The death of a spouse, a parent, or a child is a tragedy that never truly heals. But when that death was caused by someone else's carelessness—a drunk driver, a negligent doctor, or a dangerous workplace—the grief is compounded by anger.

Suddenly, you are facing a mortgage you can't pay alone. You are facing funeral bills you didn't plan for. You are wondering how you will send your kids to college without your partner's income.

At Freeman Childers, we cannot bring your loved one back. But we can ensure that the person or corporation responsible pays for the future they stole from you. We handle the legal burden—the investigation, the paperwork, the insurance calls—so you can focus on holding your family together.

What Is a "Wrongful Death" Claim?

In Kentucky and Tennessee, a Wrongful Death lawsuit is a civil action filed against the party who caused the death. It is separate from any criminal charges.

• The Goal: To recover the "value of the life" that was lost.

• The Beneficiaries: The money we win generally goes directly to the surviving spouse and children, bypassing the deceased person's debts in many cases.

Who Can File the Lawsuit? (The "Personal Representative")

You cannot simply walk into court as a family member. The law requires a specific process:

1. Open an Estate: We must go to Probate Court to have someone appointed as the "Administrator" or "Executor" of the estate.

2. File the Suit: This Administrator files the lawsuit on behalf of the family. We handle this for you. Unlike many firms that tell you to "go get an estate lawyer," we assist you with the Probate process to ensure the lawsuit is filed correctly and on time.

What Compensation Can We Recover?

No amount of money can replace a person. But the law allows us to recover damages for specific losses:

• Lost Earning Power: We hire economists to calculate every paycheck, bonus, and retirement contribution your loved one would have earned if they had lived a full life. This ensures your family maintains its standard of living.

• Funeral & Medical Expenses: Reimbursement for the burial costs and any hospital bills incurred before death.

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and mental anguish your loved one suffered between the injury and their death.

• Loss of Consortium: Compensation for the loss of love, companionship, and guidance. This is specifically for the surviving spouse and minor children who have lost a parent's mentorship.

• Punitive Damages: If the death was caused by gross negligence (like a drunk driver or a company that ignored safety regulations), we seek extra damages to punish them.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death

We investigate fatal accidents across all our practice areas:

• Fatal Car & Truck Wrecks: High-speed collisions on I-75 and US-25E.

• Medical Malpractice: Surgical errors or failure to diagnose a heart attack/stroke.

• Industrial Accidents: Crushing injuries in coal mines or manufacturing plants.

• Defective Products: Fatal malfunctions of machinery or auto parts.

The 1-Year Statute of Limitations (Urgent Warning)

In both Kentucky and Tennessee, the deadline to file a Wrongful Death lawsuit is strictly enforced: ONE YEAR from the date of death.

• The Trap: Families often wait because they are grieving. They think they have time.

• The Reality: If you wait 366 days, your claim is gone forever. The insurance company knows this and will try to "run out the clock" by delaying conversations with you. Do not wait. Call us immediately so we can file the necessary paperwork to preserve your rights.

We Are Here to Listen.

We know that this is one the hardest phone calls you will ever have to make. We will treat you with the respect and compassion you deserve. Call 606-528-1000 for a private consultation.