3 Important Questions to Ask a Massachusetts Wrongful Death Lawyer
Published in Personal Injury on March 7, 2023
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Experiencing the loss of a loved one is difficult, especially when it is the direct result of another’s recklessness. Whether it was the fault of a person, third-party entity, or business, their negligence has ultimately resulted in the wrongful death of another human being. Legally, this qualifies their surviving loved ones to file for wrongful death. Amidst funeral arrangements and grieving, you may not know where to begin to process.
The first step is finding a qualified attorney to guide you and alleviate stress. They can help file your claim and fight for a settlement worthy of your family’s devastating loss. Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers are here to help you and your family get the justice and damages you deserve. Give our office a call at 617-391-9001 or fill out our contact form today.
3 Important Questions to Ask Your Massachusetts Wrongful Death Lawyer
It’s essential to be prepared with questions for your initial consultation to ensure the attorney is right for your case. It’s also good to prepare yourself for what the proceedings may look like and the possible outcomes. When you are meeting your wrongful death attorney, keep these three questions in mind:
Do I Have a Wrongful Death Case?
An experienced personal injury lawyer can adequately review your case and identify whether or not you are eligible to file for a wrongful death claim. If an individual is injured and then passes away from an accident that was a direct breach of owed care from another person or business, a claim may be filed.
Massachusetts state law allows only the executor of the estate to file the claim. This individual will either be named directly in the will or can be chosen by the court. From there, surviving family members can collect any damages or compensation.
What Damages Can I Receive as a Result of the Claim?
To get a good idea of the compensation your family may be entitled to, it’s essential to ask your attorney about eligible damages. For a wrongful death claim, most surviving families can recover both economic and non-economic damages. This includes hospital bills for the victim, loss of expected income, funeral and burial expenses, and any incurred pain or suffering.
An attorney can also help you estimate figures for the non-economic damages that don’t have a definite financial value. This can include loss of companionship, loss of services, and loss of protection and care.
What Obstacles Might We Encounter?
Filing a claim can be time-consuming and take considerable effort. After consulting with your attorney, a good question is what obstacles they foresee and how they plan to overcome them. Examples of potential roadblocks include:
- Lack of evidence
- Criminal trials related to the incident
- Statute of limitations
No matter the potential obstacles, a knowledgeable and dedicated wrongful death attorney will fight for the compensation your family needs. If there is a substantial amount of evidence lacking from the scene of the incident, they will use their resources to craft your defense and prove causation.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim? See How We Can Help Today
Don’t attempt to navigate the claim process alone. Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers has helped our clients receive millions of dollars in compensation for their losses and would love to do the same for you and your family. One of our trial attorneys, Jessica M. Gray, has devoted her career to fighting for justice regarding the wrongdoings people face every day. Born and raised in Massachusetts, Gray serves as co-chair of the New Lawyers Division of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys.
Let us do the hard part for you while you focus on the important things, like family and grieving. We will handle everything from the initial filing to the settlement and are even prepared to take your case to court if need be. To begin the process today, please call our office at 617-391-9001 or fill out our contact form.