Who may bring a Vermont wrongful death case?
Vermont law specifies certain surviving family members who are entitled to pursue a wrongful death case. If the decedent was married or in a civil union at the time of death, the surviving spouse or partner may bring a wrongful death claim or lawsuit. If the decedent had children, the children may also be entitled to bring a claim. If the victim was a young child, his or her parents are entitled to bring the wrongful death claim. Under certain circumstances, even if the victim was an adult, his or her parents may be entitled to bring a wrongful death action. Similarly, the brothers and sisters of an adult decedent may be entitled to bring a wrongful death action, particularly if the decedent had no surviving children or parents.
