The sudden loss of a loved one turns your world upside-down. Basic daily life becomes difficult under the crushing weight of grief. Learning that the loss was preventable can be even tougher. You may want to hold a negligent person or company accountable, but it can feel impossible to do when you’re already struggling.
Arkansas allows family members to file a wrongful death claim after a preventable accident. You may have a claim if you can show that someone caused death by their careless, reckless, or intentional actions. Your case can seek help with financial and personal losses.
Centerton wrongful death attorney Jason Hatfield knows: Every loss is personal. That’s why he’s committed to listening to those who have lost loved ones. Attorney Jason Hatfield can help you understand your options and take your case from start to finish.
Understanding Wrongful Death in Arkansas
Arkansas defines “wrongful death” as a death caused by someone else’s “wrongful act, neglect, or default.” In other words, a wrongful death is preventable. Someone’s failure to use due care caused a loss that didn’t have to happen.
Arkansas allows the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate to bring the case to court. The case seeks compensation for a surviving spouse, children, and/or parents.
One way to understand wrongful death is to compare it to a personal injury case. In a personal injury case, the injured person can file a lawsuit for medical costs, lost wages, and other losses. They’re hurt, but they’re still alive to bring their own case.
In a wrongful death, the injuries were too severe to survive. The injured person cannot bring their case to court anymore. Instead, their personal representative steps in. The wrongful death case holds the negligent party accountable. It also preserves valuable compensation for the family.
An experienced Centerton wrongful death attorney offers important help in this tough time. An attorney reviews records, witness statements, police reports, expert opinions, and medical documentation. A lawyer figures out what happened and who should be held accountable for the harm. With an attorney’s help, you can protect the family, honor your loved one, and bring negligent parties to justice.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Centerton and Throughout Arkansas
All wrongful death claims have one thing in common. They focus on how one party’s actions caused the death of another. The details are unique to each case, however.
While a wrongful death can occur in many ways, some methods are more common than others. Here are some of the most common causes of fatal injuries in Centerton and other Arkansas communities.
Motor Vehicle Collisions: Car accidents cause hundreds of deaths in Arkansas each year. As of March 21, 2026, 77 car accidents claimed lives in Arkansas. In 2025, 538 people died in Arkansas crashes. Benton County sees high rates of collisions due to recent population growth.
Commercial Trucking Crashes: Large trucks can cause serious accidents on Centerton highways and city streets. When a large truck crashes into a passenger car, the accident can be fatal to those in the smaller vehicle. Large truck crashes are more likely where freight traffic is heavy. Benton County sees significant large truck traffic.
Trucking crash cases need careful investigation. Accessing records can be challenging. Several insurance companies may be involved, all trying to pass responsibility to one another. Figuring out who caused a crash can be tough as well. Hidden defects in truck parts, improperly loaded freight, and other issues can trigger a collision.
Medical-Related Deaths: We go to doctors for help with our health. When medical providers violate the standard of care, “help” can turn deadly. Mistakes in diagnosis, treatment, surgery, and medication can all claim lives. These mistakes are preventable.
Medical science is complex. When a loved one dies in medical care, you may not know if negligence was involved. An attorney can help you review medical records, talk to experts, and understand what happened.
Workplace and Industrial Accidents: Every job poses some risk of injury. In some cases, those injuries claim lives. In 2024, Arkansas recorded 79 work-related deaths throughout the state.
Workers can die on the job if employers ignore safety regulations. Lack of training or safety equipment can lead to deaths as well. Third parties can also cause harm. Aggressive customers, hidden defects in tools, and car accidents can also cause workplace deaths.
Workers’ compensation provides benefits when an employee suffers a fatal work injury. Yet the family may have losses workers’ comp won’t cover. A wrongful death claim can help seek compensation.
