Over the Labor Day holiday weekend, an accident in Kane, Pennsylvania claimed the lives of six people—two of whom were children. Two motor vehicles were involved in the head-on collision. One was driven by Gary Beimel, and the other was driven by Kathy Douglas. All four people in the vehicle driven by Gary Beimel were killed. Two of the four individuals in the vehicle driven by Kathy Douglas were killed, including her daughter and her nephew. All of the six individuals that passed away as a result of the accident were pronounced dead at the scene. The road was closed while the local authorities attended to and cleared the scene of the accident, which took approximately seven hours. The authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the accident, which resulted when the SUV driven by Kathy Douglas crossed into oncoming traffic, directly in the path of the sedan driven by Gary Beimel.
The death of a child is a tragedy that is simply beyond compare. This accident is a grim reminder that, as innocent as they are, children can nevertheless be the victims of horrific circumstances. In situations similar to this, through the daze, fog, and sheer grief that the parents of a child who has been killed must wade, questions also naturally begin to surface. Questions including “Why me?” and “How can I go on?” are also often accompanied by questions such as “How did this happen?”, “Who is responsible?”, and “Is my family entitled to any compensation for our loss?”
Although it is not something a parent ever wants to focus on after the loss of a child, the answer is yes—your family may be entitled to compensation. During this time of loss, families are in a state of shock and can be very confused about what options they have. This article discusses some of the options in brief and general terms. If you live in Mississippi, have suffered the loss of a child, and have questions or would like to talk with an attorney about your options, Barrett Law PLLC is here to help answer your questions and guide you through your legal options. We can be reached at (601) 790-1505.
The death of a child can involve recovery several different types of damages. First and foremost, parents are entitled to damages resulting from medical and related expenses arising from hospitalization or other medical services provided to the child due to the accident. These are actual, out-of-pocket damages sustained due to the accident. Parents may also be entitled to damages stemming from their loss of companionship and loss of community with the child. These types of damages are often referred to as loss of consortium and loss of love and affection. Parents may also be able to recover the lost earning capacity of a child, depending on the family’s and child’s situation.
As in any type of lawsuit, retaining an attorney experienced in personal injury matters is important in ensuring that you recover the full damages to which you are entitled. It is also important to retain an attorney as quickly as feasible. Details and memories fade, evidence is lost or destroyed, and other events happen over the course of months and years that can make a lawsuit more difficult to prove. Do not delay hiring an attorney.
If your family has suffered the tragedy of the loss of a child, you do not need to struggle through this time alone. Let Barrett Law, PLLC help you through the legal aspects of your loss so that you and your family can focus on your healing. We can be reached at (601) 790-1505.
