The death of a loved one is always tragic. The difficulty of this type of loss is only amplified when it could have been avoided. If the negligence of another party led to the death of your loved one, you could be entitled to compensation. An experienced Hartford wrongful death attorney can help you recover the money you need and deserve.
At Claggett, Sykes & Garza, we know the challenges that those who have recently lost a loved one face. Our team of experienced Hartford medical malpractice lawyers will work tirelessly to ensure you recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation with a member of our legal team.
Wrongful Death Cases Almost Never Go to Trial
People often think they will have to go to trial in order to recover compensation following the death of a loved one. However, the truth is that the vast majority of wrongful death cases are resolved through out-of-court settlements. The reason for this is that it is typically in the best interest of all involved parties to take a settlement deal.
For the loved ones of the deceased, a settlement means securing compensation far earlier than they would if their case went to court. Meanwhile, the defendant benefits by avoiding any unwanted press coverage that may come with a trial. Additionally, both parties can maintain some control over the outcome instead of leaving their fate in the hands of an unpredictable jury.
Despite the fact that your case will likely not go to court, it is still important that you prepare for a trial. It is always possible that you will be unable to agree to terms for a settlement deal, making a courtroom battle necessary. Furthermore, by being ready and willing to go to court, you will gain leverage during settlement negotiations and likely increase the damages you recover.
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How an Experienced Wrongful Death Attorney in Hartford Can Help With Your Case
After the loss of a loved one, your attention should be focused on your family and dealing with your shared grief. Unfortunately, this can be challenging when you are involved in pursuing compensation from the liable party through an insurance claim or wrongful death lawsuit. That’s where an experienced wrongful death lawyer serving Hartford can step in to help.
When you hire an attorney to help get you the money you need, they will take over every aspect of your legal case, leaving you free to focus on rebuilding your life. One of the first things your lawyer will likely do in your case is to launch their own investigation into the accident that resulted in the death of your loved one.
Some of the likely steps in this process include:
- Traveling to the scene of the accident to note relevant details, take pictures, identify eyewitnesses, and review any available video footage
- Consulting expert witnesses
- Interviewing any eyewitness
- Reviewing the autopsy report and any other relevant medical records for the deceased
- Securing a copy of the official police report
Once this initial inquiry is complete, the next step your attorney will take will be to review the damages in the case to determine how much your wrongful death claim is worth.
Your lawyer will then proceed to file all the necessary paperwork for a wrongful death lawsuit or an insurance claim. They will pay attention to the deadline established by Connecticut’s wrongful death statute of limitations and ensure that all the documents are submitted on time.
As your lawyer prepares your case for court, they will also be engaged in active negotiations with opposing counsel, working to reach a fair settlement deal. If no deal has been agreed upon by the end of the pretrial process, your lawyer will present your case in court, where they will attempt to win a favorable ruling.
Be Careful When Engaging With Representatives from an Insurance Company After the Death of a Loved One
Following the death of a loved one, you will likely need to interact with the at-fault party’s insurer. It is critical that you proceed with caution, as these companies do not have your best interests at heart. Insurers hate paying out claims and will do everything they can to minimize the amount you are able to claim.
In an attempt to deny or devalue your claim, an insurance adjuster will resort to a wide range of tricks. Without experience in the field, you can easily fall victim to their tactics and find yourself unable to recover the money you need. Because of this, the best defense is to decline to speak to anyone from the insurance company until you have secured legal representation.
After you hire a Hartford wrongful death lawyer, the insurance company will be barred from contacting you directly. Forcing them to work through your attorney will neutralize their ability to manipulate you, leveling the playing field. Your attorney will then be able to push for the money you need and deserve with a much-improved chance of securing favorable compensation.
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Work With an Experienced Wrongful Death Attorney Serving Hartford Today
While recovering money probably isn’t going to be the top thing on your mind following the loss of a loved one, doing so can still be critical. The death of a loved one can cause significant financial strain, especially if they were the primary earner for your household. At Claggett, Sykes & Garza, we have a proven track record of winning big for our clients.
Contact us today by giving us a call, using our chat tool, or completing our online contact form, and schedule a free, no-obligation case consultation with one of our Hartford wrongful death lawyers.
