Dedicated and Experienced Wrongful Death Attorney in Mobile, Alabama
Losing a loved one in a tragic, preventable accident is a devastating experience, and no amount of money can truly compensate you for your loss. But filing a wrongful death lawsuit can help you seek justice and give your family much-needed financial support during this trying time.
If you believe someone else was responsible for your loved one’s death, contact our Personal Injury Lawyers in Mobile, AL for a free consultation with a wrongful death lawyer in Mobile, AL. Our experienced, empathetic legal team will evaluate your case and guide you through the wrongful death lawsuit process.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Alabama
Wrongful death in Alabama can occur under many circumstances, including the following:
- Fatal Car Accidents
- Tractor Trailer Accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home negligence
- Defective products
- Fatal accidents on business premises
- Criminal activity
Depending on the accident, negligence, or malpractice that led to your loved one’s tragic death, a skilled wrongful death lawyer in Mobile, AL, can let you know whether you may be able to pursue a wrongful death settlement.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Alabama?
In Alabama, often only the decedent’s estate administrator can pursue a wrongful death action. This can be the person your loved one named in their will or someone the probate court appoints as the administrator.
Compensation Available to Families in Wrongful Death Cases
Unlike other states, where wrongful death settlements could include compensatory damages for the decedent’s lost wages, medical costs, and funeral expenses, Alabama gives bereaved families only one legal recourse: seeking punitive damage on behalf of the deceased person’s estate. By awarding punitive damages, courts aim to punish the wrongdoer and warn other potential offenders against committing similar acts.
According to Alabama’s intestacy laws, any punitive damages the court may award in a wrongful death case won’t go toward the estate but will pass directly to the decedent’s family members in accordance with Alabama law.
How Much May You Collect in a Wrongful Death Settlement?
It’s extremely difficult to estimate how much your wrongful death case may be worth. Courts in Alabama exercise wide discretion when awarding settlements and may consider factors like the seriousness of the transgression, the defendant’s degree of negligence, or any malicious conduct.
Establishing Fault in Wrongful Death Cases
Wrongful death lawsuits in Alabama are fault-based, meaning your case’s outcome will hinge on your ability to prove the potentially liable party was responsible for your loved one’s death.
For instance, if a speeding truck hit your family member’s car and the collision led to fatal injuries, the truck driver breached their duty by failing to observe traffic laws. If an investigation reveals the trucker’s blood alcohol content exceeded the legal limit, the court may award even greater punitive damages for this additional recklessness.
How Long Do You Have To File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Alabama?
In most cases, Alabama’s statute of limitations gives you two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Failing to take legal action within this timeframe usually means you forfeit your right to seek a settlement.
Sometimes, the statute of limitations can be even shorter such as when you sue a city or county government.
To protect your interests, we recommend contacting a wrongful death attorney as soon as possible in any wrongful death case.
How To Improve Your Chances of Winning a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Working with an experienced, competent attorney is one of the best way to improve your chances of winning a wrongful death lawsuit in Alabama. A lot of money is at stake in wrongful death cases, and the potentially liable party likely will take steps to avoid paying. You must level the field by hiring an assertive, skilled wrongful death lawyer in Mobile, AL.
A wrongful death attorney can:
- Assess your case and let you know who may be responsible for your loved one’s death
- Gather and present powerful evidence to support your lawsuit
- Handle the entire legal process and negotiate with the other side’s attorney
- Represent you in court if your case goes to trial
Our stellar legal team has won over $50 million in settlements in the past five years, including complex wrongful death cases. When you entrust your case to Jackson & Foster, you know you’ll have a reliable legal representative to advocate for your interests and help you fight for justice.
How Much Do Wrongful Death Attorneys Charge?
At Jackson & Foster, we charge no upfront fees in personal injury and wrongful death cases. You’ll only pay a contingency fee if and when you collect your wrongful death lawsuit payout.
Contact Jackson & Foster To Consult a Wrongful Death Attorney in Mobile, AL
Did you lose a loved one in a fatal accident? Do you believe someone else was responsible for your family member’s death? You may be able to seek a wrongful death settlement. Contact Jackson & Foster to consult a wrongful death lawyer in Mobile, AL, and learn more about your legal options.
Call 251-433-6699 or contact us to book a free, no-obligation consultation with our wrongful death law firm.
“I was driving through Mobile, AL on a long distance road trip when I was involved in a motor vehicle accident. The experience was horrible. The accident occurred halfway between my parents’ house in Texas and my home in Georgia.
I was referred to Jackson & Foster by a friend of mine and was able to obtain him as representation. They answered all of my questions (there were many) and made sure I understood the process of working with the different insurance companies. They kept me updated on the status of the case so I always knew where we were in the process. They made sure I understood that nothing was going to happen overnight and that these things take time.
Jackson & Foster made this horrible experience of mine a lot easier to navigate. I would definitely use them again and would refer them to anyone looking for somebody that is easy to work with and willing to work for you to make sure the outcome turns out in your favor.”
Thank you!
Laura A.
