10 Things You Need to Know About Wrongful Death Claims

Needless to say, no amount of monetary reparation can ever replace the actual presence of someone you loved and cared for. However, when they are taken from us through no fault of their own, it is important to seek justice for them and for you. One way to do that is to file a wrongful death claim.

 

Wrongful death refers to the negligent or intentional act of a person which has led to another’s death. A wrongful death claim holds the person who caused the death responsible for their actions. The main goal of such claims is to provide a certain amount of relief or compensation to the family members who have suffered the loss.

 

Members of the immediate family of the deceased may file a wrongful death claim. In other words, those left behind by the deceased can file for the loss of support and companionship caused by their loved one's death. For example, a spouse can be given compensation for the love, companionship, and support that they lost through the wrongful death of their partner. A child can also be granted compensation in the amount of financial support they would have normally received from their lost parent while a minor. And although parents will not typically receive compensation for support, they may be able to recover for the loss of companionship.

There are various types of wrongful death cases but some of the car accident lawyers most common ones are car accidents, medical malpractice, workplace accidents, and defective products.

While new cars are much safer than the older ones due to increased security features (more airbags, rear-view mirrors, electronic stability control systems, etc.), the leading cause of wrongful death is still car accidents. In the U.S., just last year, over 38,000 people died because of motor vehicle accidents. In Colorado alone, at least 500 deaths were reported from car crashes.

Many of those accidents were in fact caused by the negligent action of at least one of the drivers. Some of these accidents include speeding, reckless driving, driving under influence, texting while driving, and even inattention.

Everyone's hope when going to the hospital is to go back home in better shape than when they arrived. Unfortunately, while not as common as auto accidents, medical malpractice is also a leading cause of wrongful death. Every day, doctors and nurses are given a great responsibility in the sense that they are in control of another human's life. But because they are also humans, many fatal mistakes can occur during their work.

By sometimes wanting to cut corners or deciding not to follow certain rules and best practices, cases of birth injury, wrongful diagnosis, or surgical or pharmaceutical errors have caused the death of many patients.

Product liability claims are among the most filed personal injury claims in the United States. Every year, numerous people suffer injury and sometimes death through the use of a company's defective product.

In Colorado, for example, product liability claims can only be filed based on either negligence or strict liability. And so one way to ensure the success of your claim is to hire one of the best personal injury lawyers in Denver.

While certain job industries such as construction or manual labor have a higher risk of accidents leading to death, any workplace can be the site of a wrongful death's occurrence.

Workplaces can be held liable for wrongful death if they contributed to an employee being put in a dangerous situation.

Now that we've taken a closer look at the definition and types of wrongful death lawsuits, let's talk about 4 ways to find the best lawyer for your case. Because every state has its own wrongful death statutes and regulations, the best way to find the most competent wrongful death lawyer is to look for one in your state.

 

Relevant experience and skill are two of the most important things to look for in a wrongful death lawyer. By contacting someone who is knowledgeable about the field, you will have more confidence in the success of your claim.

Additionally, their experience gives them more legitimacy and power in a courtroom. It also allows them to see every aspect of the case and thus cover all intricacies of your case. 

 

Whether it is by checking reviews or researching them and their law firm on the internet, it is necessary to take the time to look into the background of your lawyer. Look for someone with whom you can be comfortable and easily communicate. A lawyer's reputation is their overall image, beliefs and character that you can expect when you hire them for your case. 

The last thing you need is to hire a lawyer who lacks the soft skills, credibility and strong reputation needed to win your case.

One thing to avoid while searching for a wrongful death lawyer is to limit it to only one candidate. There are many skilled attorneys out there who are willing to help you. However, not all of them will be the right fit for you.

So take your time to look for 3 or 4 possible candidates then reach out to each one of them before making any final decisions.

Because most law firms offer free consultations. It is to your advantage to reach out to them in order to learn more about their experience, skills, and overall thoughts about your case.

When meeting with a wrongful death lawyer in Denver for example, make sure to ask them all about their relevant experience with cases similar to yours. You can also ask for their track records for verdicts and statements, as well as the percentage of cases for which they settled or went to trial.

By doing so, you will not only learn more about them, thus contributing to your research, but can also be given valuable advice on the best course of action for your claim.

If you or anyone you know has suffered from the loss of a parent, child, or spouse and you need someone to help you get justice and compensation, then we want to talk with you through this difficult time and answer questions. Please contact us for a free consultation call.