As you grieve the loss of your loved one, there are many financial, legal and sometimes business decisions that must be made. You had to plan the funeral, you may have made insurance claims, you may be in the process of changing names on various accounts, and you may be wondering if you should pursue a wrongful death settlement.
Will a wrongful death claim prolong this difficult period or will it help your family in the future? Before you can decide, it is important to understand what happens in the wrongful death settlement process and to speak with an experienced and compassionate wrongful death lawyer before your time to file a lawsuit expires.
What Is the Wrongful Death Settlement Process Like?
While each wrongful death case and settlement is unique, there are some common elements of the wrongful death settlement process that you should know about. For example, often:
- The first step in obtaining a settlement is contacting an experienced lawyer who can advise you of your rights, help you understand your potential recovery, and file a lawsuit…if you decide that a lawsuit is the right thing to do.
- After the lawsuit has been filed, your lawyer will investigate exactly what happened to your loved one and gather information from the defendants and others. This evidence will be important not only to any court action but also to the settlement process.
- At any time, your lawyer may engage in settlement negotiations with the defendants. You will of course be apprised of important developments and retain the right to approve or disapprove any settlement offer.
- Many of the details of obtaining a wrongful death settlement will be handled with your attorney, who is mindful of how difficult this situation is for you.
- If your loved one died because of the negligent or intentional actions of someone else then you have the right to pursue a settlement.
How to Get the Settlement You Deserve
IIn addition to gathering evidence and being represented by a wrongful death lawyer, it is important to be realistic in your settlement goals. You need to know what your case is worth, the risks of going to trial, and how a wrongful death lawsuit works, so that you can make an informed decision about any potential settlement.
Every case is different and we can’t tell you how long it will take to get a fair settlement, but we can tell you that we will work hard to get you and your loved ones the recovery that you deserve as quickly as possible. Please contact us today via this website or by phone to schedule a free consultation and to learn whether you should pursue a wrongful death settlement on behalf of your loved one’s estate.