Birmingham Wrongful Death Lawyer

The loss of a loved one can be the most challenging event in one’s life. It can be even more challenging if the death was a result of a person’s negligent actions. You do not have to accept this outcome. If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, you need the help of Annesley DeGaris at DeGaris Law to serve as your Birmingham wrongful death lawyer.

With over thirty years of experience working with clients in their time of need, DeGaris Law is here to serve victims with compassion and care in one of the most difficult chapters a person can go through.

If you believe you’ve lost a loved one because of a wrongful cause, call us at 205-575-8000, or book a free no-obligation case review online.

What a Birmingham Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Do For You

The best Birmingham wrongful death lawyers, like those at DeGaris Law, will provide you with the legal support you need so that you can focus on healing and finding the new normal after losing someone close to you. At DeGaris Law, we can help recover damages for your losses,

including:

• Loss of income for future wages the deceased would have made – If the victim was a breadwinner for the family, the case can pay for what they would’ve made had they survived.
• Medical care costs – After a loved one has passed, medical bills can haunt victims’ families for months or even years after the loss. In the event of a wrongful death, you might be entitled to compensation to cover those costs because of their negligence.
• Pain and suffering of the deceased – Often, your Birmingham wrongful death lawyer can seek damages to cover the pain and suffering the deceased victim experienced before their passing.
• Funeral expenses – Grieving a loss to you or your family and planning a funeral is difficult enough without having to figure out how to pay for it. In a wrongful death case, you could be entitled to compensation to cover all of the funeral or memorial service costs.

What You Need To Know About Alabama Wrongful Death Cases

Navigating the uncertain waters of losing a loved one is hard enough on its own. The law in these areas can become complex and difficult, especially if the case is against a company or organization. At DeGaris Law, our Birmingham accident lawyers have you covered with some of the most important details to keep in mind as you explore a case during this difficult time.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?

Not just anyone can file a wrongful death claim. In Alabama, who can file a lawsuit and what amount of money can be collected is dedicated by state law.

There’s also an important differentiation in how the law views those who have died (referred to as “the decedent”) based on their age.

• Adult decedents. In Alabama, only the “executor” can file a wrongful death claim.
• Minor decedents. Defined as under the age of 19 in Alabama, the decedent’s mother or father has six months from the date of the minor’s death to file a wrongful death suit.

Meeting with a Birmingham wrongful death lawyer can help you determine the specifics of your case to determine the compensation owed.

If someone is wrongfully killed, only the surviving heirs and beneficiaries can file a lawsuit against the party responsible for the death.

When Should I File a Claim?

Wrongful death claims must be filed within the statute of limitations in order to have a case. Alabama’s law requires the surviving heirs or beneficiaries to file the claim within two years of the loved one’s death according to AL Code § 6-2-38 .

If you don’t file in time you can forfeit your rights to recover damages. Don’t delay filing your claim!

The Alabama courts and legal services also have information about wrongful death claims.

Common Causes Of Wrongful Death

Under Alabama law, “wrongful death” is defined as one that is caused by “a wrongful act, omission, or negligence” (Alabama Code §§ 6-5-410 (2023)). The most common cases we encounter at DeGaris Law includes:

• Vehicle accidents. Motor Vehicle accidents are the leading cause of all wrongful death claims. These accidents can occur on any road or high and arise from many situations, such as drunk driving, drowsy driving, distraction, reckless driving, or driver inexperience.  They can involve commercial vehicles, non-motorists (such as bicyclists and pedestrians), or motorcycles.
• Medical malpractice. While not every bad outcome is the result of medical malpractice, mistakes such as misdiagnosis, surgical errors, and birth injuries are, unfortunately, very common.
• Workplace accidents. While most accidents on the job are minor, in some rare cases, they can be fatal. Fatal workplace accidents are extremely common in industries such as construction, manufacturer, and transportation.

If your loved one suffered a premature death due to an avoidable accident, you may be able to get compensation for your loss.

A Birmingham wrongful death lawyer like the team at DeGaris can help you determine the cause of the accident and the best path forward to a victory against negligent third parties.

Get a Free Consultation From a Birmingham Wrongful Death Lawyer at DeGaris Law

If you have lost a loved one in a preventable accident, you are not alone.

Contact a DeGaris Law Birmingham personal injury lawyer today for a free no-obligation case review and consultation regarding your legal rights at 205-575-8000, or schedule your appointment online today.