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25+ Years of Experience
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25+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

When you hire us, you're adding unmatched experience to your team, ensuring you get the best possible outcome.

99% WIN RATE

Our firm maintains an impressive 99% win rate, even while accepting difficult cases other law firms have turned away.

NO UPFRONT FEES

We are not afraid of trial, and insurance companies know this. If it’s in your best interest, we are always trial ready.

Losing a loved one can be incredibly challenging for your family, leaving you with grief and unexpected financial burdens. It’s even worse when your loved one dies an untimely death because of someone else’s carelessness or recklessness.

Beyond the physical loss of your loved one, you and your family may suffer financially and emotionally. However, if you can prove that someone else’s actions led to your loved one’s death, you may be eligible for significant financial compensation.

At Zanes Law, we help families pursue the money they deserve after losing a loved one to someone else’s negligence. You can contact us today to work with a Phoenix wrongful death attorney.

Phoenix Wrongful Death FAQ

We have compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions to help you make an informed decision as you consider filing a wrongful death claim in Phoenix.

For a free legal consultation with a wrongful death lawyer serving Phoenix, call 866-499-8989

When Can You File a Wrongful Death Claim in Phoenix, AZ?

Arizona uses specific laws to define wrongful death incidents. For example, under Arizona wrongful death law (AZ Rev. Stat. § 12-611), your family may have a chance to file a wrongful death lawsuit if you lost a loved one due to an act of negligence or default by another party.

Many families file these claims after car accidents, for example. If you want to discuss your family’s eligibility for a claim, you can reach out to a Phoenix wrongful death lawyer. We can discuss all aspects of your case with a free consultation.

If we believe your loved one’s death may have been preventable, we can handle your legal needs and advise you about your next steps in Phoenix.

Phoenix Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me 866-499-8989

Who Can Sue for Wrongful Death in Phoenix?

The legal codes in Arizona allow specific family members to file a claim after a deadly accident. The laws in our state will enable you to seek compensation for your losses if you lose your:

  • Spouse
  • Parent
  • Child

 What if you lost a family member with no surviving spouse, parent, or child? In that situation, a personal representative for your family member’s estate can file the action. In many cases, the court appoints this legal representative.

A Phoenix wrongful death attorney can review your family’s needs and help you determine who has a legal chance to file this kind of claim.

Click to contact our Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyers today

What Compensation Can You Recover in a Phoenix Wrongful Death Case?

This type of case aims to recover what you and your family lost when your family member died. We understand the significant consequences you may suffer after your loved one’s death.

While money cannot bring the person back, you can recover damages for your loved one’s death. You and your family may be eligible to recover the following damages from the responsible parties:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of income for the deceased person
  • Loss of companionship
  • Loss of emotional support
  • Loss of consortium for the deceased person’s spouse

Our law firm stands ready to recover fair compensation for you and your family. We work to ensure you recover all the damages your case qualifies for, so contact a wrongful death attorney in Phoenix for assistance. 

Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now

How Much Compensation Can You Receive for a Wrongful Death Action?

The compensation available for your family after a wrongful death accident in Phoenix can vary. Generally, you receive funds based on your specific losses. A Phoenix wrongful death attorney can assess these losses on your behalf.

We treat each claim we take on with personal care and attention instead of trying to provide a one-size-fits-all solution for our clients. Allow us to review your situation with compassionate care and understanding. 

Survival Actions vs. Wrongful Death Claims in Arizona

The types of damages you can pursue in each of these actions differ. Wrongful death claims allow your family to seek funds to cover your emotional anguish, pain, suffering, and other losses.

However, these claims do not allow you to seek damages to cover funeral expenses or the medical bills faced by your loved one after an accident.

The state of Arizona permits the seeking of damages for things like lost wages, funeral and burial costs, and medical expenses in survival action cases. Punitive damages may also be available in some circumstances.

The recovery of pain and suffering damages in a survival case is, however, severely limited by law. Section 14-3110 of the Arizona Revised Statutes provides these restrictions. A Phoenix wrongful death lawyer can help you pursue these damages from the responsible party.

How Can a Lawyer Help Me With a Wrongful Death Action?

