Southfield Wrongful Death Lawyer

There is no easy or proper way to deal with the overwhelming pain of losing a loved one. The loss is even more devastating when your loved one encounters an untimely death. It can be difficult for you and your family to deal with the financial and legal practicalities when your loved one’s death results from someone else’s negligence. At Goodman Acker, our compassionate and professional wrongful death attorneys in Southfield will help you with your case if your loved one dies in a wrongful death.

We understand that a wrongful death claim is the last thing you want to deal with while grieving. While a wrongful death claim will not bring your loved one back, it can help hold the liable parties accountable. If you have lost a loved one due to wrongful death, it is advisable to consult a compassionate Southfield wrongful death lawyer.

At Goodman Acker, we have decades of experience working on similar cases and are committed to fighting for our clients’ rights. We understand the seriousness of your case and will do everything we can to ensure you recover maximum compensation and get justice for your loved one.

Defining Wrongful Death

Not all untimely deaths are necessarily wrongful deaths. In Michigan, the definition of “wrongful death” is outlined as any death where an individual dies due to another person’s fault or negligence. A wrongful death lawsuit has similar rules to a personal injury lawsuit, which would have applied had the decedent survived the accident.

Death can be intentional or accidental. When your loved one dies due to wrongful death, the state allows you to file a claim against the at-fault party. You can bring a wrongful death case against any legal entity, business, or individual responsible for your loved one’s death. For the best results, consider working with a reputable lawyer.

It would be best to contact wrongful death lawyers in Southfield to establish whether you have a wrongful death case. At Goodman Acker, we offer free initial consultation services. Our skilled lawyers will analyze and review your case to help you determine the best course of action.

Family Members Who Qualify to Bring a Wrongful Death Claim in Michigan

Per Section 600.2922 of Michigan’s legislature, the decedent’s family can file a wrongful death lawsuit. You could file a wrongful death claim if the at-fault party’s negligence caused your loved one’s death. According to the Michigan Wrongful Death Act, only specific family members can recover compensation in a wrongful death case. These include:

• The decedent’s spouse
• The decedent’s children
• Parents of the decedent
• The decedent’s siblings.

Surviving family members named in the decedent’s will may also be eligible to receive compensation in a wrongful death claim.

Before filing a wrongful death claim, you must be appointed as the decedent’s estate’s personal representative. The family usually decides whom to appoint for this position. The appointed member will work closely with the attorney and represent all family members’ interests during the case.

The Value of Your Southfield Wrongful Death Claim

There is no standard compensation that victims of wrongful death cases receive. Each wrongful death case is different, and several factors may influence how much your wrongful death claim is worth.

You must have evidence proving that the at-fault party’s negligence directly caused your loved one’s death. The grounds for filing a wrongful death claim include the following:

• The defendant drove negligently, resulting in a fatal car accident that caused your loved one’s death.
• Product liability cases such as a defective vehicle part causing a fatal accident.
• Intentional acts like crime.
• A patient dying as a result of medical malpractice.

A skilled Southfield wrongful death attorney can help you establish how much your claim is worth based on the facts surrounding your loved one’s death. Call us at (248) 286-8100 and let our wrongful death attorneys review your case for free.

Compensation After the Wrongful Death of a Loved One

The compensation you receive in a wrongful death claim is primarily influenced by the facts surrounding your loved one’s death. Typically, compensation will cover all medical bills and hospital expenses related to the accident.

Working with our compassionate wrongful death lawyers in Southfield ensures you receive maximum compensation for your loss. Here are the forms of compensation you can expect to recover from a loved one’s wrongful death.

Economic Damages

You can receive economic damages in a wrongful death claim depending on the unique circumstances and facts surrounding your case. Economic damages are intended to compensate the family for the financial losses they suffer due to their loved one’s death. These include:

• Loss of future earnings
• Loss of financial support
• Medical expenses
• Funeral and burial expenses.

Non-economic Damages

Non-economic damages cover non-monetary losses suffered by each family member due to their loved one’s death. These damages include:

• Loss of consortium
• Loss of emotional and moral support
• Loss of companionship.

These damages may also include the decedent’s pain and suffering between the time of the accident and their death.

