Few things, or perhaps even nothing, is as jarring as an untimely death. The shock is even worse when that incident occurs because of someone else’s negligence. That could be a slip-and-fall, a workplace injury, a car accident, and many other things.
During this time of loss, a legal claim for compensation is probably the last thing on your mind. No one can turn back the clock, but the money available will assuage the grief that you feel.
That’s the endgame. In the meantime, there are a number of very specific things that a lawyer for wrongful death can do for your family. Here are just a few of them.
Valuing the Case
A human life is priceless. But a judge only has the power to award money damages, so financial compensation is the only relief available. The potential lost future financial support is very difficult to calculate, and the value of lost emotional support is infinitely more difficult.
The valuation process starts with a conversation. Victims share their funny memories and their plans for the future to give attorneys a little more insight into the situation. Then, an attorney often partners with an accountant or other financial professional to generate raw numbers. Finally, an attorney takes a number of other things into consideration, such as the strength of the evidence on each side.
This process yields a case’s settlement value. Once your attorney has a value in mind, your lawyer fights hard for fair compensation.
Unusual Laws
In many states, the wrongful death laws are markedly different from negligence laws and procedures. For example, some states:
- Use a very short statute of limitat
- ions in these cases,Limit the amount of damages,
- and/orSpecify the parties that may bring legal claims.
The result is often a dense legal minefield. That’s especially true because ordinary negligence law often blends in with the wrongful death law. Only a highly experienced attorney can navigate this landscape.
Vicarious Liability
The tortfeasor (negligent actor) is often not the only party who is responsible for your loss. Third party liability is often present as well.
For example, large truck crashes kill thousands of people each year. Even if the tortfeasor was an independent contractor or owner-operator, the employer is probably partially responsible for money damages. Many times, this employer is a large, out-of-state conglomerate. This corporate monster often has almost unlimited resources with which to fight your claim.
The same thing applies in other cases as well, such as a nursing home injury or a defective product injury.
Solid Advice
An attorney considers all these factors, and more, when giving clients solid legal advice. If you feel adrift and do not know what to do, an attorney can point out the right way. Or, an attorney can give you the pros and cons of each option, so you can make the best possible choice.
Peace of Mind
All this adds up to peace of mind. Like the loss of your loved one, peace of mind is priceless. While you concentrate on the personal details and prepare yourself to emotionally move forward, your attorney works hard for you.
Talk to a lawyer today to start the process.
About Jammie Morey
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