Losing a loved one is always tough, but it can be even more devastating if it was an accident caused by someone’s negligence.
It’s usually not recommended to handle your own wrongful death case because you’re upset and probably aren’t experienced with the lawsuit process. It’s often a better idea to hire the best wrongful death attorney to represent you.
Below are some good reasons to hire an attorney.
First, a wrongful death lawyer understands how the legal process goes. The attorney will have a lot of experience with the Oregon wrongful death statute. This ensures that the attorney knows all of the paperwork requirements and that all deadlines will be met.
It’s important that these legal deadlines are met so that your case can proceed.
Second, the best wrongful death attorney can save you a lot of time and money. The wrongful death legal process takes months, even when an experienced legal professional handles the entire thing.
If you have a lawyer handling the case, you can focus on your mental and emotional well-being. You’ve just had one heck of a shock and you will need time to process it and heal.
Next, your attorney knows what the case is worth. For example, your attorney will have access to cases similar to yours in Oregon and will know about what you should receive for medical costs, funeral expenses, loss of wages now and in the future, and pain and suffering.
Fourth, your attorney can give you the support you need in a traumatic time. The best wrongful death attorney will be compassionate and empathetic and what you are going through. Attorneys in the wrongful death field deal with these situations all the time and often are very supportive and understanding to their clients.
Fifth, your lawyer can negotiate aggressively with the insurance company and can threaten to take them to court if necessary.
It is important that you choose a wrongful death lawyer with a good reputation and record going to trial. Stingy insurance companies tend to become more generous when they know they are going up against an effective and aggressive trial lawyer.
Insurance companies know that the jury may take a dim view of an insurer trying to bilk the grieving family of money they deserve. They could wind up paying more than they would in a settlement, so the insurance company may decide to make a better offer.
Remember that wrongful death lawsuits are complicated and you aren’t in your best frame of mind after the tragic loss of a family member. So, you should strongly consider having an attorney handle your wrongful death claim so you can focus on yourself and your remaining family.
