Las Vegas Wrongful Death Attorney

In a wrongful death case, not only are you dealing with the tragedy of a friend or a loved one’s untimely death, but also with the knowledge that someone could have prevented it with due care. At Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP, it’s our mission to help families recover for the negligence of others after fatal accidents in Las Vegas.

After a fatal motor vehicle accident, premises liability accident, workplace incident, medical malpractice mistake, or violent crime takes the life of a beloved family member, contact our Las Vegas wrongful death attorney for a free initial consultation.

Why Choose Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP?

• Our attorneys have decades of experience with wrongful death cases and are not afraid to take your case to trial.
• We have earned a nationwide reputation for achieving record-setting verdicts and settlements.
• Our wrongful death lawyers can help you navigate the complex legal system.

Meet Your Attorneys

Brian Panish

One of the country’s leading trial attorneys, Brian Panish has obtained some of the most significant jury verdicts in United States history on behalf of plaintiffs. His courtroom victories include a $4.9 billion record verdict in the landmark products liability case Anderson v. General Motors, six verdicts in excess of $50 million, 32 verdicts and over 75 settlements in excess of $10 million in personal injury, wrongful death and business litigation cases.

Rahul Ravipudi

Rahul Ravipudi is a partner at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP and has spent his legal career handling catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases involving commercial vehicles, pedestrians, industrial or construction accidents, as well as dangerous conditions of public and private property. Licensed to practice in Nevada and California, Mr. Ravipudi serves as leadership counsel in some of the largest plaintiffs personal injury cases in the country.

Client Testimonial

I never once felt like a dollar sign to them. I felt like they were genuinely there to help my son and me.

I would highly recommend Panish Shea Ravipudi LLP to anyone who is seeking assistance for a wrongful death or personal injury case. I was referred to Brian Panish by my attorney in Nevada and it was the best thing for my family and case. I meet the whole team by zoom. I had the pleasure of working with the best attorneys and their team that went above and beyond. Paul Traina and John Shaller and Trevor Weitzenberg handled my case, and they were my backbone when I lost my husband in his tragic accident. Every conversation they took time out to explain every detail thoroughly and put my mind at ease throughout the whole process. Sometimes people go into professions for the money and don’t care about their clients’ feelings or needs but not Paul and his team. I never once felt like a dollar sign to them. I felt like they were genuinely there to help my son and me. I’m forever grateful for Paul Traina. He was straight forward and brutal honest when I needed it.

Marsha Rhodes | Google Review

Who Can File a Claim?

The parties eligible to file for wrongful death differ from state to state. In Nevada, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate, family members including a surviving spouse or domestic partner, and surviving children have the right to bring this type of claim. Surviving parents also have the right if no surviving spouse or children exist. Others may also qualify if they can prove their financial dependence on the deceased person.

Time Limit to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Las Vegas, NV

Claimants in Nevada have two years from the date of the victim’s death to file a wrongful death claim against the defendant. Missing this deadline generally means the court refusing to hear the case, which means that you will not be able to recover any losses.

Don’t wait until the end of your statute of limitations – and don’t settle with insurance companies before you contact an experienced Las Vegas wrongful death lawyer from Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP as soon as possible for legal advice.

Do I Need an Attorney to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Las Vegas?

Filing any lawsuit requires meticulous legal work, and there can be no graver or more urgent lawsuit than one for compensation for damages resulting from a wrongful death. Lawyers specializing in wrongful death lawsuits have a deep well of experience and knowledge of the types of wrongful death claims and the required legal procedures. When faced with the tragic loss of a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, our law firm can provide the support and representation needed during such a difficult time. From the expenses associated with the funeral and burial to the financial burden left behind, we strive to obtain a fair settlement that addresses your unique situation.

Our team will conduct a thorough investigation and gather crucial information to build a strong case on your behalf. Our goal is to secure the compensation you deserve, covering not only the immediate costs but also future financial support and loss of companionship. Recognizing the significance of providing closure, our compassionate team guides you through every step of the legal process. By hiring an attorney to navigate the complexities of the legal system to help you win the best possible award for your lawsuit, it leaves you time to deal with the emotional aspects of the loss, including the stages of grief, anger, and eventually rebuilding a life without your loved one.

