Tucson Wrongful
Death Lawyer

Tucson Wrongful Death Lawyers – Seeking Justice and Compensation

Dealing with the aftermath of a fatal accident is an emotionally overwhelming experience. The financial burden and mental suffering that result from such a tragedy can be daunting. If you believe that the negligence of others led to the wrongful death of your loved one, it’s crucial to seek legal guidance. At Zanes Law, our experienced Tucson wrongful death lawyers are dedicated to helping families like yours navigate the legal complexities during these difficult times.

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

What Qualifies as a Wrongful Death?

Wrongful death occurs when a party or multiple parties’ misconduct or negligence results in someone’s death. The parties usually have an obligation to follow specific rules to ensure that they do not cause any harm, often known as a duty of care.

When a breach of this duty of care results in someone’s death, the deceased person’s survivors may be able to file a wrongful death claim. According to A.R.S. § 12-612, families can file a lawsuit against the party that they believe to be responsible for the death.

This is a personal injury lawsuit with some special categories of damages that recognize what the family lost. Arizona law factors in that families lose the most when their loved one dies at someone else’s hands. A wrongful death attorney in Tucson can evaluate your case to determine whether you may have a valid claim.

Tucson Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me 866-499-8989

Taking Legal Actions for Wrongful Death

A wrongful death action can provide a path to justice and monetary damages for the losses you’ve endured. Funeral expenses, burial expenses, medical bills, and mental suffering are some of the challenges families often face. Moreover, the loss of companionship and financial support further intensifies the emotional and financial strain. Our compassionate team of wrongful death attorneys is here to help you hold responsible parties accountable and pursue the compensation your family deserves.

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Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Tucson Our Lawyers See

Wrongful death cases can stretch across many industries and situations.

Some common causes of fatal injuries due to negligence are:

• Car accidents
• Nursing home abuse
• Construction site accidents
• Workplace accidents
• Trucking accidents
• Slips and falls
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Burn injuries
• Defective products

While a diverse range of accidents can cause fatal injuries, there is a common theme between them. Personal injury law principles apply, and you could recover compensation when you prove that someone else was to blame.

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Navigating the Legal Process

Suing a corporate defendant can present unique challenges. Big corporations often prioritize profit over safety, even when a small investment could save lives. Our Tucson personal injury attorneys have the experience and determination to stand up against these tactics. We will meticulously investigate the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death, collecting evidence to establish negligence. Through consultations with experts and witnesses, we build a strong case to fight for your rights.

Insurance Claim or Lawsuit? We Have You Covered

In your pursuit of financial relief, you have two options: filing an insurance claim or a wrongful death lawsuit. Our skilled lawyers can guide you through both paths. While negotiating with an insurance company, we ensure your rights are protected. Insurance companies often offer low settlements, but our relentless negotiation ensures you receive fair compensation. If necessary, we’ll take your case to court, demonstrating your resolve to pursue justice and secure the best possible outcome.

Compassionate Counsel, Tenacious Advocacy

At Zanes Law, we understand the emotional turmoil you’re going through. Our team is not only experienced in legal matters but also empathetic to your pain. While we can’t erase your suffering, we can provide comprehensive legal support, helping you secure the compensation needed to alleviate the financial burdens. Our dedicated Tucson wrongful death lawyers are ready to stand by your side, fighting for justice and honoring the memory of your loved one.

Why Act Now? Time is of the Essence

Wrongful death statutes set a time limit for filing a claim, typically within two years of the incident. Delaying the legal process can be detrimental to your case, especially if the responsible party prolongs litigation. By acting promptly, you increase your chances of obtaining the financial relief your family deserves and preventing prolonged legal battles.

People our Tucson Wrongful Death Lawyers Work With

Families will also need to identify who will be filing the wrongful death lawsuits. Courts have crowded and busy dockets, and they can only legally allow one wrongful death claim among the family. An order of precedence in Arizona Arizona Rev. Stat. § 12-612  dictates who can file a wrongful death claim.

It is as follows:

• The deceased person’s surviving spouse has the first right to file a wrongful death claim.
• If there is no spouse, the right then shifts to the surviving children (they would file the case together).
• If there are no children, the surviving parent or guardian has the legal right to file the lawsuit.
• If none of the three above categories exist, the decedent’s personal representative can file a wrongful death lawsuit.

The hope is that all eligible family members can agree on the legal direction of the case and how to distribute the proceeds of any settlement or jury award.

