Usually, the heirs are coping with their loss and do not consider hiring a lawyer to protect their rights.  That is a mistake, for the time immediately after the death may be the most important time to establish the strength of the case.  For example, the witnesses’ recollections will be strongly imprinted on their minds immediately after, photographs taken at the scene will be particularly powerful, and other physical evidence gathered at the time may be lost at a later date.

The laws governing the time in which a family can bring a wrongful death case vary.  These laws are called statutes of limitation.  If a case is not brought within that time period established by that state; it can never be brought.  In some states families only have one year from the date of death to bring their case.

The most common reason that my clients have given me for bringing a wrongful death case is because, “we want to prevent this from happening to anyone else”.  By showing the person who caused the death exactly what the consequences are for his or her actions, we can hopefully prevent a similar tragedy in the future.

You need an experienced trial attorney to help your family navigate the laws regarding wrongful death cases.  You need an experienced trial attorney to negotiate with the insurance company; and, if negotiation fails, a trial attorney who can communicate the magnitude of your loss to a jury.  I have tried wrongful death cases to juries in Arizona, Iowa, and in Minnesota and I have resolved many other wrongful death cases through settlement.

If you, a friend, or family member needs an experienced trial lawyer for a wrongful death or serious injury case, please contact me at my toll-free telephone number: 1 877 534-2271, or at me e-mail address: jdhaas@jdhaas.com.  I would love to help.