Wrongful Death Lawyer in Selma

When a loved one passes away unexpectedly, it can be devastating, and it’s even more upsetting knowing their death could have been prevented. You might require the assistance of a wrongful death attorney if you believe your loved one’s death was due to carelessness or misconduct.

In this heartbreaking situation, Heninger Garrison Davis can help you hold the responsible party accountable and seek justice for your loss. Our Selma wrongful death lawyer can explain your rights, guide you through the legal process, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

WHY CHOOSE HENINGER GARRISON DAVIS?

Our Selma law firm is adept at handling the most challenging and massive legal battles across all 50 states, thanks to our extensive resources and sophisticated legal strategies. However, regardless of the size or scope of the case, we prioritize personalized attention and a boutique practice atmosphere. Every client receives white glove treatment from the start, being paired with a designated coordinator who will keep them in the loop 24/7 via text. We tirelessly advocate for our clients, providing a source of reliability and strength while they navigate their healing process. While winning is something we do often and well, we understand that clients also seek a seamless journey along the way, and to that end, we treat every individual with empathy, kindness, and the utmost respect.

Not only do our successful attorneys shine in legal settings across the U.S., but they also give back in their local communities as altruistic leaders, encouraging fairness and positive social change. Every team member at Heninger Garrison Davis adheres to the underlying core values that have shaped our firm over the years. These include a dedication to excellence; an insistence on integrity and transparency; a desire to work collaboratively to maximize case outcomes; and the assumption of good will throughout every interaction.

I am so grateful to this firm and its employees. All of them have been so kind and expressed a genuine desire to help their clients.

—Damara Soto

WHAT SETS HGD APART IN SELMA?

Our outstanding legal practice stands out from its competitors thanks to an array of assets and differentiators:

ABOTA membership

Four attorneys at Heninger Garrison Davis are members of the elite American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), an invitation-only organization that includes the nation’s most recognized and astute legal visionaries.

Thriving in academia

Our partners serve as mentors and lecturers at local law schools and institutions, inspiring the brightest minds of the next generation while staying up-to-date on emerging trends in legal scholarship.

National representation and success

Our firm takes on cases throughout all 50 states, showcasing our impressive reach. We have recovered over $3 billion in damages for our clients, allowing them to finally heal from their legal ordeals and rebuild their lives.

Cutting-edge, adaptable technology

At HGD, we are passionate about implementing the latest in groundbreaking technology to streamline case management and optimize communication. We also work with an onsite IT specialist to bolster accessibility.

A supportive workplace

Thanks to our inclusive and empowering work atmosphere, our firm was recognized by the Birmingham Business Journal as one of the Best Places to Work in 2024. Our consistently high employee retention rate translates to improved reliability and detailed attention for our clients.

Awards and honors

HGD received an AVVO Preeminent Rating and has been recognized by our peers in such prominent publications and organizations as Martindale Hubbell, Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, Million Dollar Advocates, and Litigation Counsel of America. Our partners are board-certified in Trial Advocacy.

Referred by other attorneys

The majority of our cases come as referrals from other attorneys with whom we maintain synergistic and mutually beneficial partnerships. In fact, HGD partners are often called the “lawyers’ lawyers.”

Vast resources

Our attorneys have developed massive resources over the course of their esteemed careers. We work with the nation’s top-tier experts and authorities who can lend vital testimony in high-stakes legal struggles.

WHO CAN SUE FOR WRONGFUL DEATH IN SELMA, AL?

After losing a loved one in a preventable accident, you may be left reeling and contemplating your next steps. Our Selma personal injury attorney, who handles these cases, understands the complexities of Alabama’s wrongful death laws and is committed to seeking justice for our clients.

Wrongful death takes place when another person or organization causes a person’s death through a “wrongful act, omission, or negligence,” per Alabama Code § 6-5-410. When someone dies due to another party’s negligence or intentional acts, the surviving family can pursue damages like funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of companionship. However, there are certain requirements for bringing a wrongful death suit in Alabama.

Contact Us Today.

The sooner you take action, the better your chances for a favorable resolution.

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CAN ANY CLOSE FAMILY MEMBER BRING A LAWSUIT?

Unlike other states, Alabama does not allow just any family member to bring a lawsuit directly. Instead, only the deceased’s personal representative can file a wrongful death lawsuit.

In other words, if your mother passed away due to the actions of a negligent driver, you cannot bring a lawsuit unless you have been appointed her estate’s executor.
Personal representatives must be 19 or older, cannot have been convicted of certain crimes, and be competent enough to serve as executors.

WHO GETS THE MONEY IF THE ESTATE WINS?

When the estate prevails in a wrongful death lawsuit, the court will award the compensation from the lawsuit to family members in accordance with the state’s intestacy laws.

Even if the person who died had no will, in many cases, the deceased individual’s family would be awarded damages from the lawsuit.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO PROVE IN A FATAL PERSONAL INJURY CASE?

The executor or the estate’s attorney must show that the other party owed your loved one a reasonable duty of care and breached that duty. For instance, a drunk driver who caused an accident that claimed the life of your loved one violated that duty when they got behind the wheel. The estate’s legal counsel must also establish causation, showing that the defendant’s actions or inaction caused the decedent’s untimely demise.

In the above example, you will need to show that drunk driving caused the accident that led to your loved one’s fatal injuries. Every personal injury case is unique, but certain accidents are more likely to result in wrongful death, including:

Motor vehicle collisions
Medical errors
Work accidents
Slip-and-fall accidents
Defective product incidents

RECOVERABLE DAMAGES AFTER A FATAL ACCIDENT

Expenses can add up quickly following your loved one’s passing, and medical debt and other bills can eat up your loved one’s estate. As a result, recovering damages in a lawsuit can help the surviving family members immensely in the aftermath of a loved one’s passing.

In Alabama, the only recoverable damages in a wrongful death case are punitive damages. The jury is instructed to consider the defendant’s wrongful act and the need to punish said defendant. They can award the plaintiff punitive damages as a punishment and deterrent to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

Punitive damage aims to warn other potential defendants that they will face significant financial penalties if they act in a similarly negligent way.

ALABAMA’S TIME LIMIT FOR FILING A WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT

If your loved one was killed in a Dallas County accident and you are thinking about suing, it is advisable to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible. Under Alabama’s statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits, a personal representative must take action within two years of the deceased person’s passing. Consulting with an experienced attorney will help ensure that your family member’s estate files a lawsuit in time.

A Selma wrongful death attorney from Heninger Garrison Davis will help you meet this and other deadlines in your case. While two years may seem like a long time, time is of the essence in these cases for other reasons. Evidence can be lost or destroyed, and witnesses can forget details or become difficult to locate. The sooner you seek legal representation, the better.

CONTACT OUR LAW FIRM FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

At Heninger Garrison Davis, our attorneys have extensive experience helping clients obtain compensation after fatal accidents. However, we need time to gather evidence and build a solid case on your behalf. The sooner you speak to our experienced wrongful death lawyer in Selma, the better.

Prevailing in a wrongful death case can provide you with a sense of closure and help you recover financially after a tragic loss. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and find out how we can advocate for you during this difficult time.

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