Losing a loved one is never easy. Dealing with someone else’s negligence on top of your grief? Torturous.
You’ve got questions: Can I file a wrongful death lawsuit? Should I? What kind of lawyer do I need to handle my case?
Here’s what’s real and what’s not.
The Bottom Line: The attorney you choose will determine the success of your case. The right lawyer could add hundreds of thousands of dollars to your settlement.
Here’s exactly what to look for and the questions to ask.
What You’ll Learn In This Guide:
- Why Wrongful Death Cases Need Specialized Legal Services
- The 5x Most Important Qualities Your Attorney Must Have
- How To Spot Red Flags During Your Consultation
- Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring
Why Wrongful Death Cases Need Specialized Legal Services
Wrongful death lawsuits are different from standard personal injury claims.
They’re more complex. They’re more emotional. And they require specialized experience that not all attorneys possess.
When you need wrongful death legal services, you need an attorney that understands the unique nature of your situation.
You’re not just seeking compensation. You’re fighting for justice for someone who can no longer fight for themselves. A wrongful death lawyer in Calgary knows how to guide you through the legal process and fight to maximize your compensation.
According to recent data, the average wrongful death settlement is $973,054 but the median value is $294,728. As you can see, the difference between a large settlement and a smaller one is massive.
You need an attorney that will aggressively fight for you.
You can’t put a price on justice, but you can know when you have a good case. A skilled attorney can maximize your compensation and give you the financial security that you and your family deserve.
Wrongful death legal services are the most challenging personal injury cases. You need an attorney with extensive experience and the best resources.
The 5x Most Important Qualities Your Attorney Must Have
You’ve done your research. Now it’s time to find a lawyer.
Here’s what makes a great wrongful death attorney and what makes a so-so one.
The Qualities You Need Most
Experience With Wrongful Death Cases
This one should be obvious, but it’s worth repeating: experience.
Your attorney needs extensive experience with wrongful death cases. Not personal injury. Not civil litigation. Wrongful death lawsuits.
The legal requirements for a successful wrongful death case are different from a standard personal injury suit. You’ll need to prove duty of care and breach of duty. You’ll need to establish causation, and you’ll have to prove both economic and non-economic damages.
An experienced wrongful death lawyer knows how to handle all these unique legal aspects.
A Proven Track Record
Experience is great. Results are better.
You want to see that an attorney has consistently settled and won wrongful death cases.
Look for attorneys with a high success rate.
You can even find firms with success rates as high as 99% in wrongful death lawsuits.
Ask questions:
- What are your recent case results?
- What is your average wrongful death settlement?
- How many of your cases go to trial?
- Can I talk to past clients?
Strong Communication Skills
You need a two-way line of communication with your attorney.
The average wrongful death lawsuit takes months or even years to settle or go to trial. You need someone that will keep you in the loop on developments.
Does the attorney return calls? Do they communicate clearly and concisely in person or over the phone?
These are red flags if the attorney has a hard time communicating during the initial consultation.
Resources To Handle Complex Cases
Wrongful death lawsuits are complex.
They require expert witnesses. Accident reconstruction specialists. Medical professionals to testify to the cause of death. Economists to determine damages. Private investigators to collect evidence.
The best wrongful death attorneys have access to all these resources. In-house experts. A network of specialists. They won’t try to do it all themselves, instead relying on a team of experts to back up their case.
The cases with expert witnesses at trial are far more likely to win.
Compassion & Understanding
Legal knowledge and skills are important. But so is empathy.
At this moment in your life, you need someone that shows concern for your circumstances. Who treats you with the utmost respect and dignity.
Wrongful death lawsuits are difficult for everyone involved. Make sure you have an attorney on your side that balances professionalism with compassion.
How To Spot Red Flags During Your Consultation
All attorneys are not created equal. It’s important to know the red flags and be aware of the techniques that unscrupulous lawyers might use to lure you into hiring them.
Here’s what to watch out for:
Pressure tactics. If an attorney tries to pressure you into signing on the spot, don’t do it. Good lawyers will give you time to make a decision.
Unrealistic promises. Guarantees of large settlements or specific results are a major red flag. While an attorney can make estimates, nothing is guaranteed.
Poor communication. Does the attorney return calls? Can they explain legal concepts clearly? Do they keep you informed during your consultation? This is how it will be during your case, so look for a communication style that works for you.
Limited experience. If an attorney has only handled a few wrongful death cases in the past, they’re probably not the best choice for your situation.
Unclear fee structure. A good attorney will be completely upfront about their fees from day one. Beware of any attorney who is vague or evasive about this important topic.
Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring
So, you’ve decided to set up consultations with some potential wrongful death attorneys.
Before you do that, here’s a list of questions that will help you compare apples to apples.
How many wrongful death cases have you handled?
You want an attorney with extensive experience in wrongful death cases.
What’s your success rate?
Ask for statistics. Look for attorneys with high settlement rates and a solid track record with trial verdicts.
What’s your fee structure?
Most wrongful death attorneys work on contingency. But make sure you understand how they’ll calculate their percentage.
Who will handle my case?
In larger firms, your case might get passed to a junior attorney. Make sure you know who will be the point person.
What’s your strategy for my case?
You should leave your initial consultation with a general sense of how the attorney will approach your specific situation.
How long do these cases typically take?
An experienced attorney can give you a realistic time frame on your wrongful death lawsuit.
What resources do you have?
This is a good question to see if they have a network of expert witnesses and investigators.
Taking The Next Step
Wrongful death lawsuits are life-changing.
The attorney that you choose will determine how your life changes.
The average wrongful death settlement is $973,054. An exceptional attorney could change the zeros on that settlement.
Choose specialized experience in wrongful death legal services. Confirm their track record in settling and winning cases. Look for strong resources to back up complex cases. Pay attention to communication skills and empathy. Look for red flags during consultations.
Most importantly, listen to your instincts.
You will know when you have found the right wrongful death attorney.
The journey toward justice begins with the right legal representation.