Losing a loved one in a motor vehicle collision caused by another party’s negligence is devastating. Such a tragic event will turn the lives of the deceased person’s loved ones, upside down and can be more than enough to alter the lives of the bereaved forever. In order to alleviate some of the financial pressure that comes with losing a loved one, Alberta allows for certain members of the bereaved to recover damages by filing a wrongful death claim. The bereaved who are eligible to file such a claim are the parents, children, siblings, spouse, or adult independent partner of the deceased.
Alberta’s Fatal Accidents Act
According to Alberta’s Fatal Accidents Act, the claims which can be filed by the bereaved are the following:
• Reimbursement for medical and care expenses which have accumulated between the time of the accident and the time of death. This claim can be filed by the parents, children, siblings, spouse, or adult independent partner of the deceased.
• Recovery of accommodation and travel expenses which have accumulated through visits of the deceased loved one between the time of the accident and the time of death. This claim may also be filed by the parents, children, siblings, spouse, or adult independent partner of the deceased.
• Coverage of the funeral and disposal expenses, including required services. This claim may also be filed by the parents, children, siblings, spouse, or adult independent partner of the deceased.
• Reimbursement for grief counseling fees may also be claimed for by the parents, children, siblings, spouse, or adult independent partner of the deceased.
In order to successfully claim any of the above-mentioned expenses, the claimant must provide sufficient evidence. If the deceased was in a position in which a loved one was financially dependent upon them, then the dependent member of the bereaved may also be able to file a loss of dependency claim. By going over financial records, an injury lawyer in Sherwood Park will be able to accurately estimate the value of such a claim.They have years of experience in working on a variety of claims due to injuries and that expertise is for your benefit.
Filing A Bereavement Claim
In addition to the coverage of accident related expenses, the loved ones left behind may also be able to file a claim for bereavement in order to obtain monetary compensation for their loss of companionship, care, and guidance, and grief.
In regards to this claim, the Fatal Accidents Act states that any surviving spouse, independent partner, or the parents of the deceased will be awarded $82,000, with the parents dividing the sum equally, while each of the surviving children will be awarded $49,000, regardless of their age.