Types of Recoverable Damages in a Tucson Wrongful Death Lawsuit

A wrongful death claim brought forth by family members may include compensatory and punitive damages. Compensatory damages encompass the plaintiff’s economic and non-economic losses. This might include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages, loss of benefits, loss of future earnings
• Loss of consortium
• Funeral expenses
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of inheritance

Punitive damages are awarded if the liable party acted egregiously. There is no cap on the number of damages you may receive. A wrongful death attorney from our Tucson legal team can review your family’s claim to determine what damages may be available in a civil lawsuit.

You Must Prove Both Negligence and Your Damages

There are two parts to a wrongful death lawsuit. The first is proving that someone else was responsible. This is the same as any other negligence lawsuit, and the same principles apply. The same four-factor test that applies to every other personal injury claim would also apply to your wrongful death claim.

Specifically, you must show that:

• Another person owed your loved one the duty of care
• That person breached the duty of care by acting unreasonably under the circumstances
• Your loved one suffered an injury
• Your loved one’s injury happened due to the other person’s actions

In a wrongful death case, the elements of the case are as follows:

• A person died
• The death resulted from the negligence of another person
• The deceased person’s surviving family suffered a monetary loss
• The decedent has a personal representative to file a lawsuit

You must provide sufficient evidence to prove each element sufficiently to have a successful case. Our Tucson wrongful death attorneys at Zanes Law will investigate the responsible parties, work to establish negligence, determine liability, and fight for your fair settlement.

Challenges of Suing a Corporate Defendant

If you are suing a corporate defendant, you should be ready for every excuse in the book as to why they can’t give you the compensation you deserve. When our Tucson personal injury attorneys go after a corporation, we hear the same reasons over and over again.

A company is usually worried about losing profit as a result of making its products safer. This same company that makes millions of dollars every quarter won’t add a standard safety feature that only costs the manufacturer $100 to make.

These tactics are common among big corporations, but our personal injury team is ready to take them on. If a corporation’s negligent actions caused the death of a loved one, our wrongful death lawyers can help you get justice and compensation for your loss. We can answer any questions you have about your case.

How the Tucson Wrongful Death Legal Process Will Unfold

The first thing that your wrongful death attorney will do is talk to you about the case. They will likely ask you a bunch of questions during the initial consultation to learn more about the facts. After all, since you only pay them if you win, they want to make sure that you have a plausible case before they invest the time fighting for you.

After that, your personal injury lawyer will begin to investigate and learn more about what happened to cause your loved one’s death. At this phase, they will begin collecting and gathering the evidence that you would need to prove the negligence that is a prerequisite for legal responsibility.

They may speak with witnesses and consult with experts to help assemble your case. At some point, they will be ready to file your complaint or claim. This could happen quickly, depending on the strength of the evidence in the case.

Families Could Also Consider a Survival Lawsuit

The estate of the decedent has the legal right to file this lawsuit. They can hold the defendant legally accountable for what the decedent experienced before their death. While some accidents happen in a matter of an instant, others leave the decedent with injuries that will eventually cost them their lives.

The defendant could cling to life for months or years. What happens between the injury and death could be compensable. These damages could include:

• Lost wages that the decedent would have earned between their injury and death
• The pain and suffering that the decedent experienced before they died
• Medical expenses were paid for their care while they were alive
• Funeral and burial costs
• Possible punitive damages based on how bad the defendant’s conduct was (this is not available on the wrongful death side of the claim)

If the estate succeeds in this lawsuit, it will receive the proceeds of the settlement. The money goes to beneficiaries according to the estate’s instructions for the distribution of assets.

A wrongful death lawyer in Tucson can help you pursue a wrongful death claim or survival action.

How We Might Value Your Tucson Wrongful Death Claim

One of the first questions that families ask us is how much their wrongful death case is worth. 

Some factors that could come into play include:

• The age of the decedent: Cases of younger people with jobs and smaller children would be worth more than the wrongful death of the retired person or someone nearing retirement.
• Whether they were a parent: The family would presumably suffer even more if they lost a parent who actively provided guidance and support in person every day.
• Their specific job and earnings: Higher-paid earners would obviously lose more in prospective earnings.
• How the death hurt the family that they left behind: This requires consideration of the unique family situation in the wake of their loved one’s death.

Another major factor is the amount of insurance coverage that the defendant has. A wrongful death lawyer in Tucson can identify all potential sources of liability to ensure that you are able to seek maximum compensation for your loss.

Seek Help from a Tucson Wrongful Death Law Firm

If you have recently lost a loved one, you may be experiencing a lot of emotional pain. Though no amount of money can bring back your loved one, filing a wrongful death claim could provide you with an opportunity to recover damages for your losses. An attorney could help you seek justice for your family.

Take action today and make the call to our Tucson wrongful death lawyers at Zanes Law. We understand that this is a difficult time for you, but the legal process often favors those who act quickly. To get a free consultation, call us or contact us.

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