A wrongful death claim is generally filed by a spouse of the person that died, or by a surviving family member. Due to the severity of these claims, they often do not settle fairly without a lawsuit. There are several factors that determine the value and viability of a wrongful death case. Who was at fault?  What happened? What, exactly, caused the death? These facts may not be obvious and require careful and extensive investigation.

Once a case can be substantiated, the court typically looks at the “life value” of the person.  We know this may seem harsh, but if a person died in their 30s, the surviving family has lost future potential income and support from the deceased for decades. The court tends to award lesser settlements for the deaths of elderly and unemployed persons. All medical bills, funeral costs, and related expense are generally also included. A claim can also be made for pain and suffering of the surviving family members, especially children and spouses.

Sometimes people envision dramatic Hollywood courtroom scenes and are hesitant to move forward with a lawsuit. They worry about being “put on trial,” being intimidated by a judge, and being asked a lot of abusive questions. Most of the time, however, it is just the opposite! Our attorneys understand the trauma from a wrongful death and try to resolve your case as fairly as possible. They know that the surviving family wants closure and that part of this closure is achieving justice for the decedent. 

A common worry among potential clients is that they will be responsible for steep legal bills that are incurred during the case. The good news is that these bills are only paid out of the settlement or award. If no settlement or award is obtained, you will not responsible for the costs incurred.

Sometimes, people are hesitant to hire an attorney to protect their rights. It is important to understand that when something happens to a loved one, and it was someone else’s fault at any level, you need an attorney. Wrongful death cases are major and complex, requiring expert attorneys such as those at Willford Law Corporation. Contact us for a free consultation today.