No. Generally, most states that recognize a wrongful death cause of action limit the number of potential plaintiffs. Some states limit this group to the deceased's primary beneficiaries, defined as the surviving spouse and the deceased's children. Other states allow the parents of the deceased individual to bring a wrongful death claim. In addition to these individuals, some states recognize the rights of any dependent, whether closely related or not, to bring a wrongful death claim provided the person actually depended on the deceased for economic support.
Some states require any recovery gained in a wrongful death action to be divided amongst the deceased's heirs at law or to be distributed to the deceased's heirs at law as it would be in any normal probate proceeding. In these situations, distant relatives may receive some "trickle down" of damages, even though they were not financially dependent upon the deceased during his life. In addition, if more than one plaintiff is entitled to recover, all plaintiffs will share in the award. The manner in which the award is divided can be confusing and will depend upon the laws in the particular jurisdiction where the matter is brought.
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Law Offices of Shane L. Harward PLC
Phoenix Personal Injury Attorney
Arizona Wrongful Death
Lawyer
10575 North 114th Street, Suite 103
Scottsdale, Arizona 85259
Phone: 480-874-2918
Facsimile: 480-588-5063
Email
10575 North 114th Street
Suite 103
Scottsdale, Arizona 85259
Telephone 480-874-2918
Facsimile 480-588-5063
By Appointment Only:
4809 East Thistle Landing Drive
Suite 100
Phoenix, Arizona 85044
Telephone 602-384-4638
Mailing Address:
Post Office Box 12877
Scottsdale, Arizona 85267
Email
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