Wrongful Death Attorney and Why You May Want One

If a loved one has been killed due to what you believe is another party's negligence or malicious intent, you may need to hire a wrongful death attorney. Though criminal charges may apply, those charges won't help you recover any financial damages you may be entitled to. Furthermore, an acquittal or absence of criminal charges has little bearing on whether or not the party is truly liable for the death of your loved one. Civil cases require far less burden on the part of the plaintiff. Still, you may be wondering what a lawyer can do for you. Here are some of the benefits of setting up a consultation.

Clear Viewpoint

This is what you most need in a situation such as this. You've probably already been contacted by opposing lawyers if you're dealing with an insurance company or a large company. They have undoubtedly suggested (in a tactful way) that the incident was beyond their scope of negligence. On the flip side of the coin, you are in mourning and may be blinded by rage and emotion. You need someone who is both on your side and able to look at the situation from a clear point of view to tell you whether or not you have a case.

Experience

A wrongful death attorney will (hopefully) have a lot of experience with cases just like yours. Whereas you may have no idea how to put together a case or where to look for witnesses and relevant information, a good lawyer will know exactly how to proceed. They will know where to look, how to gather evidence and information, and whom to question to get to the bottom of the case. He will know how to use the court system to force people to talk to him even when they don't want to get involved.

Advice

Maybe you aren't sure whether or not you want to move forward with negotiations or litigation. Again, this is a great time to seek out advice from a wrongful death attorney. As long as you pick someone with a good reputation, they aren't going to try and pressure you into doing something you don't feel comfortable with. They will listen to your story and make a determination about whether or not you should move forward. You can then use that information for your own purposes.

Settlements

What many people don't realize is that many of these cases never go to court. Often just the threat of bringing a lawsuit is enough to convince the opposing party to come up with a fair and reasonable settlement. If you want more than is being offered, bringing a wrongful death attorney into the equation is a good way to get it.