Wrongful death attorneys in nashville
Losing a loved one due to someone else’s actions is devastating, leaving families to grapple with overwhelming grief and unexpected financial challenges.
Whether it’s a tragic car accident caused by a reckless driver or a workplace incident that should have been prevented, these situations leave a lasting impact on those left behind.
During these difficult moments, a wrongful death claim can hold the responsible parties accountable and provide a way to seek justice for your loved one.
Our Nashville wrongful death lawyers are dedicated to compassionately guiding families through this process and helping them secure the compensation needed for funeral expenses, lost income, and other financial strains.
We’re here to support you through every step, allowing you to focus on healing while we fight for the justice your family deserves.
FREE CASE REVIEWWhat is a Wrongful Death Claim?
A wrongful death claim allows the surviving family members of a deceased person to seek compensation when their loved one’s death results from another party’s negligence.
Family members such as spouses, children, or parents often pursue these claims to recover damages for funeral costs, lost wages, and the emotional toll of losing their loved one.
While no legal outcome replaces the loss, a wrongful death claim provides a means to address the financial and emotional impacts of a preventable tragedy.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Nashville
In Nashville, several situations frequently result in tragic losses.
Below are the most common causes:
Car Accidents
Nashville’s busy roads see a high number of collisions each year. When drivers speed, drive under the influence, or fail to obey traffic laws, serious accidents often occur.
Medical Malpractice
Patients trust healthcare providers to offer competent care, but mistakes in diagnosis, surgery, or treatment can lead to fatal consequences.
Sometimes, a doctor’s failure to recognize symptoms or administer proper care leads to a loss that should never have happened.
Families often face complex questions about what went wrong, and holding healthcare professionals accountable is a critical step in seeking justice.
Workplace Accidents
Nashville’s construction sites, warehouses, and factories are prone to dangerous conditions that put workers at risk. Faulty equipment, insufficient safety measures, and inadequate training result in fatal accidents.
Employers have a duty to provide safe working conditions, and when they fail, families mourn the loss of a loved one who simply wanted to make an honest living.
Dangerous Property Conditions
Property owners have a responsibility to maintain safe premises. Yet, hazards like faulty wiring, slippery surfaces, or poorly maintained structures lead to fatal accidents.
Defective Products
Consumers trust that the products they buy and use are safe. When manufacturers cut corners, release products with dangerous defects, or fail to warn about potential risks, lives are jeopardized.
Pursuing a wrongful death claim addresses the negligence that led to the loss, offering a way to seek accountability and relief for families navigating the aftermath of these heartbreaking events.
Compensation Available for Wrongful Death Claims
When a loved one dies because of someone else’s negligence or misconduct, the surviving family members face not only emotional pain but also financial burdens.
A wrongful death claim provides a way to seek compensation for the losses suffered.
Here are the types of compensation families may recover in these cases:
Funeral and Burial Expenses
Funeral and burial expenses are often an immediate concern. The cost of saying goodbye to a loved one is overwhelming, and these expenses come as an unexpected financial burden on families already struggling with their loss.
Medical Bills
Medical bills add up quickly, especially if the deceased received treatment before passing. Hospital stays, surgeries, and emergency care services create significant financial strain.
Lost Income and Financial Support
The sudden loss of a family member often means losing a crucial source of income. Compensation helps to cover the earnings the deceased would have provided, including lost wages and benefits.
Loss of Companionship and Emotional Distress
The absence of a loved one leaves a profound void. Compensation for loss of companionship recognizes the emotional suffering experienced by those closest to the deceased.
Loss of Parental Guidance and Support
For children who lose a parent, the impact extends beyond financial support.
Compensation for the loss of parental guidance addresses the void left when a parent’s love, mentorship, and care are no longer present.
Pain and Suffering of the Deceased
In cases where the deceased suffered before passing, compensation may address their pain and suffering.
This aspect of a wrongful death claim recognizes the physical and emotional distress the deceased experienced due to the injury or incident that led to their death.
Each form of compensation serves to address a different aspect of the losses families face after a wrongful death.
While no amount of money replaces the presence of a loved one, these awards ease the financial impact, allowing families to focus on their healing journey.
Why Choose Us?
Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys is a nationally recognized firm that stands out for its dedication to pedestrian accident survivors and a rock-hard commitment to achieving results.
