Wrongful death occurs when someone dies due to a person or entity’s negligent actions. If you lost a loved one to another’s negligence, you deserve justice for your losses. A wrongful death claim may be an option, depending on the circumstances of your case.
An Alexandria wrongful death attorney with the Morris Bart law firm can provide critical legal guidance during this difficult time. Our compassionate attorneys can arrange a no-obligation consultation to help you understand your legal rights and options.
Seeking Damages for a Wrongful Death in Alexandria, AL
A named personal representative or executor in the deceased’s will can pursue compensatory damages on behalf of the deceased individual’s estate. If there is no named representative, the court may appoint someone to represent the estate of your deceased loved one.
Compensatory Damages
Although other states permit family members to seek compensatory damages following a loved one’s wrongful death, Alabama does not. Unfortunately, medical costs, burial expenses, or other compensation cannot be pursued under the law. You are not without recourse, however. Alabama law does allow for punitive damages.
Punitive Damages
Alabama’s wrongful death laws can be challenging for those seeking relief from the financial burdens of a loved one’s death. While you cannot seek compensatory damages if you are not a designated representative, family members could seek punitive damages against the responsible party.
Whether you are a designated personal representative or family member, an Alexandria wrongful death attorney from the Morris Bart law firm can help you seek justice and compensation for your loved one and their estate.
For a free legal consultation with a Wrongful Death lawyer serving Alexandria, call 800-537-8185
A Skilled Alexandria Wrongful Death Attorney Can Assist With Your Claim
Following the untimely death of someone you love, you need time and space to grieve. At the Morris Bart law firm, we can reduce the legal burden and help you navigate complex Alabama wrongful death laws.
If we take your case, we can:
- Identify the personal representative, executor, or family members eligible to pursue the claim.
- Establish the at-fault party’s negligence using documents and other evidence.
- Determine which damages you can pursue based on the decedent’s will and your relationship.
- File a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party on behalf of the personal representative or eligible family members.
- Handle all correspondence, phone calls, and legal filings related to the wrongful death claim.
We offer free consultations to clients coping with wrongful death. A compassionate injury lawyer will hear your story and examine the available evidence to determine whether you have sufficient grounds to sue under Alabama law.
Deadlines to File an Alexandria Wrongful Death Suit
Per Ala.L Code § 6-2-38, you have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party. This time can pass quickly when you are coping with losing a loved one. It is, therefore, in your interest to contact a wrongful death lawyer in Alexandria as soon as possible.
Our attorneys understand how quickly time can pass while you cope with losing your loved one. Let us begin working on your case while you take the time to grieve. We immediately start compiling the documentation and preparing for trial, so you can rest assured you will not miss critical legal deadlines.
Wrongful Death Cases We Can Handle in Alexandria, AL
At the Morris Bart law firm, we understand the unexpected nature of wrongful death claims. We can help you with wrongful death claims arising from many situations, including:
Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are a common cause of injury and death in Alabama. According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama rates third in the U.S. for car accident fatalities.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most car accidents occur because of driver error, such as distracted driving, speeding, or impaired driving. If your loved one passed away in a car accident because of another’s negligence, we could help you pursue justice through a wrongful death claim.
Premises Liability
Property owners, lessees, and managers must maintain safe premises for individuals on the premises. The property owner or manager could be liable if your loved one passed away due to a dangerous condition on their property.
Our skilled premises liability attorneys can gather evidence to prove fault and support your wrongful death claim against a negligent landlord, lessee, or manager.
Medical Malpractice
Medical errors cause more than 10 percent of all deaths in the U.S., according to a recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine. This makes medical errors one of the top causes of death in the country. Fatal medical errors may stem from medication errors, misdiagnosis, incorrect treatment, and other mistakes by healthcare providers.
No matter the cause, we have the knowledge and resources to investigate your loved one’s death and help you seek closure. Contact the Morris Bart law firm for more information about the causes of wrongful death.
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Determining Liability in an Alabama Wrongful Death Case
Proving negligence in an Alabama wrongful death case may require extensive investigation and substantial evidence. We take the following steps to establish negligence in an Alexandria wrongful death claim:
Establishing a Duty of Care
To prove negligence, we must establish whether the other party had a duty of care to the deceased. A duty of care is a person or organization’s responsibility to ensure another’s health, safety, or well-being. The duty of care owed by a person or entity differs depending on their relationship to the deceased person.
For instance, a medical doctor has a duty to treat patients in a manner consistent with the standards of his medical field. A property owner has a duty to repair, remove, or warn of known dangers.
Proving Violation of the Duty of Care
If the responsible party did not meet their duty of care, whether as a vehicle driver, medical practitioner, or property owner, they could be held liable for the death caused by their negligent actions.
Demonstrating Causation
Finally, we must show that your loved one’s demise directly resulted from the responsible party’s failure in their duty of care.
We will compile evidence such as medical records, videos, photos, witness statements, and expert testimony to prove that the at-fault party violated their duty of care and directly caused your loved one’s death.
Schedule a Consultation With an Alexandria Wrongful Death Attorney Today
You have our heartfelt condolence if you lost a loved one to someone else’s wrongful actions. The Morris Bart law firm firmly believes in holding responsible parties accountable for the untimely death of a loved one. Contact us today for a free consultation with an Alexandria wrongful death lawyer.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