What is a Wrongful Death Claim?

Nevada law defines “wrongful death” as a death that the “intentional, reckless, or negligent conduct of one party” causes. One way to look at a wrongful death claim is a personal injury claim the deceased could have brought if the accident hadn’t been fatal. The same elements and burdens of proof exist in both personal injury and wrongful death claims in Nevada. The laws regarding a wrongful death lawsuit, however, are different, which is why it’s important to speak with an attorney for assistance in these cases.

In a wrongful death lawsuit, surviving family members must prove that negligence on the defendant’s part is what led to an individual’s death. Nevada state law’s definition of negligence specifies that a defendant owed a specific duty to the person who sustained injury and that the defendant’s actions or failure to act were unreasonable responses, and that an injury resulted from the action or failure to act.

In wrongful death claims, Nevada law states that wrongful death occurs when a person’s death results from the wrongful act or neglect of another person or entity. In this case, the deceased person’s heirs and representatives can make a claim for damage compensation against the person responsible for the death.

Cases of wrongful death are civil lawsuits with the goal of obtaining financial compensation for any damages caused by the wrongful death. Claimants may file these civil lawsuits in addition to any criminal charges brought in the case.

Any heirs, such as a spouse, child, or parent, who are eligible to receive that person’s estate in the event of their death, regardless of whether or not the deceased person left a will, are eligible to bring a wrongful death case. In certain circumstances, unrelated individuals may also file claims if they can prove that they were dependent on the deceased person at the time of his or her death. This includes stepchildren, stepparents or unrelated children the deceased person supported for at least six months prior to death.

Proving Fault in Wrongful Death Accidents

Proving fault in a wrongful death case requires a skilled attorney like the wrongful death lawyers at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP. Showing wrongful death in Nevada requires a court finding these specific elements as true:

• That a person died (The decedent).
• That the death was caused by the wrongful, negligent, or reckless acts of another person or entity.
• That the plaintiff in the case is an heir or representative of the deceased person.
• That the heir or representative suffered monetary damages as a result of the death.

Because every case involves unique circumstances, an attorney must decide the best way to prove fault in a wrongful death case for a claimant. Some common forms of evidence used to prove wrongful death cases include:

• Surveillance footage or cell phone video coverage of the event,
• Medical records,
• Testimony from eyewitnesses to the event,
• Expert testimony reconstructing the accident or event,
• Any recorded or written communications by the defendant.

In a wrongful death civil lawsuit, the plaintiff has to prove only by a “preponderance of the evidence” that the defendant’s actions led to the victim’s death in order for the court to find the defendant liable. This is different than the higher standard in a criminal case where a jury must find the defendant guilty beyond all reasonable doubt.

Examples of Wrongful Death Claims in Nevada

Wrongful death claims in Nevada are an important way to see justice served as a civil remedy for wrongdoing. Examples of wrongful death claims include:

• Car accidents,
• Unsafe working conditions or hazards in the workplace,
• Medical malpractice,
• Criminal activities,
• Defective products,
• Safety lapses during supervised activities
• Exposure to dangerous substances

There are many well-known cases of wrongful death civil claims, including the OJ Simpson civil suit awarding the Brown and Goldman families 33.5 million dollars in 1997, the Nancy Grace case where she settled with the family of Melinda Duckett after Ms. Duckett committed suicide following aggressive questioning by Nancy Grace on her television program, and a case where the Ford Motor Company paid out compensation to the family of a woman killed by a minor rear-end collision in a Ford Pinto — a car model with a badly designed rear-places gas tank later recalled by Ford.

Common Wrongful Death Accidents

Any personal injury accident could result in wrongful death if the injuries are severe enough. Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death in America and the cause of 40.4 deaths per 100,000 people in Clark County, Nevada. A fatal accident can take place on the roadways, at work, in a hospital, or at a Las Vegas hotel and casino. The most common causes of wrongful death are car accidents, falls, pedestrian accidents, and accidental poisonings.

