Why You Need to Hire a Wrongful Death Attorney

Get the Compensation You Deserve With a Los Angeles Wrongful Death Lawyer

While taking legal action may not be a priority for those who have lost a loved one, it's important for their family members to consider retaining a wrongful death lawyer before it's too late. The compensation provided by a wrongful death lawsuit can help ease this financial burden of their loss.

In California, there’s a time limit for submitting a wrongful death claim called the ‘statute of limitations’. Once this time period expires, the courts no longer have the jurisdiction to punish violators, offer compensation to victims, and lawsuits may no longer be filed.

Wrongful deaths are unexpected and challenging. If you have a wrongful death lawsuit, an experienced attorney can provide you with professional guidance and case representation needed during your legal proceedings.

What Are Common Avoidable Mistakes Made in Wrongful Death Cases?

The success of legal proceedings is contingent on the plaintiffs being aware of their rights, limitations, and timing obligations. A seemingly minor error can damage their case and diminish their recovery.

Common mistakes to avoid when pursuing a wrongful death case include:

1. Fighting with family. The tragedy within your family will cause high tension and prompt stressful situations. Arguing with family will only make this process more difficult, as there is more room for error when communication is lacking.
2. Speaking publicly. The death of your loved one may be covered by the news, depending on the severity of the case. It's important to refrain from speaking to others about the death, especially publicly; Any kind of statement made may be used against you in your wrongful death case – even if it seems harmless at the time. A public statement may damage the decedent’s integrity of your family’s credibility and may downplay the fault of the negligent party.
3. Speaking to an insurance company. The responsible party’s insurance company may contact you and try to offer compensation. The insurance company is not on your side and will pay you as little as possible to make this claim go away. They'll try to reduce or deny the money owed to you based on what you say to them. Keep in mind that anything you say to the opposing side can be misrepresented and used against you.
4. Accepting a settlement offer too quickly. You should avoid agreeing to any other settlement offers without careful consideration. Once you accept a settlement agreement, you are unable to ask for additional compensation in the future. You want to ensure that the money you recieve is enough to take care of your family’s expenses from the death – especially when the decedent is someone who provided a substantial amount of the income that supported your family.
5. Failure to consider potential liable parties. The party who is primarily at fault may be obvious from the beginning; however, families should consider if/what other parties may have contributed to the cause of death; This could include a parent company, employer, or partnering organization. Including all of the responsible parties in the case can offer larger compensation to cover all of the expenses owed to the family as a result of their loved one's death.
6. Taking too long to pursue legal action. It's crucial to consider the time restraint on filing a legal proceeding (based on California's statute of limitations). An effective attorney will need time to gather evidence and documentation before filing your claim, so it's critical to ensure that you hire an attorney before it's too late.
7. Moving forward without an attorney. Wrongful death cases can be extremely complicated, and the court system can be complex with its strict requirements and deadlines. Investing in a reputable attorney with proven experience in wrongful death cases will increase your chances of success and reduce the stress of going through the legal process alone.

Why Do I Need to Hire a Wrongful Death Attorney?

Here are 10 reasons why you should hire a wrongful death lawyer:

1. Experience Assessing Claims. Wrongful death attorneys are experienced with cases like yours and can tell you right away whether it's worth pursuing legal action.
2. No Fees if You Don't Recover. Most wrongful death attorneys work for a contingency fee, which means that if you do not win your case, you won't pay attorneys' fees. You are, however, responsible for certain expenses not directly related to an attorney’s services, such as the fees doctors charge for reviewing your records or being interviewed.
3. Red Tape. Complicated legal procedures, confusing medical terms, and lots and lots of paperwork are common in wrongful death cases; An experienced attorney can work through the maze of paperwork necessary to resolve your claim so that you don't have to handle it alone.
4. Investigative Team. Attorneys typically work with a team of investigators who have experience in specialized areas and will skillfully examine the technical aspects of your case.
5. Objectivity: Anger, pain, frustration, and fear may impact your ability to see the facts clearly; A wrongful death attorney can be more objective about your case than you and will not make a rash decision.
6. Alternative Dispute Resolution. Lengthy and complicated trials are not always necessary to resolve a case; An experienced attorney will know whether your case may be best worked out using alternative dispute resolution methods, thereby saving you time, money, and peace of mind.
7. Experience With Other Lawyers. An experienced wrongful death lawyer can deal most effectively and quickly with the opposing side’s attorney, which is particularly important during the fact-finding part of the litigation when parties are required to exchange facts and documents.
8. Experience With Insurance Companies. Wrongful death lawyers are used to working with insurance companies and will not be confused by their tactics or feel pressured to settle for an unsatisfactory amount.
9. Best Settlements: Many wrongful death cases are resolved by a negotiated settlement instead of trial. Typically, a settlement means the plaintiff will give up the right to sue in exchange for a payment from the defendant or an insurance company, and an attorney will negotiate a settlement on behalf of a client to resolve the case as quickly as possible.
10. Best Jury Verdicts: A wrongful death lawyer can zealously represent you in court to achieve the best possible jury verdict in your favor, and will develop a legal strategy designed to help get you the maximum compensation available for your loss.

Win Your Wrongful Death Case with Our Experienced Attorneys

Hiring a wrongful death lawyer that has your best interest can act as your advocate and help you understand the best way to proceed. They can also help you understand your rights and help to identify the individuals responsible for your loss.

You shouldn't have to suffer the financial consequences from the death of a loved one. An individual must be held accountable when their intentional, reckless, or negligent behavior causes the death of your loved one. A wrongful death attorney understands there is no amount of money that can make up for their loss.

They also understand your family may suffer devastating financial consequences, including. unexpected medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, and the loss of companionship. If you believe a loved one would not have died had the responsible party acted reasonably, consider contacting a wrongful death attorney.

Wrongful Death Lawyers in Los Angeles

If you have recently suffered the loss of a loved one due to someone’s negligence or intentional act, you may have a claim to receive substantial compensation for wrongful death. Don't delay in holding accountable the party who's responsible for your loved one's loss.

If you're mourning the loss of a loved one, you deserve an experienced wrongful death lawyer to fight passionately by your side. Our dedicated team of attorneys at The Gutierrez Law Firm has the expertise necessary to protect your legal rights and help you recover the compensation you deserve.

For a free initial consultation and dedicated representation, contact us by phone at (323) 999-3500 or by email at office@gutierrez.legal at any time.