The State of Minnesota recently enacted a series of groundbreaking reforms to its wrongful death laws. The Minnesota Survivorship Statute, included in the Omnibus Judiciary and Public Safety Bill, was signed into law on May 20th, 2023. This new statute aims to ease the financial and emotional burdens of those who have lost a loved one, making it easier for surviving family members to recover compensation for the full extent of their losses.
If you have lost someone you love to negligence, a skilled attorney will help you pursue justice. At Knutson + Casey, our attorneys are dedicated to helping you and your family hold all parties responsible for your loved one’s passing fully accountable for the harm they have caused. We understand the pain associated with your loss and will handle every detail of your claim while you grieve. When you retain one of our skilled attorneys, we will evaluate your case and determine how Minnesota’s new statute applies to you.
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Before the new wrongful death statute was passed, surviving family members were limited in what they could recover as compensation for their loved one. Compensation did not include the pain and suffering of the family member who died (decedent). And when a person was bringing a claim for personal injury and passed away before it could be settled or brought to trial, the claims of pain and suffering went away with their death. Claims of pain, emotional distress and suffering were not allowed for those who died, or their families.
As of May 20, 2023, the law changed to allow claims for the decedent’s pain and suffering. Now those filing wrongful death claims may also pursue damages for their loved one’s physical pain and emotional turmoil before their death. Before this new statute, the only non-economic damages surviving family members could pursue were for “pecuniary loss” caused by the death. Under the updated law, family members may also seek the following losses on behalf of their loved one:
This is not an exhaustive list, and our attorneys may be able to secure other intangible damages your loved one suffered. While financial compensation cannot undo such a painful loss, it can help ease the financial burdens caused by your loved one’s passing.
The new wrongful death statute went into effect on May 20th, 2023, and applies to all pending claims, even ones that began prior to the updated law, but were pending under the law. At Knutson + Casey, our attorneys understand the ins and outs of the law and how it may impact your claim. A few of the many ways we can support you and bolster your claim include the following:
Minnesota’s new wrongful death statute has made these claims more valuable than ever. One of our trusted attorneys can help you build a strong case and pursue damages for the full scope of the losses your family has endured.
At Knutson + Casey, our compassionate attorneys understand the devastation a wrongful death can cause and are here to support you during this challenging time. We understand your stress and want to take the burden of litigation off your shoulders as you focus on your family. We have a proven track record of success and will work tirelessly to secure the maximum compensation available on your loved one’s behalf.
To learn more about how our attorneys may be able to help, schedule a free consultation today by calling (507) 344-8888 or completing our contact form today.