The Process of Filing a Wrongful Death Claim in Michigan

Before filing a wrongful death claim in Southfield, MI, it is best to consult skilled wrongful death lawyers in Southfield to establish whether you have a case. Our Goodman Acker attorneys will review the facts of your case to determine if your death claim is valid. Filing a wrongful death lawsuit starts when the Oakland County Probate Court appoints a personal representative of the decedent’s estate.

Michigan law demands that a personal representative of the decedent’s estate file a wrongful death claim. Once they file a claim, they must alert the decedent’s surviving family members within 30 days. The Michigan Wrongful Death Act outlines the requirements and details of filing these cases. These include:

• Family members who are eligible to file a wrongful death claim.
• Legal steps to alert family members that a claim has been filed and their legal rights in the case.
• The forms of compensation they can seek and receive.
• The legal steps and requirements to file a wrongful death case and those of settling a case.
• Steps for sharing the settlement among the decedent’s surviving family members.

This process is typically conducted through the probate court in the last county where the decedent resided. Whatever the circumstances, our well-informed wrongful death attorneys near Southfield can help you and your family understand your legal standing before you start the process of filing your wrongful death claim.

With legal representation on your side, filing a wrongful death claim in Michigan is straightforward. All you have to do is schedule an initial meeting with our reputable wrongful death lawyers and provide us with the evidence of death during the meeting. Once we analyze the case and establish that you have a solid claim, we will help you pursue and obtain justice for your loved one’s untimely death.

When you contact Goodman Acker to help you with your wrongful death case, we will take care of the probate process from the beginning to the end.

Timeline of a Wrongful Death Case

Each wrongful death case is different, so multiple factors may influence how long your case takes. For instance, medical malpractice cases tend to be longer than auto accident cases. Similarly, some cases may go to trial while others may not. Wrongful death cases with more straightforward issues and facts will take less time than those with complex problems.

The specific facts surrounding your case and whether you reach a settlement or go to trial will determine how long your case takes. It is best to hire a Goodman Acker wrongful death attorney to help with your Southfield wrongful death case. Our legal team knows the law and will quickly establish the best way to navigate your case. Working with our skilled attorneys ensures your case runs as smoothly as possible.

Loved Ones Have Limited Time to Act

If you intend to obtain justice for your loved one and receive compensation for their wrongful death, you must file your claim within the statute of limitations. In Michigan, the time limit for filing a wrongful death claim varies depending on the type of case. Different cases have different statutes of limitations. For instance, cases involving car accidents have a three-year time limit.

A nursing home negligence or medical malpractice lawsuit generally has a two-year time limit, but depending on the circumstances, you may have up to five years to file your lawsuit. You have a three-year time limit from the date of the incident to file most negligence-related cases and a two-year time limit to file for deaths caused by intentional acts.

We understand that grief can be debilitating but filing your wrongful death claim within the statute of limitations is vital. Failure to file your lawsuit within the time limit will bar you from receiving damages and obtaining justice for your loved one.

It is best to consult a Southfield wrongful death attorney as soon as possible to begin the claims process. At Goodman Acker, our legal team is available 24/7 to ensure your wrongful death claim is filed on time.

Why You Need a Southfield Wrongful Death Lawyer

Losing a loved one can be heartbreaking and take a toll on your family. Processing grief while pursuing justice for your loved one’s wrongful death can be overwhelming, so it is best to work with a skilled attorney. Goodman Acker’s wrongful death lawyers are qualified and will offer you sound legal counsel, making the process of navigating your claim more straightforward. We have years of experience working on similar cases, successfully representing other victims, and ensuring they receive maximum compensation.