Your Phoenix wrongful death attorney can help with all aspects of your legal case. Our team stands ready to provide support and understanding in this difficult time. When you reach out to us, we provide the following:

A Free Consultation

We understand that seeing an attorney for a wrongful death case will be a difficult conversation for you because it involves discussing the trauma of losing your loved one. Your wrongful death lawyer in Phoenix will handle the consultation with compassion and sensitivity while attempting to learn more about your case.

We will need to learn the facts, so we can tell you where to begin in the process of trying to obtain financial compensation. We will ask you specific questions to understand your case. We often meet with clients multiple times to review legal claims.

An experienced attorney can help you get started, although you should expect your lawyer to have only some of the answers within an hour of talking to you. Thus, the initial consultation is a starting point for both of us.

An Investigation of the Causes of the Accident

Our team understands the importance of establishing negligence and liability in wrongful death claims in Phoenix. We use our experience and resources to dig into the causes of the accident, often by:

  • Questioning witnesses who saw the accident
  • Acquiring a copy of any accident reports
  • Getting a copy of the police report
  • Reviewing the scene of the accident
  • Working with medical professionals and other experts 

We adjust the scope of our investigation based on your family’s unique needs.

A Focus on Your Losses

We look into all the losses experienced by your family, tracking them on your behalf. This information allows us to assess any deals or offers made by insurance companies to see if they address all the losses you sustained.

Help with Insurance Adjustors

The negligent party in your claim is likely to have an insurance policy to cover losses when they have caused an accident. However, insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and they know it isn’t profitable to simply hand out maximum payments to everyone who asks. 

While insurance adjusters may seem sympathetic to your story, it’s important to remember that they are trained professionals. Their job is to save as much money as possible for their employer. As they listen to you, they look for ways to reduce or deny a payout.

Talking to the insurance adjuster or offering permission for them to record a statement can put your claim at serious risk. It’s better to allow your wrongful death attorney in Phoenix to handle it.

Call or text 866-499-8989 or complete a
Free Case Evaluation form

Phoenix Wrongful Death Blog Posts:

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This was the 1st time I've used Zanes Law. It was a fantastic experience for having to go through a situation most would rather not. The attorney and staff were always available to answer my questions and explained things clearly and were obviously 100% in my corner. My attorney, Jim, was very genuine and made me immediately comfortable when I came in to speak with him about my case. Every case manager I dealt with was patient and helpful. I would definitely return to Zanes should the time ever come again that I need a personal injury firm.

Kelly Kay

Personal Injury

Hello! As client of Zane law I was recently involved in accident last September and my recovery is still healing but Zane law checked on me and made sure everything was going smoothly and made sure I was on the right step every single time. I definitely would used them again ! They have helped my recovery so much and being a mom of 6 it has made my days alittle more better/easier! From chiropractor to message therapist and making sure I had that extra help like trauma counseling to get through my days! I thank you so much Rachel and Annabelle!

Monique Cota

car accident

Zanes Law was a terrific legal experience. I first went to a law firm that only wanted me to go to physical therapy and pad the bill, so they could utilize my insurance policy to its capacity. Once I went to Zanes, they were honest, professional and prompt with calls almost once a week. Sometimes I got a call just because we did not have contact for close to two weeks. Some calls were to just ask how I was doing. I also received more money than originally discussed. Great job Zanes Law!!!!! If need be I will use their services again. THANKS

James Doligale

Personal Injury

Zanes Law was a terrific legal experience. I first went to a law firm that only wanted me to go to physical therapy and pad the bill, so they could utilize my insurance policy to its capacity. Once I went to Zanes, they were honest, professional and prompt with calls almost once a week. Sometimes I got a call just because we did not have contact for close to two weeks. Some calls were to just ask how I was doing. I also received more money than originally discussed. Great job Zanes Law!!!!! If need be I will use their services again. THANKS

James Doligale

Personal Injury

Zanes Law Practice Area

$1,320,000

Car Accident

No one ever expects to be involved in a car accident, suffer an injury, or need to begin looking for a Phoenix car accident attorney.

Zanes Law Practice Area

$1,065,000

Wrongful Death

With the help of a Phoenix wrongful death lawyer, you should receive compensation for your losses.

Zanes Law Practice Area

$700,000

Slip and Fall

When you are hurt in an accident, our Phoenix slip and fall lawyers are only a phone call away.

