Taylorsville Wrongful Death Lawyer

A sudden death leaves a family grieving and, soon after, facing questions no one prepares for: what exactly happened, who was responsible, and how the household will manage. For Taylorsville families, those questions are answered under Utah's wrongful death statutes and, if a lawsuit becomes necessary, in Salt Lake County's Third District Court, which holds court at the Matheson Courthouse in Salt Lake City and in West Jordan.

No claim can undo the loss. What it can do is establish the facts, hold the responsible party accountable, and give the family financial footing while you grieve.

When Someone Else Is Legally Responsible

Under Utah Code § 78B-3-106, when a death is caused by another person's wrongful act or neglect, the family can bring an action for damages against that person, or against an employer responsible for that person's conduct. In Taylorsville that is most often a crash on I-215, Bangerter Highway, Redwood Road or 4700 South, or a pedestrian struck on a wide arterial, but it can also be a dangerous property or a commercial truck.

The civil claim stands apart from any criminal prosecution. A criminal case punishes the wrongdoer; a wrongful death claim compensates the family, and it uses a lower burden of proof.

Who May Bring the Case

The claim belongs to the heirs, and it may be brought by them or by a personal representative for their benefit. Utah Code § 78B-3-105 lists the heirs as the surviving spouse, children, natural or adoptive parents, and stepchildren under 18 who were supported by or lived with the decedent, with other blood relatives qualifying only when none of the first three groups survive. Our wrongful death guide covers the details.

A Two-Year Filing Deadline

Utah Code § 78B-2-304 generally gives a family two years to file a wrongful death action, half the four years most injury claims get. If UDOT, UTA, Salt Lake County, Taylorsville City or another public body may share responsibility, a written notice of claim is due within one year under § 63G-7-402. Our statute of limitations page lists the exceptions.

What a Family May Recover

Depending on the circumstances, a claim can include:

• The financial support, household services and benefits your loved one would have provided.
• Medical bills from the final injury, and funeral and burial costs.
• The loss of companionship, care, counsel and guidance, including what children lose without a parent.
• The grief and sorrow the family lives with.
• Punitive damages, in rare cases involving knowing and reckless conduct such as impaired driving.

Nothing replaces the person. A recovery can ease the financial strain so the family has room to grieve.

Wrongful Death Cases From Taylorsville

We handle claims from freeway crashes on I-215, high-speed collisions on Bangerter Highway, pedestrian deaths on Redwood Road and 4700 South, motorcycle crashes at turning intersections, crashes involving UTA buses, and deaths caused by unsafe property. For the broader range of injury claims we take in the city, see our Taylorsville personal injury page.

How We Help Taylorsville Families

We request the report from the agency that responded, usually the Taylorsville Police Department on city streets or the Utah Highway Patrol on I-215, preserve evidence before it disappears, find every insurance policy that may apply, deal with the insurers, and keep the family informed. If a vehicle was involved, our Taylorsville car accident page explains the local crash process, and the steps in a Utah injury case show what to expect.