How to Choose a Wrongful Death Attorney

Compassion is something to look for when choosing a wrongful death attorney.

According to the National Vital Statistics System, the fourth most common cause of death in 2020 was unintentional injuries, which killed nearly 60 Americans per 100,000 people. It may be impossible to predict when a tragic event will take the life of a loved one, but when it does, you need to have a reputable wrongful death lawyer on your side.

In the aftermath of losing someone close, you’ll need someone compassionate, honest, and, most importantly, experienced. However, finding an accident attorney that checks all those boxes can be difficult. The best thing you can do to ensure you hire the right wrongful death attorney is to do your research of local wrongful death lawyers. When you do, here are some important qualities to look for.

Experience with Wrongful Death Cases

All cases that a lawyer might come across are different, but few are as unique as those involving wrongful death. When you look for a wrongful death attorney, try to find someone with experience handling wrongful death suits. 

Damages from wrongful death claims are different from other personal injury cases: they involve different expenses, such as funeral costs or loss of household income, and determining who deserves what compensation is different from other cases. Cases of wrongful death are not only particularly complicated, but also require a balance between sensitivity and strength not all attorneys possess.

Whether you’re a surviving sibling, spouse, child, or other family member of the deceased, and no matter if your loved one was killed by a motor vehicle accident, medical malpractice, industrial accident, or something else, you deserve closure. The wrongful death attorneys with Gordon McKernan have the experience and expertise needed to navigate these cases with the care and compassion they deserve.

Client Reviews & Reputation

Many wrongful death lawyers will be proud to show you their most flattering reviews from previous clients, but do a little digging. Look for honest opinions from real people who have worked with them before. 

It is also key to look into any attorney’s standing with the legal community, the local community, and most importantly, with the state bar. An honest wrongful death lawyer will have nothing to hide, and it will tell you a lot about how they will handle your case.

At Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys, we believe in transparency with our clients and with the community. You can find the results we’ve been able to achieve for our clients on our website, as well as client testimonials about our service. But don’t just take our words for it—we have over 900 Google reviews from our clients that will tell you how our work has impacted them.

Payment Structure

Even in such emotional situations as that of the passing of someone close, it is important to understand the economics of hiring a lawyer to handle your wrongful death case. Look into how they structure their percentages and fees, and if they operate on a contingency basis or not. If they say you do not pay unless you win, make sure that includes the court filing costs and other “non-fee” expenses, because not all do. 

Gordon McKernan knows that when you’re mourning the loss of a loved one, the last thing you want to worry about is paying court fees or associated costs. That’s why we offer the G Guarantee for our clients: if we don’t win your case, we’ll charge you absolutely nothing.

Network & Organizations

A lot goes into pursuing a claim for wrongful death, and a good accident attorney will have a strong network of experts and specialists that they work with. If they do not, you might want to look elsewhere. Similarly, most lawyers and/or law firms belong to multiple organizations, legal and otherwise. Look for accreditations from trustworthy sources, like AVVO or the BBB.

Personal Attention

When you are selecting the right attorney to help you with your wrongful death claim, make sure you know who will actually be working on your case. The lawyer that is right for you is the one that you trust, so be certain you speak directly to the wrongful death attorney who will be working with you.

Compassionate Wrongful Death Attorneys in Louisiana

A wrongful death lawyer is there to hold your hand when you need them most.

Dealing with the death of someone you love is one of the hardest things many of us will ever have to do, and when it’s due to the negligence of someone else, your pain can be compounded. The wrongful death lawyers at Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys know you have other things on your mind than money, and you have more important things to do than worry about a lawsuit. 

That’s why the Get Gordon team is here, with offices in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, Hammond, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, Shreveport, and Zachary. Call us 888.501.7888 today to discuss your Louisiana wrongful death case at no charge, and see how we can help make this incredibly difficult time just a little easier.