Losing a loved one is the worst experience most of us will ever endure. When someone could have prevented it from happening by being more careful or conscientious, that pain can increase. The complexities and requirements of a wrongful death case can overwhelm the families left behind.
At Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, we provide supportive and effective legal representation for families coping with the heartbreaking loss of loved ones. Our St. Paul wrongful death lawyers strive to make a positive difference in our clients' lives during this distressing time by pursuing justice and securing compensation to ease the burden of untimely loss.
Obtaining Wrongful Death Compensation With Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers
While nothing can replace a loved one's place in your life and your future, financial compensation can at least relieve some of your more practical concerns.
At Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, our team of attorneys has an impressive portfolio of case results with plenty of experience in handling wrongful death claims. With convenient offices in downtown St. Paul, our firm aims to assist families through the complexities of these cases.
We understand the intricacies of Minnesota's wrongful death laws and are ready to advocate vigorously for your interests. Whether investigating the circumstances of your loved one's death or arguing your case in court, we approach every step with meticulous attention to detail and determination to obtain the maximum possible compensation for you.
Successful Wrongful Death Claims
In past cases, our firm has secured substantial settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients. Whether navigating complex litigation or negotiating fair settlements, our lawyers demonstrate an unwavering commitment to justice and the rights of the wronged.
While the details of specific cases remain confidential, they include judgments for numerous wrongful death circumstances, including traffic incidents, workplace accidents, and medical malpractice claims.
A Compassionate Legal Team
Our clients praise our accessibility, clear communication, and steadfast support during a challenging time, underscoring our dedication to providing exceptional legal service.
We know the profound emotional toll such a tragic loss can take on families. We are here to shoulder the legal burdens of your wrongful death case to bring you closure and allow you to focus on healing.
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How Our Lawyers Handle Wrongful Death Cases
Wrongful death cases are legal actions taken when someone dies due to the negligence or misconduct of another person or entity, either by their actions or their failure to act. These lawsuits not only seek justice for your loved one but also pursue compensation for you and other surviving family members who are profoundly affected by their loss.
Common Circumstances of Wrongful Death Cases
While each wrongful death claim involves a unique set of conditions, our lawyers file claims relating to certain situations more than others.
These include:
- Car, truck, and motorcycle crashes.
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents.
- Medical malpractice claims.
- Accidents at work.
- Defective products.
- Fatal injuries from slip and fall accidents.
Why You Need Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers on Your Side
In a wrongful death case, your claim must stand up against the lawyers and the insurance company of the negligent party who caused your loved one's premature death. They may have an aggressive, experienced legal team determined to prove their client is not at fault. You and your family deserve the services of attorneys with a track record of success in obtaining wrongful death compensation.
How Our Lawyers Can Support You by Handling Your Wrongful Death Claim
Our firm offers extensive legal assistance in wrongful death cases, and we have successfully obtained compensation for economic and non-economic damages on behalf of our clients.
We are guided by compassionate and personalized attention to each client's unique circumstances. Because we understand the emotional toll wrongful death can take on a family, we are committed to making the legal process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
We are with you at each stage of the wrongful death lawsuit process, beginning with filing your complaint and ensuring it accurately represents your situation.
During the discovery phase, we can work diligently to gather the evidence to strengthen your case. If the defendant offers a settlement, we can negotiate aggressively on your behalf to secure the best possible outcome for you. If the two sides cannot reach a settlement and the case goes to trial, our trial lawyers can passionately represent your interests.
We will provide regular updates and support throughout the legal process as we work aggressively on your behalf during this difficult time. At Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, we take on legal burdens so that you can focus on healing and remembrance.
Wrongful Death Compensation
Compensation in a wrongful death claim depends on many factors, including your loved one's earning capacity, age, health at the time of death, life expectancy, and responsibilities within your family. Determining compensation may also consider the past and future emotional pain and suffering you and your family experience in connection to your loved one's death.
Recent changes in Minnesota law substantially expand the types and amounts of damages for which you may seek compensation in ongoing and future wrongful death cases. Under previous laws, you could not claim certain personal injury damages after someone died, significantly limiting the value of wrongful death compensation.
The new law recognizes that you and your loved one may also deserve damages for the period between their injury and death to compensate for factors such as emotional distress, disfigurement, disability, pain, and suffering.
Our team at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers has years of experience in accurately estimating the damages we seek on behalf of our clients in wrongful death cases, ensuring families receive the full compensation they deserve under Minnesota law.
