If you lost a loved one in an accident caused by someone else, you and other family members could be experiencing devastating emotional pain.
If you relied on the victim’s income and assistance, you might also be experiencing profound financial uncertainty.
Pursuing a legal claim for wrongful death can be a highly effective way to get justice for the loss of your loved one and hold the at-fault party responsible for their wrongful actions.
If you are considering a legal claim, you likely have many questions about your rights and how the process works.
The wrongful death attorneys of the Fob James Law Firm can help you through this unthinkable experience and pursue the justice you deserve for your losses.
What Is Wrongful Death?
Wrongful death is typically defined as a fatality occurring due to another person or entity’s actions.
In most cases, the at-fault party acted with negligence or recklessness, but wrongful death can also arise from intentional actions, such as assault.
What Is a Wrongful Death Action?
When a wrongful death victim’s survivors legally pursue justice and financial compensation for their loss, we refer to this as a wrongful death action.
You can pursue resolution through an insurance claim and settlement or by filing a civil lawsuit in court.
No settlement or jury award can undo the harm you have suffered, but recovering compensation can provide the economic stability you need to survive.
However, Alabama’s wrongful death tort law provides you with the ability to hold the at-fault party accountable and make an example of them for their actions.
What Is the Average Wrongful Death Settlement in Birmingham?
The details of every case are unique to the victim and their family. This makes it virtually impossible to estimate the average amount of Birmingham wrongful death settlements.
Talking to an experienced personal injury attorney is the most effective way to determine what your case value might be.
What Can You Claim in a Wrongful Death Case?
Alabama’s wrongful death laws are unique in that claimants may not recover compensatory damages—only punitive damages.
In other words, you cannot recover compensation for any actual damages you suffered, such as funeral expenses, lost financial support, pain and suffering, etc.
You can, however, pursue legal action to hold the at-fault party responsible for their wrongful acts.
Financial awards in this type of claim are known as punitive damages. Punitive damages serve to punish the at-fault party and hold their wrongful actions up as an example for others.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Wrongful Death?
Although victims can lose their lives in any type of accident, these are some of the most common causes of wrongful death in Alabama.
- Car accidents,
- Motorcycle accidents,
- Truck accidents,
- Defective product failures,
- Slip and fall accidents,
- Criminal assault,
- Nursing home abuse, and
- Medical malpractice.
No matter what type of accident claimed the life of your loved one, talking to an experienced attorney can help you make the right choices for your future.
Talk to a Birmingham, AL Wrongful Death Attorney Now
The experienced wrongful death lawyers of the Fob James Law Firm understand what you’re going through. We work tirelessly to help protect your legal rights and get you the compensation you deserve. Call us at 205-407-6009 or contact us online now to learn more or to talk to a Birmingham wrongful death lawyer now.
Fob James
Fob James obtained a B.S., in software engineering from Auburn University and then continued his education by getting his J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law. After working for a large regional firm for several years where he obtained awards for both individual and corporate clients, Fob found that his passion was fighting for individuals who have been seriously injured or wronged by others. Fob believes that the jury is the great equalizer to the power and influence that large corporations have in society.