Alabama Wrongful Death Lawyer
Get the compassionate legal representation and guidance that you deserve after a wrongful death.
The untimely loss of a loved one takes a toll on the family members left behind. We understand that nothing can replace their life. We are also prepared to seek the highest level of justice to hold the negligent parties fully accountable for their actions in the hopes of preventing a similar tragedy from happening to someone else. Please protect your best interests by contacting an experienced personal injury attorney who is highly skilled at maneuvering through the complexities of an Alabama wrongful death claim. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about your legal options.
How Do Alabama Wrongful Death Claims Differ from Other States?
In the state of Alabama, a wrongful death is defined as any fatality caused by an intentional and wrongful act of omission or negligence, such as dangerous drugs, reckless driving, or slip and fall accidents.
The complexities of filing a wrongful death lawsuit in Alabama can be confusing and may lead to a loss of compensation if not properly handled. That is why it is important to contact our experienced Alabama wrongful death lawyer Brian Plant. At Lerner and Rowe, our legal team has in-depth knowledge of this process and will walk you through each step to help secure full and fair compensation for the loss of a loved one.
Take a look at these different examples illustrating how Alabama wrongful death claims differ from other states:
- Evidence of a deceased’s pain and suffering is generally inadmissible in a wrongful death lawsuit in Alabama.
- Relatives of a deceased person are not entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim on their own behalf or on behalf of the decedent.
- Only the personal representative of the deceased can initiate a wrongful death claim in Alabama.
- Alabama provides only for punitive damages and not for compensatory damages like those awarded in other states.
- Punitive damages are not made a part of the estate of the deceased and are only paid to the heirs of the deceased.
What Are Punitive Damages?
Punitive damages are assessed by a court as a means to punish the defendant for outrageous misconduct. Additionally, they are used to deter others from engaging in similar harmful actions in future. They differ from compensatory damages in that punitive damages do not assess actual losses experienced, such as loss of income, pain and suffering, funeral costs, and medical expenses.
We know that no amount of money can make up for the loss of a loved one. Any compensation awarded from these types of personal injury claims are essential, however, in helping offset the total economic impact of an untimely death. That is why our Alabama wrongful death lawyer will dedicate their time to presenting a solid argument to the court to maximize monetary compensation from the defendant for enacting deadly wrongful behavior, negligence, or gross omission.
Time Limits for Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Alabama
Under Alabama Code section 6-5-410, an estate representative with grounds for a wrongful death claim generally has up to two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Alabama unless the defendant is a government entity, or if there are extenuating circumstances. The two-year limit starts counting down on the date the death occurred.
In other instances, the statute of limitation to file an Alabama wrongful death lawsuit against a city or county may be as short as six months. This time limit must also take into account that before a plaintiff can even file a wrongful death claim against an Alabama city or county entity they must FIRST file a “notice of claim” to the defendant.
These variances are what makes it essential to contact a personal injury lawyer knowledgeable about Alabama laws as soon as possible.
How to Contact an Alabama Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me
Our Alabama wrongful death lawyer is as near to you as your phone, computer, or tablet. Contact us seven days a week, any hour of the day by calling 844-977-1900, using the LiveChat feature found on our website, or by submitting an online case review form. Your call, chat, or form submission are free and you pay no fees unless compensation is won on your behalf.
Don’t delay in getting the legal representation you deserve for filing a wrongful death lawsuit in Alabama!