How to Pick a Wrongful Death Lawyer: Everything You Need to Know

It may alarm you to learn that there are over 220,000 unintentional deaths each year. Although many of these occur purely by accident, it’s not uncommon for somebody else’s negligence to play a role.

It’s essential to find a reputable attorney to handle your wrongful death case. Not everybody understands how to pick a wrongful death lawyer, though.

Let’s explore key information you need to know.

Consider Their Specialization

Not all lawyers specialize in wrongful death cases, so be sure that you are selecting one that has experience specifically with this type of claim.

Talk to the lawyer and get a sense of how comfortable they are with wrongful death cases. They should have no issue discussing relevant laws and explaining their approach.

Understand the Fees

Most attorneys will provide an initial consultation for free, but they may charge you if you decide to move forward with them.

Some attorneys operate on a contingency basis, which means that you don’t have to pay them anything until they secure a settlement or verdict. Always research the fees beforehand so you can budget for them if necessary.

Keep in mind that some attorneys provide extra services for an additional cost. For instance, they may allow you to contact them outside of business hours. Stay aware of these rates so there aren’t any surprises when you receive the bill.

Analyze Their Experience

Look into the attorney’s past results and success rates when it comes to successful outcomes on similar cases as yours. Having an experienced wrongful death lawyer represent you will offer increased chances of getting maximum compensation. This applies to both economic and non-economic damages resulting from your loss.

Read Reviews

Reading online reviews will provide valuable insight into how other clients have benefited from working with them in past cases they have handled successfully. This can be an essential step in making an informed decision about who should represent you during such a difficult time in your life.

You can continue reading on alphaaccidentlawyers.com to learn more.

Trial Experience

Not all cases go to trial, but it’s important to have a wrongful death attorney who is comfortable in the courtroom and has a proven track record of success.

Your lawyer should have no trouble providing examples of cases that went to trial and how they successfully resolved them. In the event your case does go to litigation, you’ll be glad you have someone experienced at your side.

Causes of Wrongful Death

There are many different causes to be aware of when it comes to this type of case.

Each one will require a different legal strategy. Listed below are some of the most notable.

Car Accidents

These are some of the most common causes of wrongful death in the United States.

For example, someone may drive recklessly or fail to follow traffic signs. They might also drive under the influence. Regardless of the scenario, vehicle accidents can easily lead to fatalities.

This is especially true when the accident involves large vehicles. However, you should note that not all accidents are caused by someone else.

It’s possible for a victim to make a mistake or not take their own safety into account when driving.

Medical Malpractice

There are many different types of medical negligence that can lead to wrongful death.

These include misdiagnosis, failure to treat, surgical errors, etc. In order to have a successful case, you’ll need to prove that the medical professional breached their duty of care. You also need to prove that your loved one would not have died if the professional had acted properly.

This can be notably difficult to do without legal assistance.

Work Accidents

Work accidents can range from a slip-and-fall incident to defective machinery. Inadequate safety measures are also common. Employers may be liable for wrongful deaths if they failed to provide a safe working environment or appropriate safety training.

Depending on the situation, you may also be able to take legal action against third parties. These can include manufacturers and contractors.

Defective Products

It’s not uncommon for products to malfunction and cause serious injuries or death. Some examples include faulty car parts, pharmaceutical drugs, or children’s toys. In these cases, the manufacturer can be held liable for any accidents that their products may have caused.

However, this doesn’t apply if the individual was not using the product appropriately. To clarify, the product must have been designed and/or manufactured effectively.

Criminal Acts

Criminal acts can lead to fatalities and are grounds for wrongful death lawsuits.

This could include murder or assault. The perpetrator may be held financially liable if the victim’s family chooses to pursue a civil case against them in addition to the criminal charges.

Sometimes, the situation can be convoluted. For example, the perpetrator may not have enough assets to cover any damages.

Aviation Accidents

Similar to car accidents, aviation accidents can have devastating consequences.

These incidents may involve private aircraft, commercial airlines, drones, or other air-based vehicles. Aviation accidents are usually caused by negligence on behalf of the pilot and/or other personnel responsible for operating the aircraft.

Premises Liability

This term refers to any type of accident that takes place on someone else’s property.

It could include swimming pool drownings, dog bites, or slips and falls. The owners of the property may be held liable in these cases if they failed to provide a safe environment for visitors.

