Do you want to know how to find a wrongful death lawyer in California? If so, you need to scrutinize the attorney’s qualifications and successes in your local area. Doing so will give you the details needed to make an informed and reasonable decision.
So, how do you find a California wrongful death lawyer who you can retain as your legal representative and advocate?
How to Find a Wrongful Death Lawyer Who Stands Out from the Rest
To learn how to find a wrongful death lawyer, you need to do some due diligence. Therefore, you need to ask the right questions and seek a lawyer who specializes in legal activity. While all lawyers share the same skills with respect to research and investigation, they still devote themselves to certain specialties.
Although a personal injury attorney or California wrongful death lawyer may understand this area of the law, they may not have enough experience to handle a divorce. Also, an attorney who handles business cases is not your best choice for overseeing a wrongful death lawsuit.
Therefore, it is important to narrow down your choices to legal specialists who handle personal injury and wrongful death. Better yet, determine their record in handling wrongful death cases first.
Call the Lawyer for a Free Consultation
While you can scour the web for wrongful death attorneys, you still need to meet the lawyer personally for a consultation. Don’t worry about paying for this initial meeting, as most wrongful death lawyers offer a free review of your case.
This in-person meeting allows you to ask specific questions about the lawyer’s specializations, his or her past successes, and level of experience. It also gives an attorney the opportunity to see if he or she can help you.
Scrutinize the Lawyer’s Level of Experience
One of the important factors used in choosing a California wrongful death lawyer is their level of experience. Experience is based on the number of wrongful death cases the lawyer has pursued and won. The better the past outcomes, the easier it will be for your lawyer to represent you in court, even if you are presenting a unique case. Place experience before education, as you need a hands-on attorney – someone who knows how to win cases.
Ask the Right Questions
To begin your search, read an attorney’s bio. When you meet with the attorney, make the following inquiries:
How do I file a lawsuit in California?
Asking this question is where the law can get complex. While the filing of a wrongful death claim is usually based on the time elapsed from the decedent’s death, the claim also involves the notification process.
For example, the law in California states that a medical malpractice claim must be initiated one year from the date the plaintiff became aware of their injury, or 3 years from the date of the mishap, whichever occurs first. Also, any claim against a healthcare provider must include the issuance of a 90-day written notice before a filing is made.
A wrongful death lawyer with the necessary experience already knows these subtleties in the law and will be able to help you successfully file your claim. Ask him or her about the specifics of filing to make sure you are both on track.
He or she may also tell you about potential issues related to your lawsuit. For example, according to the legal resources site, HG.org, medical negligence can lead to wrongful death due to a misdiagnosis. The defendant, in these cases, may state that environmental influences, such as overly long hours or an understaffed facility, led to the medical problem and resulting death.
Therefore, your attorney must have the experience needed to help you see what factors may become hurdles you will need to overcome. His or her experience and dedication will influence your case’s outcome.
Who will manage my lawsuit?
In larger legal firms, the case may be delegated to a younger attorney. Therefore, make sure you know who, exactly, will be handling your case. If another lawyer is handling your lawsuit, you need to discuss your case with them before you decide to go forward.
In some firms, duties are delegated to various staff members. While a wrongful death lawyer will represent you, another attorney may file the preliminary motions. A paralegal may be asked to prepare the documents.
What is your current caseload?
While an experienced wrongful death lawyer usually handles more than one case at a time, you also want to make sure he or she is not overburdened in this regard. Otherwise, they cannot allocate the time to properly manage your lawsuit.
Call a Wrongful Death Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today
The time to act is now if you have a wrongful death lawsuit you need to file. Contact a wrongful death lawyer so you can begin the process right away.