Most personal injury cases are settled out of court. However, when the situation is extreme, an attorney may prefer to bring the case to trial so a jury has the chance to award an amount higher than would be likely through negotiations with an insurer. A Wrongful Death Lawyer in Martinsburg WV handles cases that are exceptionally serious, since the incident resulted in a fatality. This lawyer represents bereaved families dealing with the loss of their loved one.
Wrongful Death Legal Categories
A Wrongful Death Lawyer in Martinsburg WV represents clients who lost a close family member due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness. These incidents are in a range of legal categories, such as premises liability, in which a person is killed because a property was not kept safe for employees, residents or visitors. Other examples of relevant legal categories include vehicle accidents, medical malpractice and attacks by animals owned by humans.
The Insurer’s Typical Viewpoint
An insurance company responsible for paying a wrongful death claim will likely be very willing to provide compensation for all hospital bills, funeral expenses and loss of future income if the deceased person had been a breadwinner for the family. Unfortunately, insurers may not be so willing to pay for intangible aspects that have no definitive economic value.
In court, an attorney with an organization such as Sherman Law Firm may address aspects such as loss of companionship for a spouse and loss of parenting for minor children. Emotional pain and suffering experienced by the family members also may qualify as an intangible factor worthy of financial compensation.
Moving Forward
Money is not intended to make up for this terrible loss. Nevertheless, it can make the family’s life easier when their bills are paid and they have funds to move forward with life. A parent might use some of that compensation for counseling for the family. They might bring friends and relatives who live far away to one location for scattering of the deceased person’s ashes.
Preparing for trial can be a lengthy process, and some clients will need to accept an insurance company settlement if they are in a state of serious financial hardship. More information can be found at Lshermanlawfirm.com.