You do not have to do this alone. Let our compassionate wrongful death lawyers in Southfield help you navigate this intricate process, so you have time to be with and grieve with your family. Here is why you need a Southfield wrongful death attorney to help you with your claim:

• Investigate your claim: Our skilled lawyers are well-versed in wrongful death laws and can quickly establish the at-fault party. We will analyze all the evidence from your loved one’s death and determine the primary cause of their death. We will use the evidence to prove the at-fault party’s negligence and ensure they pay you maximum compensation.
• Handle negotiations and communication with the other side: We have years of experience negotiating with different insurance companies. We will negotiate on your behalf and advise on whether the offered settlement is sufficient compensation for your family’s losses.
• Explain your rights: After analyzing your case, our wrongful death attorneys will explain your legal rights and advise you on the best legal course to pursue. We will also answer any questions regarding the wrongful death claims process.
• Go over your legal options: We will discuss and explain your options once we review the facts of your case. We will also handle everything related to your case, so you have time to grieve with your family.
• Calculate the full value of your claim: While there is no standard compensation for wrongful death claims, Goodman Acker can help you calculate how much your claim is worth. We will assess all the damages you are entitled to and fight to ensure you receive maximum compensation during negotiations.

Choose Goodman Acker: Here’s Why

Wrongful deaths are painful, especially since they are so sudden. If you have lost a loved one in a wrongful death, let Goodman Acker help you obtain justice and compensation. We have worked on different wrongful death cases and successfully represented our clients. Here’s why Southfield residents choose to work with Goodman Acker:

• Years of experience working for you: We have over seven decades of experience successfully representing victims and ensuring they receive full compensation. Our law firm has worked on different cases and is well acquainted with the law. Our reputation and legacy depend on our success and experience, which is why we offer a client’s-based representation, resulting in strong testimonials. We are committed to fighting to ensure you obtain justice and maximum compensation.
• 99% success rate: We have a proven track record of successfully representing our clients. Goodman Acker is a reputable law firm, and we have recovered millions for our clients. We are committed to getting our clients maximum compensation to ensure they do not strain financially due to the losses and damages they have suffered.
• We offer free initial consultations: We offer our clients a free initial consultation. We will analyze and review your case during the consultation to establish if you have a case, inform you about your options, and help you establish the best course of action to take. We will only charge you a fee for our services once we have won your case.
• We are available 24/7: Goodman Acker offers our clients a 24/7 service. We are available for all your emergencies, so you can call us at (248) 286-8100 during the day or night. Let us go over your case and help you file your claim on time, following the proper legal procedures.
• Skilled, tenacious, and compassionate lawyers: Goodman Acker’s attorneys understand your tough situation. That is why we take care of everything on your behalf and give you as much privacy as possible. We have years of experience working on different cases and understand how emotionally and mentally tasking pursuing justice and compensation can be for you and your family. While we cannot alleviate your pain, we can fight for your rights to ensure you receive maximum financial compensation.
• We are committed to offering the best service: Our quality of representation and standard of excellence is noted by our peers and clients. The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, AV Martindale –Hubbell, and Super Lawyers have consistently recognized us as the best personal injury lawyers. We continue to work diligently to ensure we offer our clients the best service possible.
• Reputable legal services you can trust: Goodman Acker is a reputable law firm. Apart from our successes, we are regularly featured on the news. We know how accidents can significantly impact your life and your family. That is why we are committed to getting you results.

Talk to a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Southfield Now

Losing your loved one is tough, especially when you lose them in a sudden death caused by someone else’s negligence. It can be challenging to juggle grieving with family and pursuing justice for your loved one.

Goodman Acker ensures you do not have to go through this alone. We will oversee everything while giving you the privacy you deserve, so you can focus on mourning with your family.

A wrongful death claim cannot replace or bring back your loved one, but it can help obtain justice. It may also help prevent other families from suffering a similar fate as you and your family. We will fight on your behalf to ensure you receive maximum financial compensation, which you can use to cover any medical bills, burial, and funeral expenses.

If your loved one dies in a wrongful death, our Southfield personal injury lawyers can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact us today at (248) 286-8100 to schedule a free initial consultation.

Goodman Acker P.C. – Southfield Office Location

17000 W 10 Mile Rd 2nd Floor
Southfield, MI 48075
(248) 831-1507

LEGALLY REVIEWED BY BARRY J. GOODMAN

Barry J. Goodman has devoted his professional life to keeping courthouse doors open for victims seeking justice. Always a tireless advocate for his own clients, Goodman sees his responsibility as a Detroit personal injury attorney in a broader sense as well. [ Attorney Bio ]