Even with laws and regulations in place to keep people safe, unintentional injuries are still incredibly common. Some people are fortunate enough to survive car accidents and slip and falls, but others are not. If a member of your family has died through the negligence or intentional act of another, you may have grounds for a wrongful death claim.
In this article, I am going to highlight five questions that you should ask a wrongful death attorney before you enlist their legal services.
How Much Experience Do You Have?
The very first question that you need to ask the prospective attorney is the amount of experience they have in the field. Law is a very extensive field, and if you want to make sure that the best lawyer is working on your case, you need to ensure that they have worked in that particular practice area extensively. When a lawyer passes the bar, they can choose from a number of legal fields. Make sure you find a well-credentialed wrongful death attorney.
How Long Will the Case Take to Resolve?
One of the worst things about the legal system is how slow the process can be. If you don’t hire a good attorney, your case could take significantly longer due to procedural errors and poor strategy. A talented lawyer will know what to do (and what not to do) to avoid unnecessary disputes.
According to Verdict7, your case timeline is going to depend on its details. A good lawyer will be able to approximate the timeline after performing an investigation, but no attorney can guarantee a particular duration.
Should I Proceed with the Case?
One of the most important questions you need to ask your lawyer is whether you have a case or not. A lot of people think they have a chance of getting compensation when in fact they don’t have a solid case at all. A good lawyer will give you their two cents regarding the validity of your case. So before you decide to proceed pro se (if attorneys refuse to take the case), you should consider the merits of your case first.
Who Is Going to Work on My Case?
Wrongful death cases can get very complicated at times, and they require a full team to make sure you have the best chances of winning. An established attorney can provide you with expert witnesses and the resources needed to prevail. Before you sign any contract, you should find out who exactly will be the attorney in charge of your case, and ask to interview them.
How Much Is It Going to Cost?
Last but not least, a very important question that is going to play a huge part in your decision is how much it is going to cost you. According to the San Diego wrongful death attorneys at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers Inc, legal issues can take some time, but fortunately, most wrongful death lawyers charge on a contingency fee basis. You will only pay money if you win. You should still find out the percentage that the law firm will take out of the financial award.