Wrongful death lawsuits are always a sticky situation. Whether you’re being sued for wrongful death with a baseless claim or you’re on the opposite end of having experienced a loved one’s passing and want to hold the responsible parties accountable, wrongful death attorneys can help you navigate this complicated legal process.
The market for wrongful death attorneys, however, is a crowded one. How do you know which one to choose to represent your case?
In this article, we’ll help you answer that very question by providing you with seven key factors that you need to consider as you choose the right attorney for your legal situation.
1. Legal Specialization
The first thing to keep in mind is legal specialization. If you’re a business trying to prove your innocence in a wrongful death case, you want an attorney who is experienced on that side of legal things.
If you’re on the other side, then you want an attorney who’s experienced with representing the families of those who have experienced a wrongful death. The legal processes look very different on either side of the lawsuit.
2. Online Reputation
Thanks to the Internet, we now have a window into the reputation of practically every service provider on the planet. The story doesn’t change when you consider attorneys. Look for positive references and reviews.
If the attorney you’re considering doesn’t have a great reputation online for being easy to work with, helping clients navigate the wrongful death experience, then run.
3. Case History
Another way to assess the competency of a wrongful death attorney is to look at their case history. Take a look at public records to see how many successful cases the attorney has been involved in, and what their most recent win percentage is.
4. Legal Connections
A good wrongful death attorney is one that will have a significant number of legal connections. They will know the right clerks at the courts to file with, they will have personal relationships with members of the court, etc.. Make sure your attorney has those connections as well.
5. Fees
Common attorney fees for a wrongful death lawsuit are typically delayed until the conclusion of the case. Some attorneys will even work on a contingency fee basis without a retainer, where their payment is a certain percentage of the fulfilled lawsuit.
6. Settlement vs. Trial Percentages
When you file a wrongful death case, you may only be seeking a settlement for financial compensation. If that’s the case, then you want an attorney that has a history for taking settlements.
On the other hand, if you want the company to go to court, then you’re going to want to look for an attorney that has a history of being successful in getting cases in front of a judge and jury.
7. Industry Experience
Wrongful death lawsuits are filed against companies in a variety of industries. Be sure to hire an attorney that has experience dealing with suits in your particular industry.
Finding Wrongful Death Attorneys, Made Simple
There you have it. Now that you know how to sort through wrongful death attorneys to find the right one, all that’s left is for you to start your search.
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