It is devastating to lose a family member due to wrongful death. A loved one’s wrongful death, whether due to negligence or malice, can leave a gaping hole in your heart.
Wrongful deaths are most often caused by:
- High-speed car accidents
- An unsafe work environment can cause fatal injuries or poisoning
- Poisonous or fatal products
- Death by deliberate mistreatment
What Is a Wrongful Death Lawyer?
When someone dies due to the intentional or unintentional acts of another person, a wrongful death attorney can guide surviving family members through a lawsuit against the responsible party. Read on to learn more about lawyers near you who specialize in wrongful death.
What Does a Wrongful Death Attorney Do?
Wrongful death lawyers can help you determine what caused your family member’s death, determine liability, explain your legal rights, and possibly file a lawsuit on your behalf to recover damages resulting from your relative’s death.
When to Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer
You and your family suffer losses and expenses when a wrongful death occurs. You need to handle funeral expenses and other matters. Losing your family member can also mean you lose income. Death also means a long-term loss of love, closeness, and companionship.
If sufficient life insurance was in place, the policy may cover much of the expenses. You may find, however, the insurance company denies your insurance claim on a technicality, or the responsible party for the death refuses to take responsibility or compensate for the loss.
Compensation may be difficult if the responsible party is a large corporation. Even if it is directly responsible for the death, it might seek to avoid legal liability, leaving your family without justice, closure, or compensation.
If you want to know what compensation is due and to hold the responsible party accountable, contact a personal injury lawyer immediately. Wrongful death law lawyers near you can advise you on the appropriate course of legal action for filing an insurance claim or wrongful death lawsuit, make sure that a settlement offer is reasonable after settling the lawsuit, and represent you in court if it becomes necessary.
How Do I Choose a Wrongful Death Attorney?
Today, wrongful deaths are among the leading causes of death. The CDC reported 173,040 unintentional deaths in 2020. When a loved one dies unexpectedly due to a wrongful act, you may have a double tragedy in dealing with an inexperienced wrongful death attorney. Hiring an experienced attorney is critical. Here are a few tips to help you find the best lawyer for your family and you.
1. Research the lawyer’s background
Searching for the best wrongful death lawyer near you requires adequate research. Grief can impair judgment if you’re having a hard time. Research the attorneys and their law firms in your area. Check if they are properly licensed and whether they have handled cases like yours. Select a wrongful death attorney if possible to ensure you have the best counsel for the job.
2. Ask questions
You should ask about the lawyer’s expertise before hiring. Focus on these areas:
- Number of wrongful death cases they handle each year
- Years of service in your area
- Verdicts and settlements
- Frequency of wrongful death cases they handle
3. Association membership
You should check an attorney’s standing before choosing one. Do they belong to a bar association? If you are considering an attorney, check the local bar association website. Otherwise, look elsewhere. Lawyers with leadership roles handle wrongful death cases best. Lawyers who are leaders have earned the respect of their peers.
What Does a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Cost?
Contingency fees are common for wrongful death attorneys. Your attorney does not get paid while they work on your case. Instead, your lawyer will receive payment only if they win your case.
Wrongful death attorney fees are not average. If your case is successful, your attorney will be paid a percentage of the damages recovered. A wrongful death attorney typically gets 33 to 40 percent of a settlement.
Many clients cannot afford massive upfront costs or monthly fees. Many potential clients refrain from filing a legal claim because they think they lack the funds.
Do not hesitate to contact an attorney for legal advice if you believe you have a wrongful death claim.
Do Wrongful Death Attorneys Usually Charge for Consultations?
In return for their services, wrongful death law attorneys near you charge fees. Attorneys have different fees, and the way they collect these fees depends on the type of case. There is no average fee.
Depending on how many hours an attorney spends working on your case, some lawyers require a deposit or retainer. Some attorneys take contingency fees.
You should discuss fees with your attorney when you are considering a possible case. You can get a better sense of what to expect with an honest discussion.
