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Wrongful Death Claims
Compassionate Legal Support After the Loss of a Loved One
Onx Law represents families who have lost someone because of another person’s negligence or wrongful conduct.
(01) — Overview
Onx Law represents families who have lost someone because of another person’s negligence or wrongful conduct.
A preventable loss can leave a family facing grief, financial uncertainty, and unanswered questions.
We investigate what happened, identify who may be responsible, and pursue compensation for the financial and personal consequences of the loss — with the strategy, legal team, and resources the case needs, and at your family’s pace.
(02) — What makes it different
What Makes Wrongful Death Cases Different
A wrongful death claim involves more than determining who caused the incident. Families may also need to understand who is legally allowed to bring the claim, what losses may be recoverable, and whether a related claim on behalf of the estate is available.
These cases arise from many kinds of preventable incidents — on the road, at work, or on unsafe property — and each one calls for a careful investigation of what happened and which laws apply.
Common causes
- 01Car Accidents
- 02Truck Accidents
- 03Pedestrian Accidents
- 04Construction Accidents
- 05Defective Products
- 06Unsafe Property Conditions
- 07Negligent Security
- 08Animal Attacks
- 09Falls
(03) — Evidence that matters
Understanding What Happened
The investigation often begins with official records — police and crash reports, the medical examiner’s findings, and medical records — and with evidence that may not last, such as video and vehicle data.
Families don’t have to gather this on their own. An attorney can request records and ask the parties involved to preserve evidence.
Records that may matter:
- Police, crash, or incident reports
- The death certificate and medical examiner’s report
- Medical records and bills
- Photos and video of the scene
- Names and contact details of witnesses
- Records of income and financial support
- Funeral and burial expenses
(04) — Who may be responsible
Who may be responsible for a preventable loss.
More than one person or company may have contributed to a death.
- 01
A negligent driver
A driver who was distracted, impaired, speeding, or careless may be responsible for a fatal crash.
- 02
An employer
A company may be responsible for its employees’ conduct at work, and for unsafe work practices.
- 03
A property owner or business
Unsafe conditions or inadequate security on a property may contribute to a death.
- 04
A manufacturer
A defective product, vehicle, or part may point to the company that made it.
- 05
A contractor
A maintenance or repair contractor may be responsible for unsafe work.
- 06
A government agency
Claims involving public roads or property usually have short notice deadlines.
(05) — What compensation may include
What a Wrongful Death Claim May Cover
What a family may recover — and who may recover it — differs from state to state. Depending on the facts and the state’s law, compensation may include:
- Medical and funeral expenses
- Lost financial support and services
- Lost benefits, such as health insurance or a pension
- Loss of companionship, care, and guidance, where the state allows it
- The pain and suffering of the person who died, through a related claim, where allowed
New York limits wrongful death damages to pecuniary losses plus medical and funeral expenses, and Maryland caps noneconomic damages. No particular result can be promised.
(06) — What to do next
What Should You Do After Losing a Loved One?
Preserve Information
Keep accident reports, medical records, photographs, messages, insurance correspondence, and other documents connected to the incident.
Identify Responsible Parties
Depending on what happened, responsibility may involve a driver, employer, business, property owner, manufacturer, contractor, or another party.
Document Financial Impact
Keep records of funeral expenses, lost income, household contributions, and other financial losses connected to the death.
Talk to an Attorney
An attorney can help explain who may be eligible to bring a claim, preserve evidence, investigate the incident, and evaluate the legal options available to your family.
(07) — State-specific considerations
Deadlines and rules differ by state.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, exceptions apply, and how a rule affects you depends on the facts of your case.
Florida
FL
A wrongful death lawsuit is brought by the personal representative of the estate on behalf of the family, and generally must be filed within 2 years of the death.
Source: Fla. Stat. § 95.11(5)(e)Maryland
MD
A wrongful death lawsuit generally must be filed within 3 years of the death, usually for the benefit of the spouse, parents, and children. Maryland’s cap on noneconomic damages also applies.
Source: Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 3-904Washington, D.C.
DC
A wrongful death lawsuit generally must be filed by the personal representative of the estate within 2 years of the death.
Source: D.C. Code § 16-2702New York
NY
A wrongful death lawsuit generally must be filed within 2 years. Damages are limited to “pecuniary injuries,” such as lost financial support, plus medical and funeral expenses; a bill to expand them was vetoed in December 2025.
Source: N.Y. EPTL 5-4.3
(08) — The Onx approach
Your Family Deserves Support
Every case is evaluated individually. Depending on what yours needs, Onx Law may handle the matter directly, work with co-counsel, or connect you with trusted counsel when doing so better serves your case.
01/ 05
- 01
Listen
Tell us what happened, in your own words — online or by phone, in English or Spanish. Every case starts with understanding the people involved.
- 02
Evaluate
An attorney reviews the facts, the injuries, the insurance, and the law that applies, to determine what your case actually needs.
- 03
Build the Right Team
We put the right legal team and resources around your case. Onx may handle it directly, work with co-counsel, or connect you with carefully vetted counsel whose location, experience, or resources better serve it.
- 04
Move the Case Forward
Disciplined case management, data, and technology keep the work organized and moving, while legal judgment sets the strategy — and you’re kept informed along the way.
- 05
Pursue the Outcome
We pursue the resolution your case supports — through negotiation or, when it’s needed, in court — so you can focus on your recovery.
(09) — Questions
Frequently asked questions.
General information only, not legal advice. Every situation is different, so the best answer starts with a conversation.
Ask us directlyIt depends on the state. In many places the claim is brought by the personal representative of the person’s estate on behalf of surviving family members, such as a spouse, children or parents. We can explain how the rules work where the death occurred.
Depending on state law, a claim may include funeral and medical expenses, the income and support the person would have provided, and the loss of their care, companionship and guidance.
Wrongful death deadlines are set by each state and are often two or three years — sometimes shorter when a government entity is involved. Because evidence and deadlines don’t wait, it helps to talk with an attorney early.
No. A wrongful death claim is a separate civil case brought by the family. It can move forward whether or not criminal charges are filed, and it focuses on compensation rather than punishment.
(10) — More practice areas
Other ways we can help.
- 01Car AccidentsRear-End Collisions · Intersection Accidents · Uninsured Drivers · Distracted Driving · Impaired Driving
- 02Truck Accidents18-Wheeler Crashes · Delivery Trucks · Driver Fatigue · Unsafe Loads · Poor Maintenance
- 03Premises LiabilitySwimming Pools · Falling Objects · Elevators & Escalators · Fires · Toxic Exposure
(11) — Next step
You focus on your family. We’ll help with the rest.
No legal claim can undo the loss of someone you love. But careful investigation and informed legal guidance may help your family pursue accountability and protect its future.