Arizona Wrongful Death Attorney

Losing someone you love is never easy, especially when the death could have been prevented. When a person’s life is cut short due to someone else’s careless or negligent actions, grief is often accompanied by anger and a need for justice. You deserve answers, and you have the right to hold the responsible party accountable.

At RamRock Injury Lawyers, we help families fight for accountability after tragic and avoidable losses. While no legal outcome can make up for what you’ve lost, pursuing a wrongful death claim can help you find closure and financial relief during a painful time.

If you’re ready to take the next step, call 866-953-2330 to speak with an Arizona wrongful death attorney. We offer free consultations and are here to support you throughout the process.

Wrongful Death in Arizona

Pursuing legal action in a wrongful death case is not easy. To ensure you have a valid wrongful death case, you will need to prove that negligence is a significant contributing factor in the death of your loved one. However, proving negligence can be easier said than done. By enlisting the help of a wrongful death lawyer, you can get help gathering the right evidence you need. Here are some of the vital steps in putting together a valid wrongful death claim:

Finding the Right Lawyer

The wrongful death claims process essentially begins when you seek out the right lawyer and start building a strong case. The process of filing a wrongful death claim is similar to that of a personal injury claim. However, this kind of claim is filed on your loved one’s behalf, as filing that claim is likely what they would’ve done if they had survived their accident. Having a good lawyer on your side can make all the difference, allowing you to focus on grieving while they focus on keeping you from missing deadlines. At RamRock Injury Lawyers, we can guide you through each step of this process.

Identifying the Liable Party

In order to pursue a wrongful death claim, you must be able to identify the person responsible for causing your loved one’s death. It may not always be simple to know who caused your loved one’s accident. An investigation may be necessary to ensure you are pursuing legal action against the right people.

For example, if your loved one was killed in a car accident, you may want to file a wrongful death claim against the other driver. However, an investigation may prove that the accident was caused by a manufacturing error. That might mean the vehicle’s manufacturer is responsible for the accident. At RamRock Injury Lawyers, we can help you determine exactly who to pursue a case against.

Eligibility

Before you can pursue a legal claim for a wrongful death, you should make sure that you are eligible to make such a claim under Arizona state law. Only certain immediate family members can file a wrongful death claim, including:

• The surviving spouse of the deceased
• The surviving children, if there is no spouse
• The deceased’s parents can file a claim if there are no children or a spouse

If the surviving family wishes, a personal representative of the deceased’s estate can file the wrongful death claim on their behalf. Any family member who may have contributed to the wrongful death in some way may be disqualified from receiving any benefits from the legal claim.

Pre-Trial Process

Before your case heads to trial, it will go through the pre-trial process. A significant part of this process involves discovery, in which the legal representatives on both sides exchange information relevant to the case, including the evidence that will be presented during the trial. Often, the pre-trial process leads to settlement negotiations, which may allow you to avoid the courtroom entirely.

Settlement Negotiations

In lieu of a trial, you may be able to work out an agreement through settlement negotiations. During negotiations, your lawyer may present an offer to the other party’s lawyer. If an agreement is reached, the other party agrees to pay you a certain amount in a settlement offer. If they do not agree to pay the amount you are requesting, they may make a counteroffer or simply deny an offer outright. If no agreement is reached, your case may have to go to trial.

Trial

Wrongful death cases are heard in civil court, which means that prison time is not ordered through this kind of claim. Whether or not criminal charges are filed is an entirely separate matter. The primary focus in civil court is holding someone accountable and seeking financial damages from them. In court, your lawyer can present the evidence you have, prove negligence, and make an argument in front of a judge to win your case.

If you win your case, the settlement money will be distributed to the proper beneficiaries. If the court deems it necessary, you may even be awarded punitive damages.

Statute of Limitations

If you want to file a wrongful death claim, you have to make sure that your case adheres to the state of Arizona’s statute of limitations on personal injury claims, which includes wrongful death claims. Generally, you will have two years to put together your case, gather the right evidence, consult with an injury lawyer, and file a claim for damages.

Reach Out to a Wrongful Death Lawyer Today

Pursuing a wrongful death claim can be difficult on your own, especially if you are having trouble proving negligence. An experienced wrongful death lawyer can help you put your case together and make sure your interests are fully represented.

Our legal team at RamRock Injury Lawyers can assist you in handling the finer details of your case and ensure you are able to fight for what you and your family deserve. Reach out to us at 866-953-2330 to schedule a free consultation, or contact us through our online portal to speak to a team member about your case.