Duluth Wrongful Death Lawyer

We Help Families in Duluth Seek Justice After Tragic Losses

When a loved one dies due to the negligence or wrongful conduct of another person or entity, the loss can be overwhelming. When that loss is the result of another person's wrongful death, you and your family may be left to deal with an overwhelming amount of grief, financial loss, and numerous legal issues.

At Bye, Goff & Rohde, we know how difficult and overwhelming this time can be. Our Duluth wrongful death lawyer team is here to help you and your family navigate the legal system and seek justice for your loved one.

Call our office at (534) 202-5404 or fill out an online form to schedule a free consultation.

What is Considered a Wrongful Death?

In Wisconsin, there are three types of wrongful death cases:

• Negligence
• Intentional wrongs
• Criminal wrongs

A wrongful death is deemed "negligent" when someone's carelessness or recklessness causes a death. This can include drunk driving, texting while driving, or failing to keep a safe premises.

When another person's intentional or criminal conduct causes the death of another person, the victim's family can bring a wrongful death claim. This can occur when a person is murdered, commits suicide as a result of another person's harassment, or is killed in a criminal act.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in MN?

In Minnesota, a wrongful death claim can be filed by certain individuals who are considered "proper parties" under the state's wrongful death statute. The purpose of a wrongful death claim is to seek compensation for the damages resulting from the death of an individual caused by another party's negligence, wrongful act, or omission.

According to Minnesota law, the following parties are typically eligible to file a wrongful death claim:

• Surviving Spouse: The surviving spouse of the deceased person has the first right to bring a wrongful death claim. If the surviving spouse chooses not to bring a claim within a specified time frame, other eligible parties may have the right to do so.
• Children: If there is no surviving spouse, the children of the deceased person can file a wrongful death claim. This includes both biological and adopted children.
• Parents: If there is no surviving spouse or children, the deceased person's parents may be able to bring a wrongful death claim.
• Personal Representative: If none of the above parties file a wrongful death claim within a certain time frame, the personal representative of the deceased person's estate may bring the claim on behalf of the next of kin.

According to state law, the deceased individual's surviving spouse or next of kin must petition the court to appoint a "trustee" to file the lawsuit and oversee how the damages are distributed.

What Damages are Recoverable in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

The damages that can be recovered in a wrongful death lawsuit vary based on the type of case and the circumstances of the death.

In all cases, the surviving family members can recover damages for:

We can help you recover compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Funeral/burial expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earnings
• Loss of consortium
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship
• Emotional distress

Depending on the circumstances of your case, we may be able to recover punitive damages. Punitive damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer and to prevent the wrongful conduct from happening again.

We Can Help You Navigate the Legal System

At Bye, Goff & Rohde, we know how to navigate the legal system and we are prepared to seek justice on your behalf. Our Duluth wrongful death attorneys are committed to helping you and your family obtain the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today at (534) 202-5404 to learn how we can help you and your family.