West Haven Wrongful Death Lawyer

West Haven Wrongful Death Attorney

When someone else’s negligent actions cause you to lose a loved one, navigating the legal process in the midst of grief can be exhausting and overwhelming. A West Haven wrongful death lawyer from Miller, Rosnick, D’Amico, August & Butler can provide the legal guidance you need. We have a long history of helping local families pursue financial recovery after a tragic loss.

Our team offers compassionate guidance and advocacy to help families recover the costs of medical and funeral expenses and lost income. We work to help our clients better understand Connecticut wrongful death laws and how they can move forward with confidence during a difficult time.

Connecticut Wrongful Death Claims

A wrongful death claim arises when someone dies because of another person’s negligence, misconduct, or recklessness. In 2022, unintentional injury was the third leading cause of death in the United States, responsible for 218,064 deaths. Specifically in Connecticut, 8% of the deaths that year were related to accidents.

Car accidents are often a leading cause of accidental deaths, with West Haven reporting four traffic fatalities in 2025. One of those fatalities included a pedestrian, who was hit on I-95, and another on Grassy Hill Road in late 2025.

Other common causes of wrongful death in Connecticut include workplace incidents, medical negligence, defective products, and dangerous premises. Wrongful death claims in Connecticut are governed by state statutes. These outline what damages the estate can claim after a wrongful death.

Wrongful death claims occur more frequently than you might realize and are sometimes grounded in unprecedented circumstances. Recently, in fact, three local hospitals, including teaching facility Yale New Haven Hospital (York Street), were named in a wrongful death claim filed by the family of a 26-year-old Connecticut resident.

The young man, a dental student, was admitted to Bridgeport Hospital in Milford for abdominal pains. He was shortly after admitted to the ICU, where a doctor monitored him via telehealth. He was pronounced dead via a tele-health doctor, having never been actually seen by a doctor face-to-face, while in the ICU. The hospital’s admission that the death could have been prevented is a good sign that the family could be fairly compensated for the negligence of the hospital.

Another wrongful death claim was filed in Connecticut against OpenAI because the family of a woman claims ChatGPT persuaded the woman’s son to believe she couldn’t be trusted. The family claims the conversations with AI encouraged his paranoia and ultimately led to him killing his mother and himself.

Recoverable Damages in a Wrongful Death Claim

A wrongful death claim may be eligible for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses related to the fatal injury or illness and funeral and burial costs. They also cover lost income or earning capacity that the deceased might have earned to support the family.

Non-economic damages are non-monetary damages. These can include pain and suffering caused by the loss, a loss of enjoyment in life, and a loss of companionship. The value of your claim depends on the circumstances of your case. An experienced attorney can help you evaluate your case to determine a settlement amount that covers you and your family’s needs.

The Legal Process of Filing a Wrongful Death Claim

Understanding what is involved in the legal process of filing a wrongful death claim can help you feel more prepared and less overwhelmed. The process follows a general structure: 

• Discuss. Meet with a West Haven wrongful death lawyer for a consultation to review your situation and explain your legal options.
• Investigate. During this phase, your West Haven wrongful death attorney collects relevant evidence and identifies responsible parties. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 19a-406 wrongful death laws, certain accidental deaths are required by law to be examined by the state medical examiner.
• File a claim. The estate representative of the deceased must file the wrongful death claim. This can only be done by the person in charge of the estate. If a name is not designated in the will, a person is appointed by the court. Priority is given to the surviving spouse, children, or intestate dependents.
• Negotiate. Many claims are resolved through negotiation with the insurance companies, as litigation can lead to drawn-out and costly proceedings.
• Litigate. If a settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, the case proceeds to trial at the Connecticut Superior Court (New Haven Judicial District) located at 235 Church Street in New Haven.

Keep in mind that for negligence to be proven, there must be evidence of the items listed below:

• A duty of care was owed by the responsible party.
• There was a breach of that duty.
• The cause is directly linked to the death.
• Damages resulted in the loss.

Why Choose Us?

When you make the decision to hire a wrongful death lawyer, it can give you peace of mind during a difficult season of life. Miller, Rosnick, D’Amico, August & Butler can handle the investigation of the cause of death and work to calculate full and fair damages to help the family. We also negotiate with insurance companies to prevent you from feeling pressured into accepting a settlement offer that’s less than you deserve.

We know losing a loved one is crushing, and no amount of money can make up for your loss. Our goal is to get you the financial support you need to find some peace amid this difficult time.

FAQs

What Is the Wrongful Death Statute in CT?

Connecticut General Statute § 52-555 governs wrongful death claims in the state. The law allows the executor of the deceased to pursue damages if the death resulted from negligence or wrongful conduct. This outlines a statute of limitations of two years from the date of death for filing. Compensation can include medical costs, loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering.

What Are the Four Things Required to Prove Negligence?

The four things required to prove negligence after a wrongful death include a duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and measurable damages. The responsible party must have owed a duty of care to the deceased. There must have been a breach in that duty. Causation must link directly to the death. As a result, measurable damages must exist in the form of the loss of life, financial losses, or emotional suffering.

Is Wrongful Death Hard to Prove?

Wrongful death claims can be complicated, depending on the strength of the evidence. Challenges can include limited witnesses, liability disputes, and conflicting expert opinions. With a thorough investigation and strong legal representation, many claims are resolved successfully. An attorney can help you gather and preserve important evidence and help you navigate complex legal proceedings.

What Is the Difference Between Negligence and Malpractice?

The difference between negligence and malpractice is that negligence refers to the general failure to provide reasonable care, and malpractice applies specifically to medical or legal professionals. Negligence can occur in a variety of situations, such as on the roadways or on a commercial property. All malpractice is negligence, but not all negligence qualifies as malpractice.

Hire a West Haven Wrongful Death Lawyer Who Can Handle Your Claim

Deadlines are strict after a wrongful death in Connecticut. Seeking prompt legal help is essential to protect your claim and the financial security of your loved ones. Miller, Rosnick, D’Amico, August & Butler offer free consultations so that you can discuss your situation and learn more about your legal options.

Contact us to schedule your consultation. We’re ready to help you in seeking justice during an overwhelming time.

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