Information Needed for Wrongful Death Claims in the United States

Wrongful Death Checklist

Documents Needed:

  1. Income tax returns filed in U.S. or another country for the past five years. If filed in the U.S., include city, state and federal returns.  Include all schedules and attachments.
  2. Estate tax returns filed in U.S. or elsewhere. Include all schedules and attachments.
  3. Copies of letters appointing a person to act as personal representative of the Estate. Include all petitions to any court and all documents related to the appointment, including any statement of assets included in such petition.
  4. All invoices, bills and other documents reflecting expenses incurred for the burial and funeral of the decedent.
  5. Death certificate
  6. All documents related to any worker’s compensation claim arising from death of decedent. If decedent filed for a worker’s compensation in the last five years, please provide this information.
  7. Birth certificates of decedent, spouse, children and any surviving relative who is claiming damages as the result of decedent’s death.
  8. Any medical records or doctor’s reports in your possession.
  9. Marriage certificate
  10. Any divorce decree or annulment terminating a marriage.
  11. Any salary statement from decedent’s employer.
  12. Any educational diplomas or transcripts of from any educational institution. Copies of any awards or honours received from an educational institution.
  13. Any work records, work evaluation or review statements from decedent’s employer.
  14. Autopsy report.
  15. Military records, including awards and discharge papers.
  16. Resume or curricula vitae.
  17. Any employment applications.
  18. Any employment contract or if decedent was a member of a union, a copy of the union book or union contract.
  19. Any documents that reflect expenses incurred on behalf of decedent which are attributable to the incident.
  20. Documents which reflect support by decedent to family members not living in same household, for example, copies of checks sent to adult children, parents, etc.
  21. Obituaries, letters of condolence, newspaper or magazine articles, funeral program.
  22. Copies of approximately 10 to 15 photographs which show decedent with family, friends, which depict decedent in good times. A copy of any videotape which is representative of the decedent. Send copies only.
  23. Any other documents which would help us understand the decedent and your loss.