Wrongful Death in Washington? Here’s How to Choose a Wrongful Death Lawyer

Have you suffered the recent loss of a loved one?

Any time someone you love passes away, it’s normal to feel grief and sadness. If their death occurred because of the irresponsible actions of someone else, this knowledge can add to your pain.

One way to begin the healing process is to hold the parties accountable for their actions. You can hire a wrongful death lawyer to fight for your loved one’s rights and help your family find closure.

Today, we’re sharing a few tips on how to choose the best legal team for your needs. This way, you can feel confident that you’re making the right decision.

What is a Wrongful Death?

A wrongful death is the death of a person that can be traced to the malicious or irresponsible acts of someone else.

A few of the most common examples include:

• Negligence (e.g. careless driving)
• Medical malpractice
• Accidental poisoning or overdose
• Intentional attacks
• Product malfunctions
• Vehicular manslaughter
• Murder

In a wrongful death lawsuit, the victim’s loved ones can seek compensation for the monetary, physical, and emotional damages they have suffered.

Every state has its own wrongful death statutes. Most allow individuals who were directly related to or financially dependent upon the victim to file a suit. Before you go this route, it pays to know who to call.

Next, let’s take a look at a few ways to team with the best wrongful death lawyer in your area.

1. Check Reviews Of Attorneys

Make sure that the attorney you hire has experience, one way is to check multiple review sites, like Avvo, yelp and Google Local.

If the deceased victim would have survived the event that ultimately took their life, they would have teamed with a personal injury attorney to recoup their damages. As such, many experts in this field of law also cover wrongful death lawsuits.

If the death occurred as a result of a vehicle accident, it can be especially helpful to look for a personal injury attorney who also specializes in this area, too.

2. Read Reviews and Testimonials

Once you’ve amassed a few options, head to each lawyer’s website to learn more about their legal team’s expertise and the areas of law they specialize in.

Here, you can also find reviews and testimonials from former clients who have teamed with this law office in the past. This is a great way to get a firsthand, personal account of how the experience went.

In addition, you can also check out the lawyer’s profile in an online business directory, such as Google My Business. Here, you can find contact information for each office (including hours of operation), as well as feedback from former clients.

3. Check the State Bar Association

One of the most effective ways to find a reputable wrongful death attorney? Consult your state bar association.

For every lawyer you’re considering, double-check to make sure they’re members of the bar before moving forward. If you’re in The Golden State, the State Bar of California offers an online search tool that makes this step a cinch.

Each lawyer’s profile will include basic contact information, as well as any disciplinary actions that have been brought against them. You can also learn where they went to law school and how long their state bar membership has been active.

4. Get to Know the Lawyer

Most law offices will have in-depth profiles or biographies of their lawyers on their “About Us” page.

Before you make a decision, it’s helpful to read this page in its entirety. As you do, you’ll learn more about each attorney’s education, legal expertise, and areas of specialization.

You can also discover if the lawyer has won any awards or gained recognition through industry organizations such as the American Institute Of Personal Injury Attorneys (AIOPIA).

If these details are not listed on the lawyer’s website, feel free to give them a call to learn more about their background and skill set.

5. Hold a Face-to-Face Interview

Once you’ve completed the first four steps, your initial list of prospective wrongful death lawyers should be much shorter.

Now, you’re ready to hold an in-person interview, wherein you’ll ask the lawyer key questions about how they can help your case.

When you visit the law office, take note of the atmosphere and how the team makes you feel. You should be comfortable and at ease from the very beginning and never hurried.

A few of the most important questions to ask during the interview include:

• Do you have experience with this specific type of wrongful death case?
• Will you work on other cases at the same time as mine?
• Who will lead the case and represent me in court?
• What type of compensation should I expect?
• What fees are involved in procuring your services?
• What are the state-specific wrongful death statutes I should know?

If you are not satisfied with the answers you receive, continue your search until you find the team that fits. The answers should be clear and complete, leaving no important detail up to interpretation.

A Wrongful Death Lawyer You Can Trust

When you’re grieving the loss of a loved one, you shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to find legal representation.

You need a team of attornies who are client-focused and results-driven. You deserve a law office that will treat you like far more than a case number and help guide you through this difficult process.

If you’re looking to hire a wrongful death lawyer in California, Texas, Washington, or Washington D.C., we’re here to help. Our team is skilled in every aspect of personal injury and wrongful death claims, as well as cases involving auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, and disability law.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation and let’s take this next step together.