Hiring a Lawyer: When Negligence or Malicious Action Results in a Death

Nobody wants to find themselves in a place where a family member or spouse has died because of negligence or malicious action, but often a lawyer needs to be retained for just that reason. With this type of emotional situation, it's important to hire an attorney with whom you can form a relationship of trust and confidence. It is difficult enough to lose a loved one. Having the right people help you to seek justice and compensation can make a big difference.

Finding the Right Professional Help

When you lose a loved one due to negligence or maliciousness on someone else's part and you want to sue for compensation, it's important to the have the right people on your side. Choosing a lawyer at random, especially during such an emotional time, is rarely ever a good idea. You want to make sure that you make an informed choice. Don't be afraid to ask for help from someone who is sympathetic but perhaps more objective than you are feeling at this time.

Consulting with One

Once you've made your choice of lawyer, the next step is the initial consultation. In a case of wrongful death, this consultation can be difficult. Your attorney will need to ask questions and discuss things with you that could be emotionally taxing, but it will be necessary.

First of all, the attorney will need to help you establish if you actually have a legitimate case. For example, if your loved one died during a surgical procedure, but the risks were clearly discussed beforehand and the surgeon was not negligent, there is no case for wrongful death. If your loved one died due to an employer's negligence in following safety rules, however, then a lawsuit is warranted. The attorney will advise you based on the facts.

Pursuing Civil Action

The actual pursuit of your wrongful death case can be emotionally and physically draining. It's important that during mediation or a trial that you trust your lawyer's advice and follow his or her lead.

It may not always be easy, but your attorney will know the legal system and the intricacies of this type of case, and will have the experience and the knowledge needed to do what's best for you. Try to be sure that you discuss fees before proceeding with the wrongful death suit. This can help avoid any surprises.

Obviously, the most important aspect of pursuing a wrongful death case is choosing a lawyer that you trust to do the best job for you. This can go a long way in easing what is already an emotionally difficult time.