Have you lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence? Take a look at these 3 wrongful death facts, then give our Phoenix office a call to learn more.
1) Choosing a Wrongful Death Attorney
If you are reading this, it’s likely that one of your loved ones has died unjustly at the hands of someone— either a doctor or some type of violent perpetrator— and you’re pursuing your claim. First and foremost, on behalf of our entire law firm and our family here, our condolences to you. We know that losing a loved one could be very significant to you, but we also want to be here for you to help you pursue your wrongful death claims. We have a great degree of experience. You always want to look for someone with experience as it relates to wrongful death claims and knows the wrongful death statutes and causes of action that could lead to damages that you’re being compensated or cared for.
There’s nothing that’s going to replace the life of your loved one, but we certainly want those claims pursued. We have had success with wrongful death, know how to pinpoint the cause of action and are also trial lawyers not afraid to take a case to trial. We will not allow the burden of trial to cause our clients to make a settlement or agreement concerning a case or minimize the value of a case. You want experience, you want success, and you want a lawyer who can go all the way. We are confident that if you call our office and talk to one of our attorneys that practices in the wrongful death area, you’ll find that someone that’s experienced, someone that’s certainly a trial lawyer, and someone that has been successful with these types of cases.
2) Wrongful Death Case Timeline
Here in Arizona, the amount of time that it takes to resolve a wrongful death claim or to litigate a wrongful death case can vary based on a number of factors. What are the underlying factors related to the wrongful death claim? Was it the result of some type of medical procedure? Was it a result of an incident or an accident? These factors can vary greatly, so there is no specific or set time frame in which the matter will be resolved. Sometimes, we try to resolve these cases in prelitigation efforts, if those are available; other times, there are no prelitigation efforts available to resolve the case and it has to be filed in court. Of course, the courts have a lot to do with the amount of time, according to the discovery rules here in Arizona or in the federal courts here in the state of Arizona. The discovery rules will play a significant role in the amount of time that the court allows to litigate this case on the merits.
We know you may be experiencing a lot of anxiety. You’re here trying to represent the interest of your loved one who has lost their life. Of course, we are sympathetic and empathetic to those positions and to you processing the emotions behind losing a loved one, but we also make sure that we are candid and have that conversation with you so that we are not rushing to get the case resolved, but are also not kicking the can down the road and keeping it going longer than necessary. The amount of time that it will take is only the amount of time that is necessary to pursue all of the claims and get you the amount that we feel and that you feel is the proper value for your wrongful death claim.
3) Wrongful Death Case Value
Here in the state of Arizona, when we value wrongful death claims, we look at a number of things. How did this wrongful death happen? Are there underlying things that led up to this cause of death? Was it just an accident, or was it a result of some type of medical procedure or negligence by a police officer? There could be a number of things that are calculated when determining the value of a wrongful death case. Who was the person? Were they married? Did they have children? What was their profession? Were they a doctor, or were they a lawyer that passed away? Were they a clerk at the local grocery store? There are a number of things that factor in. How old were they? How long were they expected to live? Were they generally in good health and expected to live the average number of years as the average adult in the country?
We also consider damages. Should there be punitive damages? Is this strict neglect, per se neglect? We put all of those things together after we look at the facts of the case and determine what we think the value of the case is. You’re involved in that process. A lot of the information that we need concerning your loved one will come from you, and you’re involved in that process if you’re the person or representative for the estate. We have that conversation with you to determine what the value of the case is. That’s how we pursue the claims. That will be the number that we’ll go after, either in prelitigation or in litigation.
Did you lose a loved one from the negligence of another in Arizona and have questions about our 3 wrongful death facts? Contact experienced Phoenix Wrongful Death Attorneys at Smith & Green today for a legal consultation.
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