Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?

One of the most common wrongful death claim questions Dickman Law Office encounters is:  who can file a wrongful death claim?

In the state of Kentucky, the following beneficiaries are eligible to file wrongful death claims:

  • Surviving spouse (if there are surviving children, the spouse will normally receive one-half of the benefits, and the remaining half will be distributed evenly to the children of the deceased; if no children survive the deceased the entire amount is normally given to the surviving spouse)
  • Surviving children (if there is no surviving spouse, the children will receive all of the proceeds from the claim)
  • Parents of the deceased (providing there is not a surviving spouse or child)
  • Siblings of the deceased (providing there is not a surviving spouse, child, or parent)
  • If there are no surviving relatives of the deceased, all proceeds will be turned over to the state (unless a Will states that the estate’s monies are to be turned over to a charity or there is some other stipulation determining where and how the monies are to be distributed).

A wrongful death claim can be filed in any number of cases where there is negligent or careless conduct by another person or organization that may have caused the death of someone else.

Covington Wrongful Death Claim Representation

Dickman Law Office has successfully litigated hundreds of wrongful death claims in Covington, Kentucky. Contact our office today for a free consultation.

Posted in: Personal Injury, Wrongful Death