Wrongful Death Attorney In Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg may be a beautiful suburban community, but it is still possible for serious or fatal injuries to happen in various ways. From highway accidents on I-59 and Mississippi Highway 42 to fatal slips and falls and negligent medical care, it is possible for a wrongful death to happen unexpectedly. If you have lost a family member to another party’s negligence or misconduct, you need to consult a Hattiesburg wrongful death lawyer right away.
Compassionate Wrongful Death Counsel in Hattiesburg, MS
Daniel Waide has been a pillar of the Hattiesburg community his entire life, from growing up on a local generational family farm and learning the value of honest work to sponsoring local youth sports leagues and health initiatives, Daniel is committed to living the values described in Isaiah 1:17, fighting for justice on behalf of the injured and oppressed and to “take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
Losing a family member is never easy, but it is an especially difficult and tragic experience when their death was the result of another party’s negligence or misconduct. If you believe your loved one recently died due to the actions of another party, you need to hire a wrongful death lawyer you trust to guide you through the difficult proceedings ahead of you. WaideLaw can work diligently to resolve your case efficiently and guide you to a positive conclusion.
Building Your Wrongful Death Case in Hattiesburg
A wrongful death case is a type of personal injury case filed on behalf of the deceased victim by their surviving loved ones. The personal representative of the deceased’s estate is usually the one who files the wrongful death claim on behalf of the victim’s surviving family. It’s possible for any act of negligence or intentional misconduct to potentially lead to a wrongful death case. Some of the most common causes of wrongful deaths in Mississippi include:
- Vehicle accidents. The National Safety Council reported that in 2023, 44,762 people died in motor vehicle crashes throughout the United States. Fatal accidents can happen due to speeding, distracted driving, or illegal misconduct behind the wheel, such as intoxicated driving.
- Workplace accidents. Some industries, like construction and refinery work, are inherently dangerous. When a fatal accident happens in the workplace, the victim’s family may be able to claim workers’ compensation death benefits, but they could also have grounds to file a wrongful death suit against the party directly responsible for causing the death.
- Product liability. It’s possible that a defective and/or unreasonably dangerous consumer product to have caused your loved one’s death. In this situation, the product’s manufacturer could be liable for wrongful death under product liability laws. Success with this type of case requires proof that the defect is directly responsible for the victim’s fatal injury.
- Medical malpractice. Thousands of people throughout Mississippi trust healthcare professionals to provide safe and effective treatment, but the reality is that negligence in medical treatment can have disastrous effects and is more common than many realize. A Johns Hopkins University study concluded that medical errors may account for more than 250,000 preventable deaths nationwide each year.
- Illegal misconduct. Acts of intentional violence or reckless disregard for the safety of others can potentially have fatal consequences. If your loved one died due to the illegal acts of another party, they are not only liable for the wrongful death, but they are also likely to face criminal prosecution and severe penalties if convicted.
These are just a few possible causes of fatal personal injuries. No matter how your loved one died, if you believe another party is responsible, you need to hire a wrongful death lawyer at your first opportunity so your legal representative can start building your case. Some of the evidence you may need may not be available for long, and witness testimony is more reliable when it is obtained as quickly as possible after an incident.
Claiming Compensation in a Wrongful Death Case
The objective of a typical personal injury case is for the injured victim to prove liability for their damages and recover the compensation they need to be as whole as possible again after their injury. While a wrongful death case is a type of personal injury case, the objective of this type of case is to secure compensation on behalf of the victim’s surviving spouse, children, and other beneficiaries.
The plaintiff filing the wrongful death suit can seek various forms of compensation on behalf of the victim’s family, such as repayment of funeral and burial expenses, medical expenses for treatment of the victim’s fatal injury, and the lost financial support the victim can no longer provide to their family. It is also possible for the case to yield compensation for the pain and suffering the victim experienced prior to death and for the family’s mental anguish.
While there is no limit on economic damages that can be recovered from a wrongful death suit, Mississippi law does limit non-economic damages in wrongful death cases. Your Hattiesburg wrongful death lawyer can explain what caps apply to your case and assist you with maximizing your recovery.
Why You Need to Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer
Do not assume that you don’t need legal representation for your wrongful death claim, even if liability for the victim’s death seems perfectly apparent. The reality is that many unexpected complications might arise in your case, and you need to hire legal counsel you trust at your first opportunity to help you build and file your case correctly.
Any procedural errors in the filing of your case could have disastrous effects, and you may also encounter unexpected complications that you will not know how to resolve on your own. Hiring an attorney can significantly increase your chances of not only filing your case successfully but also of winning the case and reaching a positive outcome.
WaideLaw has the experience, skills, and resources you want on your side for any type of wrongful death case in Hattiesburg. Daniel Waide can provide compassionate legal guidance through all stages of your case, from gathering the evidence needed to prove liability for the death to accurately calculating the full extent of the damages you are eligible to claim. Reach out to our firm today and learn how we can assist your family with your case.
FAQs
How Do You Prove Fault for a Wrongful Death in Hattiesburg?
To prove fault for a wrongful death in Hattiesburg, you must identify the party you believe to be responsible for causing the death and then prove how they caused it. The standard of proof in these cases is a preponderance of the evidence, meaning your evidence must show that the defendant is more likely than not responsible for the damages cited in your claim.
Will the Defendant Go to Jail for Causing the Wrongful Death?
It is possible for a defendant to go to jail and face other penalties for causing a wrongful death if they caused it by breaking the law. For example, if a wrongful death happens because of standard negligence, the defendant would be liable for the family’s damages, but when a wrongful death is the result of illegal misconduct like intentional violence or drunk driving, the defendant faces criminal charges along with their civil liability.
What Is the Value of a Wrongful Death Case in Hattiesburg?
The value of a wrongful death case in Hattiesburg can vary based on multiple factors. The family may have grounds to claim compensation for various economic damages like losses to the deceased’s estate, the cost of final medical treatment, lost future income, and funeral and burial expenses. The family may also claim compensation for pain and suffering, but this aspect of their case award is capped under state law.
What Is Comparative Fault in a Wrongful Death Case?
In a wrongful death case, comparative fault can come into play if the facts show that the victim partially caused their fatal injury. Under Mississippi’s pure comparative fault rule, a percentage of fault is assigned to the victim, and this percentage is then taken from the case award. Your Hattiesburg wrongful death lawyer can explain how comparative fault could influence the outcome of your case.
Why Should I Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer?
You should hire a wrongful death lawyer to increase your chances of success with your case. Even if the fault for your accident seems clear, the reality is that you could encounter a host of complex challenges as your case unfolds that you will not know how to resolve without an attorney’s help. By hiring experienced legal counsel to represent you, you are significantly more likely to not only win your case but also maximize your compensation.
Daniel Waide is committed to providing compassionate and results-driven legal representation to families mourning lost loved ones in Hattiesburg and the surrounding communities of Mississippi. If you believe another party is responsible for causing a loved one’s death, you need to hire a wrongful death lawyer right away to start building your case. Contact WaideLaw today and schedule a consultation with our team to learn how we can help.