With a presence across Tennessee and the country, we bring deep-rooted local experience with the strength of a large, influential legal team.
With over 500 legal professionals, we have the experience and resources to stand up to even the most resistant insurance companies, ensuring you receive all the compensation you’re entitled to.
Here’s why Nashville wrongful death accident survivors trust Alexander Shunnarah:
- Proven Results: Our attorneys have recovered over $1.5 billion in compensation for accident victims, providing the financial support they need to rebuild their lives after a crash.
- Client Satisfaction: Numerous five-star reviews show that we prioritize client care. Clients commend our transparency, dedication, and unwavering commitment to achieving the best outcomes, even in challenging cases.
- Aggressive Representation: We don’t back down regarding your rights. Our team pushes for the highest compensation possible through skillful negotiation and, when needed, a willingness to take your case to trial.
- Local Experience, National Reach: With a deep understanding of Tennessee law and a robust nationwide network, we offer personalized, local service with the strength and resources of a major law firm.
- No Fees Unless We Win: Our contingency fee arrangement means you won’t pay anything upfront. You only pay when we secure a favorable outcome for your case, making top-quality representation accessible without financial risk.
By choosing our Nashville personal injury lawyers at Alexander Shunnarah, you’re selecting a firm that relentlessly advocates for your pedestrian rights and pursues the best outcome.
Focus on your recovery. We’ll handle the rest.
The Process of Filing a Wrongful Death Claim in Nashville
Filing a wrongful death claim involves several key steps, each crucial for building a strong case. While this process can feel overwhelming, having the right legal support helps families navigate the journey and pursue justice for their loved ones. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
Initial Consultation. The first step involves meeting with a wrongful death attorney to discuss the details of your case. During this consultation, you’ll share information about your loved one’s passing, the circumstances surrounding the incident, and any evidence you have.
This meeting helps determine if there is a valid wrongful death claim and outlines the next steps.
Investigation and Gathering Evidence. After the consultation, a thorough investigation begins. This stage involves gathering evidence such as medical records, police reports, witness statements, and expert opinions to build a solid foundation for the claim.
Filing the Claim. Once the evidence has been collected, your attorney will formally file the wrongful death claim in the appropriate court.
This step involves drafting a detailed complaint that outlines the facts of the case, the legal basis for the claim, and the compensation being sought.
Filing the claim initiates the legal process and notifies the responsible parties of your intent to seek damages.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies. Insurance companies representing the responsible party often attempt to settle the claim outside court.
This stage involves negotiation, where your attorney will work to secure a fair settlement covering your family’s losses.
Having skilled legal representation during these negotiations is important to avoid being pressured into accepting a lower offer than you deserve.
Litigation and Trial (if necessary). If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, the case may proceed to trial. Both sides present evidence and arguments before a judge or jury during this phase.
Your attorney advocates on your behalf to prove the responsible party’s actions caused your loved one’s death. While trials can be lengthy, they offer an opportunity to seek justice when other avenues don’t lead to a satisfactory resolution.
Throughout this process, having a dedicated wrongful death lawyer by your side helps you focus on your healing while they handle the legal complexities.
Pursuing a claim is not just about financial compensation; it’s a way to seek accountability and find a sense of closure during a difficult time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between wrongful death and personal injury claims?
A wrongful death claim arises when someone’s negligence or intentional actions lead to the death of another person. It is filed by the surviving family members to seek compensation for their losses.
Who can file a wrongful death claim in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, the right to file a wrongful death claim typically belongs to the deceased person’s spouse. If there is no surviving spouse, the right passes to the deceased’s children or next of kin.
What types of damages are recoverable in a wrongful death claim?
Wrongful death claims in Tennessee may recover compensation for various losses, including funeral and burial expenses, medical bills incurred before the death, lost wages and future earnings, loss of companionship, and pain and suffering experienced by the deceased.
How long does a wrongful death claim take to resolve?
The timeline for resolving a wrongful death claim varies depending on factors such as the case’s complexity, the parties’ willingness to settle, and whether the claim proceeds to trial.
What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim is generally one year from the date of the deceased person’s death. Filing within this timeframe is crucial to preserving your right to seek compensation.
What if the deceased was partially at fault for the accident?
Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means that if the deceased person was found to be partially at fault for the incident that led to their death, the compensation may be reduced by the percentage of fault.