Hazardous Property Conditions: Arkansas requires business property owners to keep the place safe for visitors. If a business can’t fix something right away, it has to warn visitors about the danger. Many hazardous property conditions can cause death. Falls are a common cause of death and injury, especially for older Arkansas residents. Exposure to electrical wiring and other dangerous conditions can cause harm as well. Construction sites, retail shops, rental properties, and public spaces can all pose risks.
When a dangerous property condition claims a life, it can be tough to tell what went wrong. An experienced attorney can help.
Important Deadlines in Centerton Wrongful Death Claims
Arkansas allows three years to file a wrongful death claim. This three-year period usually begins on the date of death.
Three years can seem like a long time. The sooner you speak to an attorney, however, the stronger your case will be. There are three benefits to reaching out early.
First, it’s easier to preserve evidence right after an accident. Over time, witnesses’ memories fade. The scene of the accident can change. Digital footage from dash cams or nearby security cameras may be deleted or overwritten. Finding essential records like police reports and medical records can get tougher. Investigations may drag without prompting from an attorney who represents your needs. The sooner your lawyer gets to work, the easier it will be to build a strong case.
Second, serious accidents put serious financial strain on Arkansas households. Bills pile up. Families can face hardship if the death reduced the household income. Acting quickly can help put your family back on track to financial security.
Third, three years goes quickly after the loss of a loved one. Grief has a way of changing our sense of time. Hours may feel like weeks, while months pass in minutes. Before you know it, three years may go by – and take your chance to pursue accountability with them.
What is My Wrongful Death Case Worth?
There is no way to put a price on a human life. A wrongful death case doesn’t try to sum up everything your loved one meant to the world. Instead, it focuses on two main categories of losses: economic and non-economic damages. A third category, punitive damages, may also appear in some cases.
Economic damages are financial losses. Your attorney can prove them with bills, receipts, and similar paperwork. Common economic losses in a wrongful death case include medical bills from the injury. You can seek compensation for lost wages and income your loved one would have earned as well. Compensation for damaged property, like a totaled car, may be available.
Non-economic damages are personal losses. They include both your loved one’s personal losses and your own. For example, a wrongful death case can cover any physical pain and suffering your loved one experienced before death. Your mental anguish and loss of companionship may be addressed as well.
Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages don’t usually have a number attached. Proving them can be challenging. An experienced attorney can help.
Punitive damages differ from economic and non-economic damages. Both economic and non-economic damages seek to compensate the family for losses. They try to restore the family to its financial footing.
Punitive damages aren’t about your losses. They’re about accountability. A court may order punitive damages if the death resulted from willful or malicious behavior. These damages send a message: Centerton families won’t tolerate these bad acts.
Courts require strong evidence to prove that punitive damages are appropriate. An attorney can help you figure out if your case supports punitive damages. If it does, your lawyer will help fight to hold bad actors accountable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who may file a wrongful death claim in Arkansas?
The personal representative of a deceased person’s estate files the wrongful death claim. The personal representative brings the case to benefit the deceased person’s spouse, children, and/or parents. Certain other family members may be included as well. An attorney can explain who will be affected by the case.
How long do we have to file a wrongful death claim?
Arkansas gives three years from the date of death to file the case. Acting quickly has benefits, however. It’s easier to preserve evidence and to ensure you meet deadlines.
Do wrongful death cases usually settle?
Many wrongful death cases are settled without a trial. Trial might be necessary if the case is complex, however. An attorney can help you understand where your case stands. Experienced lawyers prepare every case as if it might to go trial – while also working toward resolution.
Speak With an Experienced Centerton Wrongful Death Attorney Today
The sudden loss of a loved one devastates a family. What began as an ordinary day ends as a day you’ll never forget. It’s a day that forever changes your home, your family, and your life.
You’re facing a tough road ahead. But you don’t have to face it alone. Attorney Jason Hatfield has experience with wrongful death claims. At the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, we’re committed to managing our clients’ cases, so families can care for one another. To learn more, reach out to us today. Call (479) 361-3575 for a confidential consultation with a compassionate Centerton wrongful death lawyer.