A few things are more painful than losing a loved one untimely, especially in cases of wrongful death where you lose someone close because of someone else’s negligence and misconduct. For learning more about law firms and its working read further.
A wrongful death claim classifies a civil cause of action brought by family members or dependents against individuals who knowingly or negligently cause the death of another person. While hiring a lawyer and bringing on a claim against anyone may not remedy your pain, know that you deserve justice and compensation if a loved one has been a wrongful death victim.
The most important thing to do is to get a good legal representative, meaning a wrongful death lawyer. To make it easier for you to choose a good wrongful death lawyer, we’ve listed the 9 factors we believe your wrongful death lawyer must have.
1. Experience
You must know that experience is key whenever you’re pursuing a wrongful death lawyer. So, make sure you choose a lawyer experienced in wrongful death cases. Preferably, a lawyer that is particularly experienced in the kind of case you are pursuing should be your priority.
This is because every case is different. For example, a workplace accident differs significantly from a vehicle accident case. The court procedures for the required evidence will differ. So, make sure to ask the lawyer you will be hiring if they’ve dealt with cases similar to your case before.
2. Reviews and References
Another factor you want to be cautious about is the experience a lawyer’s previous clients have had with them. Certifications hardly matter if the lawyer isn’t responsive or considerate towards his/her clients.
So, do a quick social media search and look for reviews. You want to ensure the lawyer’s previous clients have had a satisfactory experience with the lawyer or even the firm he/she is employed at. This will also provide insight into how the lawyer operates and whether you two are a good match.
3. Cost
One thing you don’t want to do is spend all your finances on a lawyer’s fee and put yourself in a dire financial situation. While if you win a wrongful death case, you will be financially compensated, it is still essential to remain cautious and ask your lawyer about the projected cost of pursuing the case at the start. So you get an idea about what your minimum budget would be.
Know that some law firms charge by the hour while others may have a contingency feel model in place. Knowing this information in advance can help you prevent running into a situation where you may not have any money to spend on a lawyer when the case is still ongoing in court.
4. Comfort
This is not a factor many clients consider before hiring a lawyer for their case. However, it is undoubtedly a highly important one. The comfort level between you and your lawyer greatly impacts how they will manage your case.
You should be able to trust your lawyer enough to communicate all your wants and needs to them, and they should be willing to listen.
5. The Right Resources
A wrongful death case is a complex process, you want to have a lawyer with proxy access to a network of legal resources. A lawyer with the right connections and resources is more likely to win you a wrongful death case, which is an involved process and requires the maximum effort of everyone involved.
So, make sure to hire a lawyer with the right resources in hand.
6. Communication
If you’ve lost a loved one to a wrongful death, likely, you’re not in a good place emotionally and mentally. Not everyone understands that losing a loved one to death can be a devastating process. This is why you would want to work with a lawyer that is empathetic and compassionate enough to understand your ordeal and communicate with you accordingly.
You want to avoid any lawyer that is indifferent or detached from how you feel. Go for a lawyer who knows what’s at stake in a case like yours, listens, and understands your needs entirely. Also, make sure to have a proper chat with a lawyer before you hire them and ask relevant questions to test their expertise regarding your case. A good lawyer should be able to communicate well and clearly with his/her clients.
7. Bar Association Standing
Another helpful factor is always to have a lawyer’s bar association standing before hiring them. To do this, go to your local bar association website and ensure the lawyer you’re interested in hiring is a member. You can also check whether the lawyer has any leadership roles listed. This is a sign of an experienced and respected lawyer.
However, if the lawyer you are interested in hiring does not appear anywhere, do not hire them.
8. Who Works the Case
If you’re looking into law firms, you want to know who will work on your case. Whether it’s a junior associate or a senior lawyer, if a junior associate handles your case, you must check if they’re qualified. Even if they are not, it’s all good if an experienced lawyer supervises them.
But knowing who will be working on your case is crucial to knowing what to expect as your case progresses.
9. Cases Lost and Won
Before hiring your lawyer, you would want to know how many cases they’ve won and lost, especially wrongful death cases. Moreover, you should also try to find out how many cases they’ve settled outside of court, as often many out-of-court settlements indicate the lawyer wants to end the case instead of trying to win it. Along with sufficient experience, a lawyer should also win cases they fight.
Case victory led the law firms too. If you find a law firm with high ranking and success stories on Google, definitely your trust builds. Some law firms do Content Marketing and SEO to get in the search easily. For references and further information check Jurisdigital.
Conclusion
Choosing the right lawyer may not be able to heal your pain, but it can help you get the compensation you rightfully deserve. We hope you find a lawyer who helps you fight for justice and considers your fight as their fight.
