The passing of a loved one is devastating in and of itself. However, when negligence was involved in the cause of the death, the situation becomes even more painful. Under the circumstances of wrongful death, the family of the deceased not only suffers emotionally, but also must cope with fiscal and financial hardships too, possibly debt, medical bills, missed wages – and the situation worsens if the decedent was the main wage earner of the family.
Wrongful death refers to a death that is caused by the recklessness or carelessness of another. If your loved one passed under these circumstances, then you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit on his or her behalf.
We have put together a guide on how to hire a wrongful death attorney to help you navigate this emotionally difficult and trying time.
While accidental or wrongful death takes an incredibly emotional toll on the family of the deceased, being able to win restitution for you and your family on behalf of your deceased loved one may provide some comfort and closure. People’s first thought during an event of this nature may be that perhaps they should try handling the lawsuit themselves without bringing in other legal parties. Isn’t handling a loved one’s passing and dealing with end of life arrangements complicated and costly enough? Why add on additional expenses and complexities by hiring an attorney?
However, hiring a wrongful death attorney can be extremely helpful in helping you cope through this traumatic time. There are a lot of things to take into consideration and while you are grieving, you may not realize that you need to research various statutory or federal laws, and it is very likely that probate claims will also be involved to ensure the decedent’s estate is properly divided amongst all legal heirs. It is also important to be aware of your state’s particular guidelines for wrongful death cases. Do yourself a favor and hire a wrongful death attorney, so he or she can deal with all the difficult minutia, while you allow yourself time to mourn your loved one.
First things first, you will need to know if your prospective attorney believes you have a case that can be successfully filed under a wrongful death lawsuit action and brought to settlement or litigation in court. You will want to sit down with your lawyer to discuss your situation in detail, to determine what could potentially help you or work against you. Ask what monetary settlement you may be able to win on behalf of your deceased loved one to get an idea if your case has sufficient merit to be taken on.
You will want to know the level of experience your attorney has specifically with wrongful death cases, and how many cases they have won. As this area of law is complex and demanding, it is in your best interest to make sure that your attorney has sufficient years under his or her belt dealing with cases of this nature. You want to be confident that your lawyer can negotiate a settlement on behalf of you and your deceased loved one or successfully fight for you and your family’s rights in court.
As wrongful death cases take a great deal of consideration and care, you will want to know that your lawyer has enough time to devote to you and your case. It would be smart to look at reviews of the prospective attorney to find out about others’ experiences with him or her, as you want to feel self-assured that the lawyer you choose will be right for you and will be able to successfully advocate on the behalf of you and your loved one. Finally, you will want to know if the attorney you consult with will be the main lawyer working on your case or if he or she will be partnering with other lawyers. The lawyer you consult with may not necessarily be the primary attorney working on your case.
With the largest and most comprehensive online directory for funeral homes, FuneralHomes.com is a trusted source for planning end of life arrangements. Easily connect with the best law firm in your area to take on your wrongful death lawsuit case and achieve the rightful restitution you and your family deserve on behalf of your loved one.
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