Grand Rapids Wrongful Death Lawyer
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After the sudden loss of a loved one, families may struggle to move forward with their lives, especially if the death was caused by the reckless or negligent act of another and could have been prevented. Michigan’s wrongful death law provides a means for families to hold negligent parties accountable and pursue compensation for financial, physical and emotional damages.
At Jay Trucks and Associates, we are prepared to discuss your legal options in a free consultation. There are no upfront charges if you decide to retain our services. We only collect payment if we achieve a successful recovery.
Our reputable Grand Rapids wrongful death lawyers have been representing the families of Michigan victims for over 30 years and recovered hundreds of millions in damages for our clients. These results include $1 million recovered for the family of a female car accident victim and her unborn fetus. Jay Trucks, an attorney and our firm’s founder, is a member of the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association.
Contact a member of our legal team to get started today: Call Now 989-254-6113989-565-9047
What Is A Wrongful Death?
A wrongful death in Michigan is defined as one that is caused by another’s wrongful or negligent act. If your loved one had not died, he or she would have been able to pursue damages against the at-fault party.
Incidents involving a wrongful death could occur in any number of ways, such as:
- Motor vehicle crashes
- Boating accidents
- Truck collisions
- Accidents at work
- Deaths due to medical malpractice
- Constructions site accidents
- Defective products
- Motorcycle crashes
- Slip and fall accidents
Our qualified lawyers are available to help determine whether you may have a valid wrongful death claim. You can also learn more about what to expect during the legal process in a free consultation at no risk or obligation to you.
Jay Trucks and Associates. Free Consultation. Call Now 989-254-6113989-565-9047
Who May Be Eligible to File a Wrongful Death Claim?
In Michigan, a personal representative will be appointed by probate law, and he or she may then file a claim on behalf of the decedent’s estate.
Once the representative begins the legal process, he or she must notify all eligible claimants, which could include:
- Spouses
- Children
- Survivors of the deceased
- Parents
- Grandparents
- Siblings (brothers or sisters)
After claimants have been notified that a wrongful death lawsuit has been filed, they have 60 days to provide notice of any damages suffered due to the loss of their loved one. Failure to provide this information within the 60 days will result in the forfeiture of those damages, and they may not be included in any potential settlement award.
If there are no surviving family members, or there is no will, compensation for damages may pass to others who may be eligible as per the deceased’s estate under the laws of intestate succession.
Answers to your legal questions are a phone call away: Call Now 989-254-6113989-565-9047
What Compensation is Awarded For a Wrongful Death?
The legal team at Jay Trucks and Associates is dedicated to pursuing maximum compensation on behalf of our clients. There are many contributing factors we need to consider before we may be able to determine the full value of your claim. However, you may be eligible to receive compensation for:
- Related medical costs of the decedent
- Hospital bills
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Property damages
- The decedent’s pain and suffering before death
- The family’s pain and suffering due to the loss of their loved one
- Loss of financial support formerly provided by the deceased
- Loss of companionship
Any settlements awarded are used to directly pay for tangible, economic losses, such as final burial expenses and medical bills. The remaining damages are awarded according to the wishes defined in the decedent’s will.
Our Grand Rapids wrongful death lawyers are prepared to answer your legal questions and discuss your potential legal options. We are ready to fully investigate your claim and gather evidence to build a strong argument on your behalf.
How Can a Lawyer Benefit My Claim?
In a wrongful death claim, you must establish that your loved one’s death was caused by another’s negligence. Proving negligence involves a complicated legal theory that is best handled by an experienced attorney and contains these four components:
- Establishing the at-fault person owed your loved one a duty of care to prevent harm
- Proving the negligent individual breached his or her duty
- Establishing a link between your loved one’s death and the breached duty of care
- Showing that the injury your loved one sustained resulted in damages
Our Grand Rapids wrongful death attorneys have extensive knowledge of Michigan wrongful death laws and how to obtain evidence that can help to strengthen your claim.
Is There a Filing Deadline in Michigan?
Yes. In Michigan, the statute of limitations is typically three years from the date of death. If you miss that deadline and attempt to file a claim, the court will likely dismiss it and you will lose the opportunity to recover any damages.
Your attorney needs time to fully investigate and build a solid claim, so keep in mind that three years is not as long as it sounds. If you think you may have a valid case, we strongly recommend that you contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
There are some exceptions to this filing deadline that could require you to file significantly sooner. Our attorneys are prepared to determine what deadline may apply in your situation.
Contact a Grand Rapids Wrongful Death Attorney Today
We understand that compensation cannot change what happened. However, it can provide financial relief and help you to move forward with the grieving and recovery process.
At Jay Trucks and Associates, your initial consultation is free and comes at zero risk to you. If you have a case, you can be confident that it will be handled by a knowledgeable Grand Rapids wrongful death attorney. Our proven track record includes more than $500 million in compensation recovered for injured victims in Grand Rapids and throughout the state of Michigan. We are prepared to aggressively pursue maximum compensation for you.