Wrongful Death Attorney

Why do I need a wrongful death attorney?

After an accident with injuries, emotions will be running high. The initial shock and adrenaline rush make it very hard to think. In a wrongful death, emotional trauma can make pursuing a case seem difficult. A trained and experienced legal team will make the proceedings go far smoother. Having a wrongful death lawyer to fight for you in court will make this fight far less stressful for you and your family.

The most important thing to remember is that you must remain calm and focused. The human need for revenge is strong. Wrongful death claims are civil matters once they reach court. The evidence must do all the talking. Your lawyer should have the focus to gather that evidence. They should present it in a fashion that proves negligence by the other party. It will be up to them to express how this incident has affected you in a court of law.

Each section of this website has information on the various types of law we practice. These sections will have valuable information on what kind of evidence we will need and how we use it. The Law Offices of L. Clayton Burgess have over 20 years experience in dealing with a wide range of cases.

Factors that our legal team will review include:

1- Did the victim’s death result from the negligence of the defendant?
2- Is this defendant negligent or strictly liable for this death?
3- Does the victim have surviving family members or dependents?
4- Did this death result in financial damages?

Damages

In a wrongful death claim, damages are economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are easy enough to understand. They are direct financial impacts on your life. Non-economic damages may not have an immediate financial impact. But they may be worth even more to you than plain dollars and cents. Economic damages include:

1- Funeral and burial expenses
2- Medical expenses
3- Lost wages and benefits
4- Value of lost household services
5- Property

Non-economic damages include:

1- Surviving family member’s pain and suffering/mental anguish
2- Expenses for grief counseling
3- Loss of the love and companionship of the deceased
4- Loss of consortium from a deceased spouse

These non-economic damages are often the ones that cut us the deepest. As such, your wrongful death attorney in Louisiana will stop at nothing to get the job done for you. Additionally, punitive damages may be awarded in the case of negligent actions. Such damages are a form of punishment for the defendant. Some companies and corporations have deep pockets. It is important to have a legal team willing to go the extra mile to dig deep into those pockets for retribution.

Time limits

Another important factor for your consideration in a wrongful death claim is time. The statute of limitations for a wrongful death in Louisiana is only one year. After the passing of a loved one, it may be very hard to pursue a claim. Mental anguish and grief cloud our judgment. A lengthy courtroom battle may be the last thing you want to think about.

The longer that the claim is put off, the more likely it is that the claim will be pushed back. Sometimes beyond the statute of limitations. While it may be difficult to do, seek legal advice as soon as possible after a wrongful death. The evidence gathering process will occur immediately after the incident. It is important to gather that evidence as soon as possible.

The process of dealing with the death of a loved one is tiring, difficult, and painful. Dealing with a wrongful death claim does not have to be. Grief is one of the most powerful human emotions. It warps our thoughts and skews our priorities. Priority one must always be your family. Ensuring your family is cared for emotionally and financially may be more difficult. But not impossible.

Lafayette wrongful death attorneys at The Law Offices of L. Clayton Burgess can help you to ensure that level of financial care. Our office operates by only receiving compensation upon victory. We do not tolerate losing because you will not tolerate losing. Our locally-based, locally-focused team has the tools to get the job done. Should a loved one pass through no fault of their own, let us win for you.

Losing someone close can leave a permanent void. While taking a legal step against the liable person may not be the priority of the survivors of the deceased, it is, however, essential to consider for the future wellbeing. If you are facing considerable financial challenges due to the wrongful death of the earning member of the family, don’t wait any longer to get in touch with our wrongful death lawyer in Lafayette. Our attorneys have a long history of recovering maximum compensation to help the surviving family members get back on their feet.