When you have lost a loved one, you may be considering a wrongful death lawsuit to get compensation for your loss. This compensation can help you pay bills and get your daily life back on track in the absence of your loved one. But to give yourself the best chance of getting that compensation, you need to choose your wrongful death lawyer with care.
Here are some steps to follow to find a good wrongful death lawyer.
Get Recommendations
First, start by getting recommendations from friends and family. Hopefully, you do not know too many people who have suffered this type of traumatic loss, but, if you do, they may be able to help you. Recommendations for lawyers who have helped with other types of personal injury claims should be evaluated carefully, because wrongful death law is different from many types of injury law.
You should also get recommendations from professionals. If you have a family lawyer or if a lawyer is acting as executor of the estate, you should talk to them about recommendations.
Research Lawyers
Once you have gotten recommendations (or even if you got no recommendations), it’s time to research lawyers online. Check out the recommended lawyers, but also look at other lawyers in the area. Make sure the lawyers you are considering actually handle wrongful death cases, and look for evidence of success in the area. Check for credentials, special training in wrongful death, and honors received from their peers and major ratings agencies. Check out their settlements and verdicts page, as well as testimonials on the site. You want a lawyer with a proven track record in this area.
Check out reviews for lawyers off their site, too. Go beyond the star ratings given by reviewers to read actual reviews. The details in the review will tell you more about a lawyer’s practice and whether you want to work with that lawyer.
At AccidenetAttorneys.org we have selected lawyers from across the country who have been recognized as outstanding by their peers and independent ratings agencies, so when you talk to one of our lawyers, you know you are talking to an expert.
Interview Lawyers
Once you have gathered a list of 3-5 lawyers you are considering, schedule consultations with them. Don’t worry about cost: they will all likely offer free initial consultations.
Talk to the lawyers about your case and ask for some advice. Talk about fees and expenses. Ask about how your case will be handled, how often you will receive updates and information, and whether you can call the lawyer personally.
Pay attention to the questions your lawyer is asking you. A quality lawyer may be choosier about the cases he or she takes on and may be trying to find out information about you and your case to decide whether they want your case.
Make a Decision–Or Start Again
Once you have talked to a few lawyers, you might feel it’s time to make a decision. Select the lawyer that gives you the most confidence your case will be handled capably and compassionately. You want the case to remain yours, but you want the lawyer to exercise their judgment and give you good counsel. You also want a lawyer you feel you can work with. Your case may take months or even years to resolve, and if you can’t work with your lawyer that long, it may mean trouble at the critical phase of the case.
If you don’t find a lawyer who gives you full confidence, don’t let yourself be pressured into making a decision. There are limits, called statutes of limitations, on how long you have before filing your lawsuit, so be aware of them, but otherwise you have to take the time to find the right wrongful death lawyer.
To talk to one of our experienced wrongful death lawyers, please contact AccidentAttorneys.org today.