Sudden accidents causing death are one of the leading sources of wrongful death in the United States. According to the CDC, unintentional injury is the leading cause of death for Americans below the age of 44.
If you’ve lost a loved one, hiring a lawyer might be the last thing from your mind. If the cause of your grief is an incidence of wrongful death, getting proper representation is key, though. You deserve justice, and you deserve suitable compensation. Trying to go it alone through the legal system is inadvisable for the vast majority.
What should you look out for when you’re hiring a wrongful death lawyer, then?
The process of finding a reputable law firm can be challenging, especially when seemingly every one claims to the best. If you have no idea what you need in a wrongful death lawyer, bear the following pointers in mind when you’re looking for one:
- Relevant experience
- The right resources
- The right reputation
- Compassion and empathy
- Trial experience
- The bottom line
Relevant experience
You’ll want to find a law firm with a solid grounding in wrongful death cases, but also experience handling cases just like yours.
Consider a case involving medical malpractice on the one hand, and a drink driving incident involving a fatal collision on the other. Each of these cases is so different that you want a lawyer with the relevant experience. If you had a serious disease, you’d seek treatment from a specialist not a general doctor, right? It’s no different when you need an attorney.
According to the CDC, unintentional injury is the leading cause of death for Americans below the age of 44.
The right resources
When you hire a wrongful death attorney, you’re not just hiring the services of an individual. You’ll also get proxy access to a sprawling network of legal resources.
Try rustling up an accident reconstruction professional or an economist yourself and see how far you get. Even calling on expert witnesses is something beyond the means of the average person.
A wrongful death court case is an involved process. Do yourself a favour and hire the right lawyer.
The right reputation
It’s very simple to research any law firm you’re thinking of hiring. Look at user reviews to gauge how satisfied past clients have been. A handful of negative reviews are to be expected, but the tone should be overwhelmingly positive.
Beyond this, look for a well-established law firm with a strong reputation in the community. Any worthwhile company will have a documented track record showing how successful they have been, both generally and in cases like yours.
Compassion and empathy
With the above foundation in place, you need to factor in how vulnerable you’ll be feeling in the aftermath of losing a loved one unexpectedly.
You should think about how empathetic the lawyer seems at an initial meeting. If you encounter someone detached who seems only interested in the settlement without any concern for your feelings, there are plenty of other, more compassionate lawyers to choose from.
With the above foundation in place, you need to factor in how vulnerable you’ll be feeling in the aftermath of losing a loved one unexpectedly.
Trial experience
Although most wrongful death cases are settled out of court, there’s still a chance your case might go to trial. You need to make certain that any law firm you’re considering has the requisite litigation experience.
The bottom line
You should always establish how much the law firm charges and how fees are structured. Having said that, most wrongful death law firms work on contingency.
Reasons to Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer
Losing a near one due through the negligence of someone else's actions is acutely painful. Indeed, it’s this sense of injustice, of feeling cheated, that motivates many to engage a wrongful death lawyer.
What about some of the main reasons for people needing this kind of attorney? Here are a list reasons inspired by a wrongful death lawyer:
Victim of Negligence
Death by negligence occurs when, for example, a speeding bike collides with a pedestrian, resulting in wrongful death.
Whatever the unintentional cause, the careless actions of another mean you have the grounds for a wrongful death claim.
Victim of Homicide
Homicide is by definition a form of wrongful death in the United States.
If someone murdered one of your loved ones, it goes without saying that you need the best attorney you can find.
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Victim of Road Accident
Any vehicle accident involving a car, truck, bike, bus, or similar form of transportation leading to someone’s death is considered negligence.
With the complexities of this type of case involving the highway authorities, car manufacturers, insurers, and more, hiring the right wrongful death attorney will maximise your chances of getting the best settlement.
Victim of Medical Malpractices
Medical malpractice is perhaps the most devastating and unfair form of negligence. You place complete trust in a healthcare provider to do the right thing. When medical ethics are breached and wrongful death is involved, this calls for the right attorney in your corner.
Victim of Workplaces Accident
If your loved one had a workplace accident resulting in death due to any level of negligence, hiring a wrongful death lawyer is the first thing you should do.
In the US, worker safety is protected by law and, so you’ll need a good lawyer to help you achieve the compensation and justice you deserve.
Final Thoughts
Take your time before choosing a wrongful death lawyer. Ensure you allow enough time to pass that you’re not acting emotionally, but don’t leave it too long.
When you feel ready to engage the services of an attorney, take the above elements in mind as the foundation for your research. Ask friends and family if they know of any reputable lawyers. Do plenty of due diligence online.
As long as you don’t go hunting for a wrongful death attorney based purely on the bottom line, spending a little could gain you a lot more when the time comes.
