When you believe that you have a wrongful death claim, you may be reluctant to turn to a wrongful death lawyer for help. However, wrongful death lawyers will often provide consultation for free. Even if the consultation isn't free, an attorney will be able to determine if it's worthwhile to pursue a wrongful death claim. There are several questions you should ask.

Do I Have a Wrongful Death Claim?

You'll need to determine if you have a wrongful death claim. If you were not reliant on the individual for emotional or financial support and if you were not a family member, you may not be able to seek compensation even if there was a wrongful death case. Even if your loved one passed away, you must prove that it was the fault of the defendant and that he or she behaved with negligence or malice or was at fault in some other way. 

Cases such as negligence can be difficult because there can be a fine line between honest effort and negligence. However, there are best practices in a profession and failing to follow these best practices can lead to a negligence case. 

Can You Practice in My State?

Ask the attorney if he or she may help you if you live outside of the state. While some attorneys will only help clients within a limited area, some law firms are able to operate on a much larger scope.

What Can Affect My Wrongful Death Claim?

Certain factors can result in a wrongful death claim leading to a larger settlement. For example, if your loved one suffered and if he or she had a full life ahead of himself or herself, this can lead to a larger settlement. Also, under certain circumstances, if you experienced the death of your loved one, you may seek compensation for emotional distress.

If you have any questions about the wrongful death process, make sure to bring them up with the wrongful death attorney. For example, you might wonder if it's better to seek a settlement or if you should go to trial. You might also wonder what forms of damages you can claim. You are always better off going through this process with a wrongful death attorney. While you do have two years to file, you don't want to wait too long because a wrongful death claim can lead to important information being lost.

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