Zanes Law Practice Area

$1,100,000

Motorcycle Accident

Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Phoenix understand how dangerous it can be to ride a bike. So much so that we have created safety articles for years.

American-Association-for-Justice Arizona-Trial-Lawyers The-American-Society-of-Legal-Advocates Tuscon-Metro-Chamver Million-Dollar

Why Choose Us for Your Wrongful Death Claim?

Selecting the right firm to handle your claim is essential. Our legal team believes in providing personalized care and support. We walk you through all aspects of your claim and communicate throughout the legal process. You can reach out to us anytime for help with your case.   Zanes Law provides:

Experienced Legal Advice

Our team has twenty years of experience handling legal claims for clients in your situation. We use the knowledge we’ve gained over the years to create legal strategies that get results.

History of Success

Our firm has a reputation for successfully helping clients, securing over $500 million for individuals around Arizona. We also have specific experience handling wrongful death claims, assisting families in securing:

  • $1,065,000 after a deadly motorcycle accident
  • $375,000 after a fatal bicycle accident

These are just 2 examples of the many claims we have successfully resolved. Let us put our experience to work for you. We negotiate aggressively to ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible so you have a better foundation to rebuild your life.

Guiding Principles

Our guiding principles focus on providing personal and caring assistance to each client we take on. In addition, we set ourselves apart from other law firms by encouraging all team members to continue learning and growing constantly. We want to constantly strive to be better legal professionals, focusing on changing our clients’ lives and bringing them the compensation they need to move forward in their lives. So start working with a Phoenix wrongful death attorney now to get help on your side.

How Do Lawyers Prove Negligence in a Wrongful Death Case?

We need to show that someone else caused your loved one’s accident and the loss of their life, making them legally responsible for your family’s losses. This requires an understanding of how to prove negligence in a court of law. Negligence is another way of saying that someone else’s wrongful actions or inactions took your family member from you. There is a four-part test to prove negligence in any personal injury case, and each element of negligence must be present. A wrongful death lawyer in Phoenix will gather evidence and develop a legal argument to show:

  • Duty of care: The defendant owed your loved one the duty to act reasonably under the circumstances
  • Breach of duty: The defendant breached that duty by acting unreasonably
  • Injury: Your loved one suffered an injury
  • Causation: Your loved one would not have suffered injuries had it not been for the actions of the defendant

Often, the entire personal injury claim will come down to proving what the negligent party did or did not do. This aspect of your case requires a wrongful death attorney in Phoenix who can investigate the cause of the death and present the facts to an insurance company or jury.

Do You Have to File a Lawsuit for a Wrongful Death Claim?

Many families in Phoenix assume they have to file a lawsuit after losing a loved one. However, filing a lawsuit may only sometimes represent your best choice. The method to resolve your claim depends on the situation and the strategy that your lawyer advises you to follow. In some situations, you should file a lawsuit right after your loved one has died and use that as leverage in wrongful death settlement negotiations. Other times, you should file an insurance claim first and see if you can reach a settlement agreement. You always have the option to file a lawsuit if the insurance company does not pay you what you legally deserve.

Once You File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit, Can You Still Settle Your Claim?

Even if you file a lawsuit, you can continue to discuss a potential settlement agreement. In fact, personal injury actions will eventually settle and not go to trial. In many cases, the defendant does not want their case in the hands of a jury when someone has died. Juries can sympathize with the grieving family and hit the defendant with a large verdict. In the end, your Phoenix wrongful death attorney will advise you on the right time to settle and whether they believe you are receiving a fair settlement offer.

How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Phoenix?

Arizona offers limited time to file a claim due to the statute of limitations. You have two years from the time that you learned that someone else’s negligent conduct caused your family member’s passing. Arizona codified this time limit under A.R.S. § 12-542. The statute of limitations is a stringent limit. If you file your claim after the statute of limitations expires, you will lose the right to receive financial compensation. Therefore, you never want to wait until the last minute, or any moment longer than necessary, to begin the legal process. Many families begin working on their cases as soon as they can. An experienced wrongful death lawyer in Phoenix can handle your claim as you process your grief and begin the healing process.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Wrongful Death?

Many different kinds of accidents can lead to the loss of a loved one. Our team steps in to help with these incidents, including:

Car Accidents

Car accidents and motorcycle accidents make up the majority of accidental deaths. These cases often involve distracted drivers, recklessness, and/or driver fatigue.

