Your attorney will carefully examine the evidence in your case

Your loss—your family’s loss—is so intense that you can’t imagine that everyone else doesn’t know exactly what you are going through and precisely why it happened. You expect that the legal system is going to hold accountable the person who caused your loved one’s death and that you will be provided with financial damages for your significant loss.

The legal system may do both of these things, but not automatically. Instead, the burden is on you as the plaintiff in a wrongful death case to prove that the defendant is liable and the value of your damages.

This Requires Evidence

Your attorney will advocate for your fair recovery in court and negotiate with the insurance company to try to recover a fair settlement. However, both settlements and court verdicts require evidence. You need proof of…

  • What happened. You will have to set forth the facts of what happened in the accident or incident that led to our loved one’s death.
  • How the facts of the case make the defendant(s) liable. You will have to have evidence to explain why the facts of the case make the defendant liable. In other words, you will have to prove that the defendant’s negligent or intentional acts caused your loved one’s death.
  • Damages. Once you establish the defendant’s negligence (or other cause of action), then you will need evidence to prove the value of the damages suffered by your loved one and your family.

The proof that you need will depend on the unique circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death, but may include:

  • Physical evidence.
  • Photographic or video evidence.
  • Accident reports.
  • Medical records.
  • Death certificates.
  • Eyewitness testimony.
  • Expert witness testimony.
  • Pay records.
  • Interrogatories.
  • Depositions.
  • Other documents.

The longer you delay contacting a wrongful death lawyer, the harder it will be for the attorney to gather the necessary evidence to make compelling arguments to the court or insurance company. Accordingly, we encourage you to contact an experienced an empathetic wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible to learn more tips for protecting your wrongful death claim and to get started protecting your rights. We welcome your call at any time, 365 days a year, and we would be pleased to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with you to discuss your rights and potential recovery.

Jason F. Abraham
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Helping car accident and personal injury victims throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa since 1993.