Wrongful Death Lawyer: Grieving families benefit greatly from the work of a wrongful death lawyer. To seek compensation for losses resulting from the death of your loved one, they can investigate the circumstances, determine liability, advise you of your legal rights, and possibly file a lawsuit on your behalf.
A wrongful death lawyer handles civil lawsuits for families who have lost a loved one due to the negligence or wrongful act of another party. In Florida, wrongful death is defined as “when a person’s death is caused by a wrongful act, negligence, default or breach of contract or warranty.” In such cases, the deceased person’s estate is entitled to file a civil lawsuit to recover compensation.
Often, wrongful death lawyers have experience handling personal injury cases as well as civil lawsuits. Your family can hold the responsible parties financially accountable for the losses you have suffered at Dolman Law Group with a wrongful death attorney from our firm. In order to discuss your legal options and the legal process in more detail, we offer free consultations.
What does a wrongful death lawyer do?
An investigation into the death of a loved one
A wrongful death case is often murky because people may give conflicting accounts of what happened, which may happen due to genuine confusion or misunderstandings. However, it can also occur when someone who is liable attempts to hide the truth or shift blame so they don’t have to take responsibility. To find out what happened, a wrongful death attorney can investigate.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 33,654 fatal motor vehicle accidents in 2018. If a member of your family has had the tragedy of passing away in an automobile crash, an attorney may be able to review relevant reports and statements from witnesses. Through their investigation, it may be possible to obtain video evidence from nearby surveillance cameras which could provide important information that the other driver was not following traffic laws or was being negligent leading up to or immediately after the incident. This could be extremely useful when developing a wrongful death case.
Approximately one in ten deaths result from medical errors, according to Johns Hopkins University. A lawyer can review medical records and enlist the help of experts to investigate whether your relative’s physician met the standard of care. This may reveal an inaccurate diagnosis, a contraindicated drug, allergy, or surgical mistake – all of which could form the basis of a claim for medical malpractice against the hospital where treatment was received.
Your legal rights can be explained by a lawyer
The laws concerning wrongful death suits differ from state to state, and this could affect your eligibility to file a claim. While some states may only permit immediate family to do so, others may extend it to distant relatives or even parties that are not related. Other locations may only allow representatives of the deceased’s estate to seek compensation; if any is obtained, it will be divided amongst those entitled.
Depending on where you live, the statute of limitations (the amount of time plaintiffs have to file a lawsuit) may differ as well. A wrongful death lawyer familiar with your state’s laws can explain what you need to know if the statute of limitations is tolled (extended) when you miss the deadline to file a lawsuit. You may lose your right to sue even if you have a legitimate claim.
It is possible for an attorney to seek financial compensation
It is possible for wrongful death lawyers to recover both economic and noneconomic damages. Your family member may have earned income if they had lived if they had received medical care before they died, funeral and burial expenses, and the loss of income that they would have earned.
It is more difficult to quantify noneconomic damages, such as:
- Before death, your loved one suffered pain and suffering
- A relative’s loss of love, support, companionship, and affection
- Wrongful death causes emotional anguish
Punitive damages can also be sought in some circumstances. Punitive damages punish a party for particularly egregious behavior and serve as a warning to others.
A lawyer with experience handling wrongful death cases can review all the relevant facts and determine a fair amount of compensation for your situation. An attorney can file a lawsuit and try to negotiate an out-of-court settlement. Settlements can resolve many civil cases, but sometimes they cannot. The lawyer may take the case to court and let the jury decide whether to compensate you and, if so, how much.
How much does a wrongful death lawyer make?
Each wrongful death case has a different settlement or verdict amount, but it can range from $500,000 to over $1,000,000. In order to understand how much wrongful death settlements cost, it’s essential to understand there is no average amount, since the financial compensation differs greatly depending on the circumstances and facts of each case.
Firstly, let’s talk about the typical ranges we see in wrongful death cases and what affects the payout. To maximize the value of your case and get the highest payout, you should consult an attorney rather than using online wrongful death calculators.
How to find a wrongful death lawyer?
It is important that your lawyer has experience in the area of law you need help with. Many lawyers claim they can handle wrongful death cases. The wrongful death law in Maine is complex and specific, so you must ensure that any lawyer you hire has handled wrongful death cases in Maine. A lawyer with experience in wrongful death cases will have a greater understanding of relevant laws, regulations, and procedures.
It is important to know that the attorney has experience with wrongful death cases, but also that their experience was meaningful, substantial, and ethical. Inquire about your prospective attorney’s experience in wrongful death cases and whether they’ve tried them in court. The Maine State Bar Association (MSBA) can also provide you with information about their ethical record.
- Use premier legal directories to find Maine’s top attorneys: By consulting reputable legal directories that contain exclusive lists of highly regarded attorneys, such as Super Lawyers, you can find a qualified wrongful death lawyer in Maine. Only the top 5% of attorneys are listed by Super Lawyers. On Super Lawyers, Mann Law’s attorneys are rated among the best. Using these exclusive directories, you can find a qualified wrongful death lawyer with experience, credentials, and a reputation in the legal community to handle your unique case.
- You Can Find the Right Lawyer Through Law Firm Websites: These websites can provide essential details about an attorney’s credentials, case results, and any recognition and awards they’ve received. Additionally, their websites often include client testimonials. Reading customer reviews and testimonials on a law firm’s website can give you an idea of the attorney’s dedication, efficacy, and competence. You can make a more informed decision by reading law firm websites.
- Peer reviews: Unlock their power: Platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, and Google allow clients to provide feedback about their experiences with their lawyer. When reviewing client reviews, keep an eye out for persistent themes such as an attorney’s communication methods, practice skills, and success in getting favorable settlements.
FAQ
- How much does a wrongful death lawyer make in Texas?
If we need to file a lawsuit, we would retain 40% of the award. If we are able to settle your claim before filing, our percentage is typically closer to 33%.
- A dallas personal injury lawyer and wrongful death lawyer?
The qualified Dallas wrongful death lawyers and personal injury lawyers at firms, LLP are ready to work with clients immediately. Call those office today to schedule your free consultation. They can learn more about your family member and the incident that led to their death at this meeting.
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