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Wrongful Death

If a family member has passed away due to the conduct of another,wrongful-death you may be entitled to damages through the civil justice system. The Alabama wrongful death attorneys at Cross & Smith will work tirelessly to obtain justice for the family of the deceased individual.

A wrongful death claim is a claim made for damages by close family members or the personal representative of the deceased person. The claim can be made against any individual or entity that contributed to causing the death, whether the conduct was negligent, reckless, or even intentional. Wrongful death claims cover a wide range of conduct, from shootings and fights, to car and truck accidents, scaffolding falls to medical malpractice. A wrongful death case is separate from any criminal prosecution the government may pursue against a wrongdoer.

How is a Wrongful Death Claim Filed?

Wrongful death claims are handled in a unique manner in Alabama. In other states, the wrongful death action is intended to compensate the family of the deceased for the harm they have suffered, such as loss of earnings the deceased would have brought in, loss of companionship, and funeral expenses. Alabama’s wrongful death law does not allow compensation for injuries, but instead only allows punitive damages. This reflects a policy determination that no amount of money can truly compensate for the value of a human life.

Instead of focusing on the victim and the loss to the family, Alabama law focuses on the defendant’s conduct. The purpose of the punitive damages is to punish the defendant for the conduct, and to deter similar conduct from ever happening again – by that individual, or anyone else. Damages are awarded for the preservation of human life. In this manner, the Alabama approach to wrongful death encourages careful conduct and valuing all human life. In other states, wrongful death damages depend upon the character, family relationships, and income history of the deceased, but in Alabama all victims are treated equally because the law focuses on the defendant’s conduct.

In every wrongful death case, of course, liability of the defendant must be proven. Once liability is demonstrated, the jury must determine the amount of money necessary to punish and deter the defendant and for the preservation of human life. In some cases more than one defendant may have contributed to the death, and these defendants may be held jointly and severally liable.

The accidental death of a family member is a tragic event, and no amount of money can compensate for the loss. Damages can, however, provide a measure of justice. Presenting your claim requires empathy and understanding. It also requires diligence and an aggressive approach, as wrongful death cases are often highly contested by defendants. It is also important to retain an attorney with significant experience with the intricacies of Alabama wrongful death law.

The attorneys at Cross & Smith are experienced Alabama wrongful death attorneys. We understand how difficult dealing with the death of a family member can be, and we will guide you through every step of the process of your wrongful death claim. If a family member has passed away due to the conduct of another, call our office today at (877) 791-0618 for a free confidential consultation.

Alabama Injury Attorneys Blog – Wrongful Death

Establishing Standing in Alabama Wrongful Death Claims
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Morrow v. Caldwell: Statutory Damage Caps Not Applicable to Municipal Workers Sued in Their Own Capacity
The Alabama Supreme Court recently returned a decision in the personal injury case of Morrow v. Caldwell that negligent government workers sued in ….

Worden v. Kirchner – Timely Filing of Injury Complaint Critical
In order to ensure that your Alabama medical malpractice claim has the best chance of success, the importance of a timely filing cannot be overstated. ….

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"ast year when my husband was injured in a car accident, I contacted Dell Cross. Immediately he and his wonderful staff went to work gathering all the information necessary to settle our claim. He explained every process, kept us informed and handled everything from the insurance companies down to the smallest bill. He made himself available to us anytime day or night, answering our questions and dealing with our concerns"
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