Types of Wrongful Death Damages You May Seek
In a wrongful death lawsuit, the term damages refers to the financial compensation that family members may seek from those responsible for their loved one's untimely death. These damages represent compensation for the past and the future and are usually divided into two categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are measurable, countable financial losses resulting from your loved one's death. These may include medical payments, funeral and burial expenses, loss of the deceased's future earnings, loss of benefits such as health insurance and retirement contributions, and other related costs.
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are the intangible losses you and your family endure. They include pain and suffering; emotional distress; loss of love, protection, and companionship; and loss of consortium for spouses.
Under certain circumstances, you can also claim punitive damages. You may recover such compensation in cases where deliberate actions or intentional disregard for the care and safety of your loved one wrongfully caused their death.
Calculating Damages in Wrongful Death Cases
Calculating damages in a wrongful death case requires estimating the financial contribution the deceased would have made to their family had they lived and assigning a monetary value to non-economic damages. Minnesota law does not set a maximum limit to compensation, but the specifics of your case will determine how much you are eligible to receive. Our Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers team can actively seek the utmost compensation you and your family deserve.
Wrongful Death Claims in St. Paul, Minnesota
In St. Paul and the rest of Minnesota, specific laws determine how and when someone can file a wrongful death claim. If your loved one passed away due to someone else's negligence or wrongdoing, you may file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek compensation for your losses.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in St. Paul?
According to Minnesota laws, a court-appointed trustee must file a wrongful death lawsuit. This representative is typically a close family member of the deceased, such as a surviving spouse, children, parents (if no children exist), siblings (if no parents or children exist), or parents of a minor child. Multiple family members often financially and emotionally depended on the deceased, and a single wrongful death claim may represent them all.
Because each case is unique, determining eligibility can be complex. The attorneys at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers can navigate the process for you, fight for justice for your loved one, and seek a positive outcome for your case.
When Can You File a Wrongful Death Claim in St. Paul?
Minnesota law places a time limit on when you can file a wrongful death lawsuit, known as a statute of limitations. In most cases, your lawyer must bring a lawsuit within three years of the date your loved one died. That may seem like a long time, but resolving a wrongful death claim often involves a complicated and lengthy process.
Starting as early as possible can ensure the collection and preservation of relevant evidence and documentation, making a stronger case and offering a better chance at the justice and compensation you deserve.
Discovery and Negotiation for Your Wrongful Death Case
While filing a wrongful death claim is a complex and lengthy process, our team at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers has the skills and resources to fight for you every step of the way.
A wrongful death lawsuit typically begins by filing a legal complaint and outlining the reasons for your lawsuit and the damages you seek. Following this, your lawyer and the attorneys for the defendant engage in a legal process called discovery, in which both sides gather evidence to support their respective positions.
This evidence may include:
- Official depositions are taken under oath from relevant witnesses and others, including experts with knowledge and insights about your case.
- Photos and videos of an accident scene or other relevant details.
- Notes and journal entries you, your family members, or your loved one may have written since the injury leading to their death occurred.
- Hospital and other medical records, including doctor's visits, pharmacy prescriptions, and nursing care.
- Financial and tax records, including proof of income and outstanding loans.
- Medical bills, both paid and unpaid, including those for medical equipment and supplies.
- Police reports.
- Any communications you may have received from insurance companies.
- Other documentation that lawyers for either side feel is relevant and convincing.
You need persuasive evidence in a wrongful death lawsuit because if your case goes to trial, your attorney must use it to prove the other party was more likely at fault than not.
After reviewing depositions and other evidence, the defendant's lawyers may try to negotiate with your attorney to offer you a settlement. While this may shorten the legal process, you and your lawyer must decide if a settlement offer is acceptable or if you would prefer to take your case to trial.
If your case goes to trial, both sides will present their arguments and evidence before a judge and, if either side so chooses, a jury. At the conclusion of your case, the court will decide on your wrongful death lawsuit.
Call For a Free Consultation With Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers in St. Paul
We understand that this is a very difficult time. That's why we offer free, no-obligation consultations. You can discuss your case with us, learn more about your legal options, and decide the best way forward for you and your family.
To begin your fight for justice in your wrongful death case, reach out to Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers. We answer our phones 24/7, and our dedicated, compassionate team is ready to stand with you. Don't wait to pursue the justice you and your loved ones deserve. Contact us today to request a return call, or call us directly at (651) 237-4258.