{"id":428,"date":"2023-06-01T07:47:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-01T07:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-660259-4820460.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=428"},"modified":"2024-09-04T07:50:09","modified_gmt":"2024-09-04T07:50:09","slug":"fight-wrongful-death-lawsuit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justinmintonlaw.com\/fight-wrongful-death-lawsuit\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Fight a Wrongful Death Lawsuit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
When a person dies because of someone else\u2019s negligence, the deceased\u2019s family members may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. How do you fight and win a wrongful death case?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This article will discuss who can file a wrongful death lawsuit, what evidence is needed to build a solid legal case, the types of damages you may be entitled to, and how hiring a lawyer can help<\/a> ensure your lawsuit is successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unintentional injuries or accidents are the fourth-leading cause of death<\/a> in the US. Many of these tragic fatalities result from someone else\u2019s negligent action or inaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil claim brought by the surviving loved ones of a deceased person whose death was caused by another party\u2019s negligence or intentional actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some common causes of wrongful death lawsuits are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The purpose of a wrongful death lawsuit is to hold the at-fault party liable for their actions and provide compensation to surviving family members for their loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each state has laws governing who can file a wrongful death claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on state laws and the circumstances of the wrongful death, one or more of the following parties may be able to file a claim:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are unsure whether you qualify to file a wrongful death lawsuit, a lawyer can help answer any questions that you may have. Justin Minton Law Firm offers free consultations for this reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most wrongful death suits result from some sort of negligent act. Proving negligence can be complicated and takes a lot of time and preparation. An experienced wrongful death attorney will likely have handled many wrongful death cases and knows what is needed to win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To recover compensation for wrongful death, you must prove the following elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first step in building a successful wrongful death claim is proving that the defendant owed the deceased person a duty of care. In other words, he or she was responsible for protecting the deceased party from harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider the following examples of duty of care:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next, you will need to show that the defendant breached the duty of care that was owed to the deceased person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As an example, if your family member was killed in a car accident because the driver was texting, you will need to provide cell phone records or other evidence proving the other driver was distracted at the time of the collision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When fighting a wrongful death lawsuit, you must also be able to prove that the defendant\u2019s negligence was the direct cause of your loved one\u2019s death. Causation might be easier to prove in some cases than others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If a truck driver collided with a pedestrian who died on the scene, it is evident that the accident caused the death. On the other hand, when a doctor fails to diagnose a patient with a life-threatening health condition and the patient dies, it might be more challenging to prove causation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The last element of a wrongful death claim is proving that the death of the victim resulted in damages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recoverable wrongful death damages may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, the party bringing the wrongful death claim may also be awarded punitive damages. These types of damages are designed to punish the defendant and discourage similar acts of wrongdoing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Winning a wrongful death case requires sufficient evidence proving fault and liability. You will need evidence to establish the cause of death, the extent of damages, and the defendant\u2019s liability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Evidence needed for wrongful death claims may include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n By law, you do not need a lawyer to file a wrongful death lawsuit. You can file the suit and complete the whole process yourself if you are entitled to by state law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, fighting a wrongful death lawsuit is a long and strenuous process. There are many intricate details to consider with each and every case. Unfortunately, without a lawyer assisting you, the entire burden of proof would fall on you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The time following the death of a loved one is already challenging, and you will likely add more stress to your life by trying to handle a wrongful death suit on your own. On the other hand, when you let a lawyer handle your lawsuit, he or she will work hard to ensure your case is successful while you spend time with your loved ones during this time of mourning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While it is true that you can file a wrongful death case on your own, your claim will have a greater chance of success with an experienced attorney on your side. After all, the job of a wrongful death lawyer is to fight for the loved ones of someone who has been killed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A wrongful death attorney represents family members and others who seek justice for a death caused by negligence. When you hire a wrongful death lawyer<\/a> to handle your claim, he or she can handle every aspect of your case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Experienced attorneys will begin by investigating the cause of your loved one\u2019s death. They will gather evidence and learn as much as possible about the events leading up to the time of the death. This may include visiting the accident scene, speaking to eyewitnesses, obtaining physical evidence, consulting with experts, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Knowing what caused the death is an essential step in knowing if you have a valid wrongful death claim and identifying all liable parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An important part of a wrongful death attorney\u2019s job is to help the family members of the deceased understand their legal rights. A lawyer will clearly explain what your rights are under the law and answer any questions you may have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An attorney will advocate for your best interests and do what he or she can to help you pursue justice and financial compensation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A wrongful death lawyer will be able to accurately calculate the value of the monetary damages owed to the surviving loved ones of the deceased. As mentioned previously, this can include money for medical bills incurred prior to death, funeral expenses, pain and suffering, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your attorney will make sure that all damages are accounted for so that you and your family receive the full amount of compensation you are entitled to receive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At Minton Law, we understand the financial strain that surviving family members may be facing. For this reason, we work hard to quickly negotiate a fair settlement for our clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The majority of wrongful death cases are settled out of court through negotiations with the insurance company or legal representatives of the liable party. Your personal injury lawyer will use his or her knowledge of the law and the evidence gathered to represent your best interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An experienced wrongful death lawyer<\/a> will be trial-ready. If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, your lawyer will fight for your rights in court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He or she will file all necessary documents, present evidence, argue the case, and work hard to obtain a favorable verdict on behalf of you and your family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The days, weeks, and months following the death of a loved one are stressful times for surviving family members. It can be difficult to think about anything more than planning the funeral and the day-to-day needs of your family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the thought of speaking to a personal injury lawyer<\/a> is likely the furthest thing from your mind during this time, it can be to your family\u2019s benefit to do so as soon as possible. The sooner you consult with an attorney, the faster he or she can begin building a solid case by gathering evidence before it is lost or destroyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another reason to quickly hire a lawyer is because there is a statute of limitations on wrongful death cases. Each state has its own deadlines, so it is important to find out how long you have to file so that you do not lose out on your right to compensation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your loved one was partially at fault for the accident that caused his or her death, you may be wondering whether you can still file a wrongful death lawsuit. You may still be able to sue, depending on the laws of the state where the wrongful death occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the deceased was found partly to blame, the value of the wrongful claim will usually decrease accordingly. This is based on the rule of comparative negligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The concept of comparative negligence allows blame to be shared and damages to be awarded based on an individual\u2019s share of fault. The judge or jury decides what percentage of blame to assign to each party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The monetary value of recoverable damages in a wrongful death lawsuit is reduced by an amount equal to the percentage of fault placed on the decedent. For example, if the deceased was found to be 30 percent to blame for the accident, then the family would only be able to recover 70 percent of the damages they otherwise would have been entitled to receive.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
What You Need to Prove When Fighting a Wrongful Death Lawsuit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Duty of care<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Breach of duty<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Causation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Damages<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Evidence Used in Wrongful Death Claims<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Do You Need a Lawyer to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How a Lawyer Can Help You With a Wrongful Death Lawsuit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Investigating your loved one\u2019s death<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Explaining your legal rights<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Calculating damages<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Negotiating a settlement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Litigating in court<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Quickly Should You Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Can You File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit If the Deceased Was Partially At Fault?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Is Comparative Negligence and How Is It Applied to Wrongful Death Claims?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n