The death of a loved one can be extremely distressing. This is worse in cases of wrongful death, where a person died because of negligence or misconduct.
If you or someone you know are facing this situation, there are options you can consider. This article will go into the factors that should influence the wrongful death lawyer that you hire.
1. Amount of Experience
A wrongful death case will be of huge significance for you, so you want to make sure the case is carried out well. This is why you will have to consider how much experience a wrongful death lawyer has. If possible, find someone who is especially experienced in the kind of case you are pursuing.
Every wrongful death case is different, so experience in a car accident case will be very different from that of a medical malpractice case. The types of evidence the lawyer will have to gather will differ, and the procedures may also differ.
A lawyer who is well-versed in a certain type of wrongful death case will be able to make the best use of your time and will know which strategies work best in court. Ask your lawyer if they are specialized in a certain area of law before hiring them.
2. References and Reviews
It doesn’t matter how certified a lawyer is if they are not able to provide good services for their clients. Make sure you do your due diligence and find reviews from previous clients about the wrongful death lawyer.
How responsive are they? Do they have a good track record with wrongful death cases?
A Google search may not be enough, considering the higher stakes. If possible, approach their previous clients and have a conversation. This will allow you to understand how the lawyer works and whether they will suit your needs.
3. How Much They Cost
If you win a wrongful death case, you may receive compensation that can benefit your financial situation. At the same time, however, a victory is not a certainty. You will have to consider how much you can and want to sacrifice to hire a lawyer to pursue the case.
You want to make sure that the wrongful death lawyer you choose will not drain your finances more than you can handle. Different law firms will have different payment models, which you can benefit from understanding early on.
For instance, some law firms will employ a contingency fee model, where you only pay if you win the case. Some others will charge by the hour.
From the start, ask them how much the projected costs will be. Make sure you go through your budget and decide on what you can sacrifice without putting yourself in a financially difficult situation.
4. How Comfortable You Are With the Lawyer
At the end of the day, the dynamic between you and your lawyer will heavily impact how they handle your case. They may have great reviews and extensive experience, but if you don’t feel comfortable with them, you may not want to entrust them with such an important case.
This may be because you find their work ethic incompatible, or you may have difficulty in communicating your wants and needs. It’s better to settle for a slightly less experienced lawyer than carry on with one that you don’t fully trust to handle your case well.
5. The Resources Available to You
Not all attorneys have the same amount of resources available. If the wrongful death case drags on for months, for instance, some lawyers will not be able to accommodate for this.
When you decide to pursue a wrongful death claim, your goal is to receive something fruitful out of it. To ensure this, ask your lawyers about the resources available to them and ask for a realistic outlook of what they can offer you. This will help you make wiser hiring choices.
6. How They Communicate With You
If you’ve faced a wrongful death experience, you may be in an emotionally vulnerable situation. Because of this, you would ideally want to work with a wrongful death lawyer who understands and can communicate with empathy.
You would want to consider whether they understand what’s at stake, and how they approach your case in general. You wouldn’t want to work with someone who reacts with indifference or detachment when providing you with their services, because it may prevent you from being comfortable around them.
At the same time, make sure that they are receptive to your needs. Not all lawyers are open to listening to their clients attentively, but you want to make sure that they are working for you, not for themselves. This means that they have to be aware of what you truly want to achieve, and take steps to ensure this will happen.
For instance, you may find it worth it to pursue a settlement offer instead of dragging out the case at court. Your lawyer may not agree with this, but they should still work to ensure the best outcome for you.
Find a Suitable Wrongful Death Lawyer
Dealing with a wrongful death experience can be extremely difficult, and you may want to pursue a legal case against the responsible party. To ensure that you succeed, you will have to find a suitable wrongful death lawyer.
There are several factors you have to consider. This includes how much experience they have, how they deal with their clients, how much they cost, and how comfortable you feel with them.
Contact us today to hire a wrongful death lawyer.
