It can be devastating when a loved one dies due to someone else’s negligence. Wrongful death claims can involve many issues, including medical malpractice, car accidents, and intentional acts like murder. When you’re looking for a wrongful death attorney, it’s essential to find one who has extensive experience and will be able to represent your case effectively.
Experience
Wrongful death cases can be exceptionally complex and emotionally charged. Hiring a firm, for instance, Wilk Law, LLC, with extensive experience in these cases can help your family understand their legal rights and seek justice for the victim’s loved ones. A wrongful death attorney will first investigate the cause of your loved one’s accident. They will find out everything they can about what happened and why. This can include any medical or work-related incidents contributing to the fatality. While a wrongful death lawsuit cannot bring back your loved one, it can compensate your family for the financial and emotional damages sustained due to their loss. Survivors can recover damages for their loss of companionship, income, medical expenses, and other damages. Survivors may also receive punitive damages in some instances. Wrongful death laws vary from state to state. Some limit who can sue, while others allow distant relatives and nonrelatives in some circumstances.
Reputation
While a wrongful death lawsuit can never make up for losing a loved one, it can help bring accountability to those responsible. A skilled wrongful death lawyer can gather evidence, investigate the case, and build a strong argument in court. A wrongful death claim can involve both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include funeral and burial costs, lost income, and loss of household services. Non-economic damages include pain, suffering, anxiety, depression, and other emotional harm.
In some cases, punitive damages can also be awarded to punish a negligent party for particularly egregious behavior. It is essential to find a wrongful death attorney with a good reputation. The attorney should demonstrate their expertise and experience handling wrongful death cases during an initial consultation. The attorney should be able to answer all your questions clearly and concisely. It is also a good idea to read client reviews and testimonials, as this can give you an insight into the lawyer’s effectiveness.
Fees
Wrongful death cases can be costly. Although no amount of money can return a loved one to you, it can help pay for the extra expenses associated with their loss. Unlike divorce attorneys, family law lawyers, and criminal defense lawyers, most wrongful death attorneys work on a contingency basis. This means they will not charge you by the hour but take a percentage of the compensation awarded. The amount that your attorney takes will depend on the complexity of your case, how much risk they assume, and how many hours they expect to spend on it.
In some cases, an attorney can negotiate the fee they are charged. In addition to the attorney’s fee, other litigation fees will need to be paid, such as photocopying documents, enlarging and printing photographs for use in court, and filing costs. These additional fees should be discussed with your lawyer before hiring them to represent you in your wrongful death claim.
Communication
It would be best to gauge an attorney’s communication ability during initial consultations. They should explain complex legal matters in a way that you can understand and keep you updated on the status of your case. They should also be accessible when you need them. Smaller firms are often more approachable and personal than larger ones. Wrongful death attorneys can help their clients seek compensation for funeral and medical expenses, lost income, loss of companionship, and other damages. While no money can bring back a deceased loved one, it can ease the financial burden and provide for family members in the future. A wrongful death lawsuit can be resolved through a settlement agreement, but the case must go to trial if a successful settlement cannot be reached.
