Lawsuit for death in the family; any advice?

[usmcmotort]

Hello all,


My aunt died in Canada last October (may she Rest in Peace) due to a negligent driver (hit her). It was tough on the family and now we are working on a settlement. FYI we live in America and we had to fly up to Ottawa in order to take care of all her personal effects and such.


This the first time we had to deal with something like this and our lawyer wants to keep it out of court and is only sueing for (or whatever the term would be) for $135K (canadian dollars).

A background on my aunt; prior to moving to Canada she worked for the Philippine government as a congresswoman. She has several degrees and was wealthy; she moved to Canada to make more money in order to support our large family back home. All of my aunt's assets went to one (which there are several cousins) of my cousins. Between stocks and real estate it was worth up to $300K (american dollars).


The Philippines is a 3rd world country and many that move to North America work hard here to provide for them back home; even my parents and my own family helps provide for them.

Well in any case is $135K to low for someone's life? The person who killed my aunt was totally at fault (disregarding a stopsign and wasn't even supposed to be driving). The money would be divided among 6 siblings in the Philippines and also cover expenses paid to fly my family from the US to the Philippines to cover all the funeral arrangements.


I'm thinking that $135K is so it'll be out of court and quick for the lawyer rather than fighting for more compensation. I really don't know much about it and would like to get some opinions before going back to the lawyer to debate if it should be more or if $135K is what we'll settle for.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks much!

[bumpus7]

Originally Posted by usmcmotort

Hello all,


My aunt died in Canada last October (may she Rest in Peace) due to a negligent driver (hit her). It was tough on the family and now we are working on a settlement. FYI we live in America and we had to fly up to Ottawa in order to take care of all her personal effects and such.


This the first time we had to deal with something like this and our lawyer wants to keep it out of court and is only sueing for (or whatever the term would be) for $135K (canadian dollars).

A background on my aunt; prior to moving to Canada she worked for the Philippine government as a congresswoman. She has several degrees and was wealthy; she moved to Canada to make more money in order to support our large family back home. All of my aunt's assets went to one (which there are several cousins) of my cousins. Between stocks and real estate it was worth up to $300K (american dollars).


The Philippines is a 3rd world country and many that move to North America work hard here to provide for them back home; even my parents and my own family helps provide for them.

Well in any case is $135K to low for someone's life? The person who killed my aunt was totally at fault (disregarding a stopsign and wasn't even supposed to be driving). The money would be divided among 6 siblings in the Philippines and also cover expenses paid to fly my family from the US to the Philippines to cover all the funeral arrangements.


I'm thinking that $135K is so it'll be out of court and quick for the lawyer rather than fighting for more compensation. I really don't know much about it and would like to get some opinions before going back to the lawyer to debate if it should be more or if $135K is what we'll settle for.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks much!

You better check with a lawyer who knows Canadian laws.
She is an aunt and not directly in you family.
.

[Sam I Am]

I'm so sorry for your loss, usmcmotart; however, the Grief forum of City-Data is not a legal advice area, nor is there a legal area on City-Data.

Your best bet is, as the poster above has said, to contact an attorney familiar with Canadian law.

Wishing you the best. Thread is closed.

Sam I Am
Moderator, Grief