Every year, thousands of people die due to accidental injuries that were not their fault. Accidents are the third leading cause of death in the US and many of them are preventable.
Contents
5 Tips for Finding the Right Attorney for a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
If your loved one has died due to the negligence or wrongful act of another person, you may want to consider filing a wrongful death lawsuit. This will help compensate for the financial and non-financial losses you will incur due to your loved one’s death. Read on to learn more about hiring the best wrongful death attorney for your case.
Look for Experience
It might be tempting to hire a general law firm, but you should look for one that focuses specifically on personal injury cases. This guide explains more of what you should expect with a personal injury lawyer.
An experienced attorney understands wrongful death laws, how to build a case, and what type of settlement would be fair. You should also look for an attorney with trial experience. In addition, look for a personal injury attorney who focuses on cases similar to yours.
If you cannot come to a settlement agreement with the insurance company, you may want to take the case to trial. That is not the time to find out that your attorney has no experience with litigating cases in court.
Do Your Research
Read up on any potential attorneys you are considered. Scour their website, read online reviews, and talk to past clients if possible. Asking for referrals and recommendations from family and friends is important but you should also do your own research to make sure they are well-respected, effective, and experienced.
Discuss Their Fee Structure
Wrongful death cases typically are contingency cases, meaning that attorneys don’t get paid unless you win your case. If you win, they will get a percentage of your settlement, usually about 1/3 of the settlement amount.
Knowing exactly how much you’ll owe and when is important, especially when it comes to case-related costs, such as requesting medical records, investigators, and other resources discussed below that are often necessary to build a case.
Learn About Additional Resources
Wrongful death suits can be complex cases and your attorney may need to bring in expert witnesses, medical specialists, accident reconstruction professionals, and others to build a strong case. Ask potential attorneys about the additional resources they have access to in order to work on your case.
It’s also important to understand who pays for these fees, whether that’s you or the attorney, and when the payment is due: either upfront or after the case concludes. Also clarify if you are still responsible for fees even if you lose the case.
Consider Their Communication Style
A wrongful death case could take a long time to litigate. You want a lawyer who is responsive and respectful, as you may be working with them for months or even longer. Meet with any lawyer you are considering and pay close attention to how they speak to you.
Are they supportive, listen to your concerns, and treat you with respect? Or are they dismissive and don’t give you the chance to speak? Consider if you want to have to communicate with this person for the duration of the case before you agree to work with them.
Consider a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Today
If your loved one has died as a result of someone’s negligence or wrongful act, you may want to consider filing a wrongful death lawsuit. Getting the compensation you need to support yourself and your family after that death is important and the best way to do this is to hire an experienced attorney.
Looking for more legal articles? We can help. Check out some of our other articles before you go.
