon
  • Flexible meeting schedules that work around your family’s needs
  • Direct access to your attorney when questions arise

This comprehensive support helps families navigate the legal process while focusing on what matters most—healing and remembering their loved one.

Your Case Gets Their Full Attention

The attorneys in our network intentionally limit how many wrongful death cases they handle at once. This means your attorney will know your name, your story, and every detail that makes your case unique. You’ll work directly with experienced trial lawyers from day one, not junior associates learning on the job.

No Upfront Costs, No Financial Risk

The lawyers we refer handle all wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless they recover compensation for your family. This arrangement ensures that financial concerns never prevent families from pursuing justice. They cover all case expenses during the legal process, from expert witness fees to court costs, so you can focus entirely on grieving and healing without worrying about mounting legal bills.

We Know You’re Grieving, But Your Wrongful Death Case Cannot Wait. Call Our Referral Service Today.

If you believe your loved one’s death resulted from someone else’s negligence, taking prompt action protects your legal rights and improves your chances of a successful outcome. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories fade, and legal deadlines approach quickly.

Contact our referral service immediately to discuss your situation with experienced wrongful death attorneys. We’ll connect you with qualified lawyers who will evaluate the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death and explain your legal options during a free consultation.

Gather important documents, including death certificates, medical records, police reports, employment information, and any correspondence with insurance companies. These documents help the attorneys understand the full scope of your case.

Avoid statements to insurance companies beyond basic factual information about the incident. Insurance adjusters often try to obtain statements that can be used to minimize or deny claims later.

Let the attorneys from our network lead the way in fighting for the compensation you deserve.

Call Law Bear today at (309) 365-6510 for your free consultation about connecting with a Chandler wrongful death attorney.