The issue with premises liability is that it can be hard to prove that the owner was aware of potential dangers and failed to take action. A common scenario might include a property owner failing to remove ice from their sidewalk after a winter storm.

Consequences of Wrongful Death

Wrongful death comes with serious consequences for everyone involved. Some could even cause long-term complications for friends and family members.

Let’s explore the most prominent difficulties you may face.

Loss of Income

If the deceased individual was the sole provider of the household, their family may suffer financially.

This is especially true if they were working full-time and had no life insurance policy. The family may need to find other sources of income or look for assistance from welfare programs.

Loss of income can have serious consequences, such as eviction, bankruptcy, and long-term financial difficulties.

Emotional Suffering

The emotional distress of losing a loved one can be devastating. Grieving relatives may struggle to process the trauma of their loss.

This can cause serious mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Emotional suffering can lead to a drastic decline in quality of life. To clarify, someone who becomes depressed or anxious may struggle to focus on the present and miss out on meaningful moments.

The remaining family members may need to find alternate sources of comfort. This can be difficult if they usually relied on the deceased individual for support. The sense of loss can cause a lasting ripple effect that affects all aspects of life.

Legal Costs

Wrongful death lawsuits often come with hefty legal fees. The family will need a competent lawyer to help them win their case and recover any damages they’re entitled to.

Unfortunately, these costs can add up quickly, making the process much more difficult. It’s important to consider the financial burden of a wrongful death lawsuit before taking legal action.

Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer

Hiring a wrongful death lawyer is not something you can overlook, but not everybody knows the benefits they can experience. These will go a long way when it comes to getting the results you desire.

Here are a few of the advantages that come with hiring an attorney for this type of case.

Navigate the Legal System

It’s no secret that the judicial system is difficult to navigate. A wrongful death lawyer will be able to guide you through the process, giving you the best chance of winning your case.

This involves researching relevant laws, filing the correct paperwork, and gathering evidence.

Maximize Compensation

By working with a lawyer, you can maximize the compensation you’re eligible for by taking into account any lost wages and medical bills that may have arisen due to the incident. They’ll also be able to calculate any punitive damages that could result from the case.

Keep this in mind moving forward.

Provide Emotional Support

A wrongful death lawyer will also be able to provide emotional support throughout the process. They’ll understand that this is a difficult time for everyone involved and will make sure to take your feelings into account during each step of the proceedings.

This can ease some of the stress associated with a wrongful death case. Talking to your lawyer can go a long way when it comes to coping with your loss.

Handle Negotiations

Negotiations are part of many legal proceedings. Your attorney can take on this responsibility, helping to make sure that the outcome is in your favor.

They’ll be able to negotiate with the other party’s lawyers and the court to get you a fair verdict. This can save you a great deal of time and money. In fact, you will likely spend much more money if you choose to forego hiring a lawyer.

Understand Your Situation

It can be difficult for many people to understand the gravity of their situation. A wrongful death lawyer will be able to explain the details of your case and help you make informed decisions about how to proceed. They can also answer any questions you might have and provide helpful advice.

Documentation

Your professional can help you with the necessary documentation. This includes filing the lawsuit, gathering evidence, and completing any paperwork required by the court. A reputable attorney will make sure that all of your rights are protected throughout the process.

Common forms of documentation include death certificates, medical records, police reports, and witness statements.

Gather Evidence

A wrongful death lawyer will be able to gather evidence that can help your case. This may include interviewing key witnesses, obtaining video footage from the scene of the incident, and any other information related to the case.

They’ll also be able to make sure that all evidence is properly preserved for use in court. They can also provide expert testimony to help make your case.

Overall Efficiency

When you work with a wrongful death lawyer, you can be sure that your case will be handled efficiently.

They’ll know the right steps to take and handle any legal hurdles quickly and effectively. So, you can trust them to provide you with the results you desire within a reasonable time. This will save you a notable amount of stress.

Peace of Mind

It can be incredibly stressful to handle a wrongful death case on your own, especially when you’re grieving the loss of a loved one. With an experienced lawyer by your side, you can rest assured that your case is in good hands. You’ll be able to focus on taking care of yourself and your family as they help guide you through the process.

Pick a Wrongful Death Lawyer

Dealing with a wrongful death case comes with many complications. The good news is that working with a professional can help manage them.

As long as you keep the above information in mind, you’ll know exactly how to pick a wrongful death lawyer. This will help you get the best results possible.

Looking for other useful information like this? Feel free to check out the rest of our blog.