“I find inspiration in helping regular people stand up to trucking companies and powerful insurance companies.”
Attorney Eric Hageman
A Wrongful Death Lawsuit Can Help Your Family Find Answers
We will work to get your family answers and a good settlement.
A 53-year-old bicyclist was killed by a semitrailer. The police report stated that the accident was the fault of the bicyclist, a wife and mother of two. The family hired us to find out the truth. We found the truck driver did not monitor his right outside mirrors during the fatal turn. The case went to trial, and the jury found in favor of the family.
Families contact us when they need a lawyer to help them through challenging times. We understand grief, shock and fear. We understand the financial challenges, and we know that families need answers and justice.
If you need a lawyer to help after the death of a loved one, we can provide the support you need to carry your family though these challenging times.
“They proved that our son didn’t die by accident and our greatest relief was to watch these lawyers work and fight for our son.”
Client Testimonial
Wrongful Death Settlements
We build cases that take into account all of our clients’ current and future needs.
$6 Million
Members of a family died in a crash caused by a a negligently repaired van.
$3.5 Million
A woman lost her unborn twins due to miscarriage.
$3 Million
A school district paid a settlement to a family who lost a child.
$2.8 Million
A husband and father was killed by a tire that had come off of a truck.
Your Questions Answered
Why do families file lawsuits?
When a loved one’s death is avoidable, unnecessary, and premature–when someone caused the loved one to die–it is so much harder to move on. Seeking justice won’t bring the loved one back, but at least it provides some measure of honor and fairness. And holding the wrongdoer accountable helps ensure that the same thing does not happen to someone else.
Who files a wrongful death lawsuit?
Wrongful death claims are governed by state laws, which require one person (generally a family member) to represent the family. This means when a lawsuit is filed that the name of that person will be on the court papers, and it will be clear that this person is acting on behalf of all of the family members who are entitled to compensation.
For example, Family A tragically loses a loved one. She is married, so the husband has a claim. She also has two children, so they also have claims to any money won in a settlement or verdict. Her parents are alive, so they may also have claims, as do other family members. The court appoints one person to represent all of these people. Generally, the family chooses the person, and it is often the spouse or another close relative. The judge generally makes the final determination regarding who will represent the family and how any money recovered is shared.
The family’s lawyer will take the legal steps necessary to file the lawsuit.
Does our family need to file a lawsuit to get compensation?
Your family may not need to file a lawsuit to get compensation because it is possible to settle a case before that happens. However, you need to talk to your lawyer about getting full and fair compensation. Also, some evidence, like corporate records if a trucking company is involved, will not be available unless a lawsuit is filed. If your family wants answers, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit.
What about medical bills?
Both state and federal laws need to be considered when determining if money recovered in a wrongful death suit has to be used for the decedent’s medical bills. Your lawyer will need to help you determine what is required by law.
What if a commercial vehicle is involved?
If a commercial vehicle is involved, the family may have the right to sue one or more companies. For example, if an 18 wheeler owned by Company A and hauling cargo for Company B caused the accident, the family may be able to sue the truck driver and companies A and B.
A thorough investigation by our lawyers may find others that are legally responsible. In a recent case, attorneys Fred Pritzker and Eric Hageman proved that the vehicle that caused the fatal crash had been negligently (carelessly) serviced prior to the crash. Fred and Eric were able to recover money for the family from the company that negligently serviced the vehicle.
What if it was a multi-vehicle crash?
We look at the chain of events to determine which driver or drivers are at fault. The family may have the right to sue even if the loved one who died was partially at fault, so it is extremely important to talk with one of our lawyers to see if your family has a case.
What if the state patrol or police report says our loved one was at fault?
You may still have a case. We recently won money in a trial for a family whose loved one was riding a bicycle in a bike lane when she was run over by a semitrailer. Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Eric Hageman found evidence that the truck driver had not seen the bicyclist because he had not carefully looked in his mirrors before and during a right turn. Below is an accident reconstruction animation one of our experts made.
How is your law firm paid?
Our law firm and lawyers are only paid if your family wins.