We Fight for Grieving Families in Summerlin

At Ladah Law Firm, our Summerlin wrongful death lawyers have the professional experience, legal expertise, and the know-how to help grieving families seek justice and compensation. Our firm has recovered more than $300 million in insurance settlements and trial verdicts for our clients, including seven figure and eight figure results in wrongful death cases. Was your loved one killed in an accident caused by another party’s negligence? We are here to help. Contact us today for a free, completely confidential consultation with a top Summerlin wrongful death attorney. 

We Handle All Types of Wrongful Death Cases in Summerlin, Nevada

Unfortunately, far too many people are killed in accidents in Summerlin each year. Every one of these losses is a horrific tragedy. Family members and other loved ones are left trying to put the pieces back together. At Ladah Law Firm, we are committed to helping grieving families navigate the complexities of the wrongful death process. A wrongful death claim is a civil cause of action through which eligible surviving family members can seek justice, accountability, financial support, and some level of closure. We take on the full range of wrongful death claims in Summerlin, including: 

  • Car accidents; 
  • Motorcycle crashes; 
  • Pedestrian collisions; 
  • Semi-truck accidents;
  • Train accidents; 
  • Fall accidents; 
  • Defective products; 
  • Medical malpractice; and
  • Nursing home abuse. 

An Overview of Wrongful Death Liability

Claimants Must Establish Liability

In Nevada, wrongful death claims arise when a person dies due to the legal fault of another party. Fault may result from negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions. In some cases—such as with a product liability claim—a defendant may bear strict liability for a fatal incident. Still, most wrongful death lawsuits in Nevada are negligence claims. Negligence refers to a failure to act with the level of care that someone of ordinary prudence would have exercised under the same circumstances. What type of conduct rises to the level of negligence is highly case-specific. It could include anything from a motorist texting and driving to a property owner failing to take adequate security measures.

Modified Comparative Negligence Standard

Under Nevada law (N.R.S. § 41-141), the state follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule. Our state’s modified comparative negligence standard applies to the full range of accident and injury cases—including wrongful death claims. In cases where the deceased may have been partly at fault for the incident leading to their death, this rule applies. The damages awarded to the surviving family can be reduced in proportion to the deceased’s percentage of fault. For example, imagine that a pedestrian was killed in a collision in Summerlin. The at-fault driver was speeding. However, the pedestrian was jaywalking. If the pedestrian was deemed 20 percent at fault for the fatal accident, their survivor’s wrongful death compensation could be reduced by a corresponding 20 percent. 

Who has the Right to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Nevada?

The untimely death of an innocent person impacts an entire community. When someone is involved in a fatal accident in Summerlin, the devastation is felt across many lives. However, not every person who cared about the victim has legal rights under Nevada’s wrongful death law. Even if you were very close to the victim, you only have the ability to bring a civil wrongful death lawsuit if you have a qualifying relationship. Parties that may be eligible to file a wrongful death suit in Nevada include:  

  1. The deceased person’s spouse or domestic partner.
  2. The deceased’s children.
  3. The deceased’s parents, if there are no surviving children or spouse; or
  4. The personal representative of the deceased’s estate.

The Statute of Limitations for a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Nevada

The statute of limitations sets a deadline for filing a wrongful death lawsuit in Nevada. Under state law (N.R.S. § 11.190), a wrongful death lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of the deceased person’s death. There are very limited exceptions—such as in cases in which the victim’s death was not immediately knowable. Do not wait to take action: Failing to file within this timeframe typically results in losing the right to sue. Consult with a Summerlin, NV wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible. 

What Types of Compensation Can You Recover in a Wrongful Death Claim?

There is no amount of financial compensation that can bring a person back. At the same time, families need the maximum financial support. A large wrongful death settlement or verdict sends the best message. Damages in a wrongful death case generally fit into one of three broad categories: 

  • Economic Losses: Economic damages are financial losses. Some examples include out-of-pocket medical bills, funeral costs, burial costs, and loss of financial support.
  • Non-Economic Losses: Of course, the damage associated with the loss of a family member is largely non-economic in nature. A wrongful death claim must include compensation for non-economic damages, such as your loss of companionship, loss of love, loss of moral support, and loss of consortium.
  • Punitive Damages: In cases where the defendant’s conduct is found to be especially harmful, Nevada courts may award punitive damages. These are not related to the actual harm suffered but are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar misconduct. 

Understanding Survival Action Claims in Nevada

Depending on the specific nature of the fatal accident, your family may also have a second type of civil legal claim called a survival action claim. Although they are often filed at the same time. survival actions are distinct from wrongful death claims in Nevada. A survival action claim may be warranted if your loved one lived after the accident itself, but eventually passed away due to the severity of their injuries—potentially hours, days, weeks, or even months later. 

While wrongful death claims provide compensation for the survivors’ loss, survival actions seek damages that the deceased could have claimed had they survived. These may include medical expenses incurred before death, pain and suffering experienced by the deceased prior to passing, and lost wages from the time of injury to death. In Nevada, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate is responsible for filing a survival action. Any damages recovered through the claim become part of the estate and are distributed accordingly. 

Why Rely On the Summerlin Wrongful Death Lawyers at Ladah Law Firm

The loss of a family member to a fatal accident is devastating. There is truly nothing that could ever be enough to make things right after such a terrible loss. At the same time, grieving families need justice and financial support. At Ladah Law Firm, our attorneys are committed to putting the rights of people first. We fight for victims and families—not large corporate giants or their insurance companies. Along with other things, our Summerlin wrongful death attorney is prepared to: 

  • Listen to you story and answer legal questions about Nevada’s wrongful death laws;
  • Investigate the fatal incident—gathering evidence and identifying defendants;  
  • Guide you through the claims process, including any settlement negotiations; and
  • Take action to help you get justice, accountability, and the maximum compensation. 

Schedule a Free, Confidential Consultation With a Summerlin Wrongful Death Attorney

At Ladah Law Firm, our Summerlin wrongful death lawyers are compassionate and experienced advocates for justice. Lost a loved one to a fatal accident? You need a top attorney. Get in touch with us by phone at (702) 570-2075 or contact us online for a free, no commitment initial case review. We represent families in wrongful death claims in Summerlin and throughout Clark County.