In 2021, 309 people died in auto accidents in Clark County. Forty-eight of these fatalities involved reckless drunk drivers. The same year, fatal workplace accidents took the lives of 43 workers throughout the state of Nevada.

At Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP, our wrongful death lawyers in Las Vegas view your case as more than just a number. We see the person behind the wrongful death claim. Our law firm excels at helping juries see the same thing. We know how to get the best possible results for your wrongful death suit, no matter the circumstances of the fatal incident.

Common Defendants in Wrongful Death Lawsuits

Any individual, company, or organization in Nevada can face a wrongful death lawsuit if they’re implicated in a person’s wrongful death. Common defendants in these cases include:

• Reckless drivers or drivers operating a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating substances,
• A doctor who committed medical malpractice by neglecting to provide appropriate care or administering substandard or inappropriate medical care to a patient,
• A person who intentionally killed someone (This also involved a separate criminal investigation),
• A hotel or other business that failed to monitor for carbon monoxide levels and the failure resulted in a death,
• A parent who allows a visiting child in their home access to a firearm that kills the child or someone else.

Potential Damages to Recover from a Wrongful Death Claim

A claimant can receive payment for economic damages such as the decedent’s medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and benefits. The plaintiff could also receive non-economic damages to cover for loss of the loved one’s care, affection, guidance, and companionship. In cases involving gross negligence or intent to harm, the courts may also award punitive damages. This means more compensation for the surviving loved ones with a payout that’s also meant as punishment for the person responsible for the wrongful death.

For example, the mass shooting during Mandalay Bay’s Harvest Festival here in Las Vegas resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people. MGM’s negligence directly contributed to the disaster, ending with the company made to pay out hundreds of millions of dollars in compensatory damages to surviving family members who filed wrongful death lawsuits.

Attorneys for a plaintiff, such as the attorneys at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP, meticulously investigate all relevant evidence to seek the highest amount in damages. This includes evidence like:

• Loss of a family’s wage earner with dependents left behind,
• Loss of the earner’s estimated future earnings based on the deceased individual’s age, state of health, life expectancy, and earning capacity,
• Loss of present and future parental guidance,
• Pain, suffering, grief, and emotional upheaval,
• Loss of companionship and comfort.

Attorneys may require the help of a reputable economist to calculate the loss of future potential earnings to determine damages.

Settling vs Going to Trial

Many defendants have insurance that covers some of the damages awarded in wrongful death lawsuits. This is especially true for medical malpractice cases, although Nevada law doesn’t require doctors to carry malpractice insurance, and there is no federal law requiring doctors to carry malpractice insurance.

Medical malpractice wrongful death lawsuits have certain unique elements such as a requirement for the plaintiff to prove that the victim’s death didn’t result from natural disease progression but instead occurred as the result of a doctor’s negligence or inappropriate treatment plan. Medical malpractice payouts are also subject to capping at specific amounts.

Out-of-court settlements allow greater flexibility and creativity in deciding on resolutions, however, grieving family members often desire a day in court to have their say, express their grief and gain closure.

Going to court has both benefits and risks. While juries often award far more money than a plaintiff would typically settle for, it’s also possible for juries to find a defendant not liable for the death. A court decision also leaves open the possibility for a defendant found liable to appeal the case, leaving it tied up in court proceedings for years.

Call The Las Vegas Wrongful Death Lawyers at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP

If you have recently lost a loved one caused by someone’s negligence, contact the legal team at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP for a free consultation to seek justice for the victim. Our Las Vegas wrongful death attorneys will take care of the legal process of your wrongful death claim while you focus on grieving and healing with your family.

Whether your loved one passed away in a car crash, medical negligence or workplace accident, we can help you explore your rights as a surviving family member or personal representative and take legal action. Initial case reviews are always free and confidential. Call (702) 560-5520 to schedule your wrongful death consultation in Las Vegas today.