Truck accidents

Truck accidents can lead to massive and fatal damage. To successfully pursue a claim related to this type of crash, you must understand the laws and regulations governing truckers.

Defective Products

Defective products, such as cars or medical devices, can cause serious injuries or even death. You may hold the manufacturer liable under product liability laws if their negligence led to your loss. Your Phoenix wrongful death lawyer can help you if a faulty product caused an accident.

Workplace Accidents

Employers must adhere to certain safety standards, and workers must protect themselves. If an employer fails in their duty of care and it leads to the worker’s death, then you may have a wrongful death claim.

Pedestrian Accidents

Drivers have a responsibility to drive safely and watch for pedestrians. When a motorist’s negligence results in a fatal accident, the victim’s family may pursue a wrongful death claim.

Boating Accidents

Boating accidents can be especially dangerous due to the large size of boats and the speed at which they travel. If negligent behavior leads to an accident causing death, then you may have a wrongful death claim. A Phoenix wrongful death attorney can help you pursue the case.

Premises Liability Accidents

Property owners must keep their premises safe for visitors and guests. If a dangerous condition on the premises causes an injury or death, a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix can help you file a wrongful death claim against the property. Drownings, dog bites, slip and falls, and even fires or violent attacks may fall under this category. While this is a broad group of accidents, they share something in common: someone else can be responsible for the loss of your loved one. When that happens, justice demands that they be accountable for the losses they cause. A wrongful death lawyer in Phoenix, AZ, can take legal action and help you pursue monetary damages in many of these cases.

What Do Wrongful Death Attorneys in Phoenix Cost?

Generally, personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning your family doesn’t have to worry about paying legal fees immediately upon hiring a lawyer. Instead, the firm only receives payment for legal fees after resolving your claim with a settlement or verdict. After resolving your wrongful death suit, the law firm receives a percentage of your final monetary settlement. This payment generally comes directly from the settlement, allowing you to avoid complicated fees or stress. Legal representation is accessible to you if recklessness or negligent actions have caused your loved one’s death. We can help you file a claim for financial damages and hold the negligent party accountable without adding further financial or emotional stress.

What Happens if the Death Was a Result of Criminal Action?

You have a legal right to recover compensation if someone else was to blame for losing your loved one, regardless of how the accident occurred. Therefore, you can file a lawsuit if an assault or a drunk driving accident caused a fatality. The civil action process is entirely different from the criminal process. Therefore, you still need to file a case, even if the defendant faced charges and received a conviction for a crime. You can discuss the differences more with a Phoenix wrongful death attorney. You do not need to wait for a conviction to file a civil lawsuit. However, the criminal process may move faster than the civil claim, and that case can resolve before your lawsuit. If the case ends in a conviction, you can use evidence of the conviction to help your civil lawsuit.

Can I Get Punitive Damages in a Wrongful Death Case?

Punitive damages do not frequently apply in personal injury cases. However, more egregious cases may cause juries to want to punish the defendant. Whether a jury awards this type of damage depends on the facts. We cannot say what makes it more likely that the jury will hit the defendant with punitive damages, but the fact that someone died needlessly may anger the jury and cause them to want to punish someone. Your attorney will inform the court at the beginning of the case that they seek punitive damages on your behalf.

Contact Us for Assistance Handling Wrongful Death Claims

After the untimely death of a loved one, it’s important to seek legal counsel to protect your rights and your interests. Our team at Zanes Law can stand up for you, representing you in and out of court and providing you with the support you need to move forward. You can work with a Phoenix wrongful death attorney from our team today. Call us or fill out the contact form on our website to get started with your free case consultation.

Phoenix Wrongful Death Blog Posts:

surviving a dust storm

Infographic: Surviving a dust storm: Do you know what to…

Doug Zanes shares advice on surviving a dust storm. Giant dust storms, popularly called “haboobs,” make for spectacular photos that everyone has seen shared o...

READ MORE
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Four Tips That Will Help You Stay Safe Nightclub safety is important because there are real dangers that we seldom think about. What could be the common denominator in be...

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Phoenix Car Accident Lawyer - Safety Tips

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Zanes Law Phoenix accident lawyer discusses the major accident stories of 2017. Each year, millions of Americans are involved in auto accidents, but few of these crashes ...

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