Losing a loved one is painful, but the pain can intensify if another party’s negligence contributes to the death. If this happens to your family, you can file a wrongful death claim to protect your loved ones’ rights. However, you should be careful about the legal steps you take.
The following are three mistakes to avoid when filing a wrongful death claim.
Fighting with your family
Your family should be on the same page concerning filing the claim. When you fight, it can be challenging to collect the needed evidence, which means your claim’s strength may be affected.
Of course, you may not share the same opinions with every member of the family. Nonetheless, you should agree on crucial matters, including when to file and how each member will participate. You may not agree on everything, but you should all focus on fighting for your loved one.
Discussing the case with others
You should only discuss the case with your family members. If your matter is publicly known, perhaps the media covered it, or everyone in your neighborhood heard of it, you and your family may face questions. It’s crucial to avoid commenting on the case – any statement you make, even those you believe are harmless, can affect your claim.
Speaking with the opposing insurance company
The other party’s insurance company may contact you to “obtain more information” or offer you a settlement. They typically do this to get a statement that can work in their favor or convince you to accept an unfair settlement. It will be best to avoid speaking with them.
If you lose a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, you should consider seeking legal guidance.