After losing a loved one, many people feel as though their family member or friend died before their time. For most people, this is nothing more than a natural part of the grieving process. However, for some people, this feeling stems from the fact that their loved one's death could have been prevented if the other parties involved death had not acted in a negligent manner. In these cases, the loved ones that are left behind may be able to file a wrongful death claim in order to seek compensation on behalf of the deceased. If you believe that the recent loss of one of your family members falls into this category, there are a few facts that you should know before deciding whether or not you wish to pursue a wrongful death claim.

Wrongful Death Claims Can Be Time Consuming and Expensive

In order to successful collect compensation in a wrongful death claim, you will need to prove that the individual or company responsible for your loved one's death acted in a negligent or incompetent manner. Furthermore, you will need to prove that in the absence of this negligence, your loved one would have likely survived, even if only for a short period of time. Proving these two facts will often require the testimony of medical professionals, accident analysts, and other experts, all of whom will require a fee for their testimony. Consequently pursing a wrongful death claim on your own can often be impossible. Thankfully, with the help of a qualified lawyer, you will be able to cover these essential costs while you await settlement in your case.

There Is a Time Limit That Governs Your Right to File a Claim

All wrongful death cases will come with a statute of limitations which dictates exactly how long you have to file a claim before your legal right to file is gone forever. The length of this time limit will vary from state to state. Furthermore, while some states will commence countdown on the day the victim dies, others will not apply a time limit until after the next of kin becomes aware of their loved ones death. The complexity surrounding this time limit is yet another reason why you should always consult a wrongful death lawyer regarding your case as soon a possible.

You Don't Need Money to Hire a Lawyer

By now, you are well aware of just how important hiring a lawyer can be when filing a wrongful death claim. If you are like many people, you may assume that this means you will be unable to successfully pursue your claim due to your limited financial resources. However, the truth is, you can obtain the legal representation that you need even if you don't have a single dollar to your name. This is because most wrongful death lawyers (like those at the Law Offices Of John Drew Warlick Jr., P.A.) will offer their services on a contingency basis. This means that not only can you obtain these services without paying anything upfront, but you are only required to pay for these services if the lawyer is successful in your case.