Losing someone is always painful, especially when the person you love has died wrongfully. You and your family deserve justice and compensation for what you’re going through. Are you wondering how to prepare for your wrongful death case? Here are a few steps your wrongful death attorney can help you with.
1. Contact a Lawyer
When you are filing any sort of legal claim, you need to make sure you have the right legal representation on your side. For your case to have the best possible shot at a fair settlement, you’ll want a qualified lawyer.
Hiring a Houston wrongful death attorney will ensure that you get the representation you need and that your rights and the rights of your loved one are respected. Lawyers also know how to tackle a case, and they employ the right strategies so you can get the compensation you deserve.
2. Look for Evidence
If someone you love has died wrongfully and you are looking for compensation, you need to make sure that you gather the right pieces of evidence to support your case. As the plaintiff, it’s your job to prove that the other party is responsible for the death of your loved one.
Your lawyer will be able to help you with this. They’ll tell you what kinds of evidence to gather, like photos and videos or medical records to demonstrate the cause of death. Your lawyer will also help you gather this evidence and keep everything organized.
3. File Your Claim
To start your lawsuit, you’ll need to file your claim with the court system. For your case to be considered, you will need to do this within a certain timeframe, also known as a statute of limitations. If you don’t file on time, your case will not be considered.
It can be difficult to manage everything when you are also grieving for someone. Your lawyer will know what documents need to be filled out and where they need to go. They’ll also make sure that all of the appropriate paperwork is filed on time.
4. Look for Expert Witnesses
Not all legal cases are going to require the help of an expert witness. But depending on how your loved one died, having an expert witness can do a lot to support your case and prove that it was the other party’s fault.
An expert witness is someone who is an expert in their particular field. You can hire them to offer testimony that supports your case. If you and your lawyer deem it necessary for you to hire an expert witness, your lawyer has access to the right one for you.
5. Avoid Speaking to Insurance Companies
If your loved one died wrongfully, the other party’s insurance company may attempt to reach out to you. Although the representatives may seem sympathetic, you should avoid speaking to them. Their goal is to pay you as low an amount as possible, and they know how to take advantage of your lack of legal knowledge to do so.
Never communicate directly with these insurance companies. Instead, tell them to contact your lawyer, and refuse to answer any questions. Your lawyer will know exactly how to deal with the insurance company and prevent you from making any big mistakes.
6. Avoid Making Major Mistakes
The death of a loved one is an emotional time. During this time, you may find yourself not thinking rationally. This is normal, but it’s important to know what mistakes to avoid so you don’t end up getting your legal case thrown out.
One of the biggest things you should avoid doing is posting anything on social media. You might be surprised to learn how many cases are lost because of this. It’s also important to keep from arguing with your family members or making any kind of public statement regarding the death.
7. Be Prepared to Wait
Seeking legal action in the event of a wrongful death will get you and your family the justice you deserve. But as much as you may want to get the lawsuit over with as quickly as possible, it’s important not to rush the process.
It can be painful and difficult, but you will likely need to do a lot of waiting when you file your lawsuit. It’s important to be patient throughout the process. These things take time to do right. If you ever find yourself with questions or concerns about your case, you can always reach out to your lawyer.
If someone you love has died wrongfully, you deserve justice and compensation. It’s important to make sure that you are preparing for your case properly. Remember the above steps, and always work with a qualified lawyer whenever you’re filing any type of lawsuit.
