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What to Look For in a Louisville Wrongful Death Lawyer

How Do I Choose a Wrongful Death Lawyer?

January 4, 2021

Few things are as difficult to overcome as the death of a loved one, especially when their death was avoidable. Unfortunately, a number of people are killed due to someone else’s carelessness or negligence.

While nothing can erase the tragedy you are facing, the law does allow surviving family members to pursue compensation against the negligent party. This financial compensation can be awarded to cover your out-of-pocket expenses, including medical and funeral expenses, as well as lost earnings and benefits, loss of companionship, and more.

Unfortunately, recovering compensation can be a challenge. You must be able to prove what happened, who was negligent, how much you deserve in compensation, and more. If you are facing this situation, a Louisville wrongful death attorney can help.

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a wrongful death lawyer. Keep reading for more information on what to look for in an attorney to handle your claim. If you need immediate assistance, contact the Karl Truman Law Office in Louisville for a free consultation.

Experience Handling Wrongful Death Claims

There are many different types of personal injury cases, from auto accidents to dog bites and more. Each of these types of cases is different. They involve different laws, require different evidence, and call for a different approach.

Keep this in mind when seeking an attorney to assist with your wrongful death claim. The lawyer you choose should have significant experience fighting for surviving families’ rights after the wrongful death of a loved one.

Wrongful Death Case Results

While experience is a good sign, positive case results are even more important. Ask prospective attorneys how many wrongful death claims they have settled, how many cases they have taken to trial, and how many ended in a favorable verdict.

In addition to verdicts and settlements, look at the attorney’s reviews. Clients in wrongful death claims are grieving family members who are often in the midst of one of the most difficult parts of their lives. Testimonials from people in a similar situation to you and your loved ones can give you an idea of how an attorney or law firm may handle your case.

Knowledge of State and Local Laws

Wrongful death statutes vary from state to state. It is important to choose a wrongful death attorney who knows the law in your state and what it means for your case.

For example, in Kentucky there are no damage caps on wrongful death claims, meaning you are not limited in the amount of compensation you and your family can recover. Other states, however, such as neighboring Indiana, place limits on how much you can recover in compensation. There are also differences in the statute of limitations, who can file a claim, and who can be awarded damages.

For all of these reasons, it is crucial that your attorney has a deep understanding of these laws, backed by local experience, to build a strong case on your behalf.

Contact a Louisville wrongful death attorney today.

Compassionate Support

Experience, results, and knowledge are all important. However, the attorney you choose should also strive to understand what you are going through and treat you and your family with compassion. 

You may be working closely with your attorney for a lengthy period of time. You need to know that the attorney and his or her staff are committed not only to achieving the best outcome in your case but providing you with emotional support in this challenging time.

Experience Taking Wrongful Death Cases to Trial

There are two ways you can recover financial compensation for a wrongful death:

The first is through a settlement, where an insurance company will agree to pay a certain amount in compensation if you agree not to pursue further legal action.

In some cases, settling works well for claimants. It might take some time for an insurance company to agree to a fair amount, but accepting a settlement allows you to avoid the time and uncertainty of the second way of recovering compensation, which is going to trial.

That said, being willing to take a wrongful death case to trial may be critical for obtaining the compensation you and your family deserve. Your attorney needs to be prepared to take this step, too. 

Many lawyers spend little to no time in the courtroom. If your case goes to court, you need an experienced trial attorney to advocate on your behalf.

Meet Our Attorneys.

Contact a Louisville Wrongful Death Attorney

At the Karl Truman Law Office, our goal is to achieve justice for the surviving family members of wrongful death victims. We are compassionate, determined attorneys with decades of experience fighting for our clients’ rights.

If you lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, it is important to seek legal counsel as soon as possible. Contact a Louisville wrongful death attorney by calling (502) 222-2222 today. Your initial consultation is free.