Losing a loved one is one of the most emotionally challenging experiences anyone has to go through. Even more so if it was due to an accident caused by someone else’s careless behavior. While you and your family can recover financial compensation for your loss, this can be a lengthy process and can feel like prolonging your grief.
Let the wrongful death lawyers at Baggett McCall LLC handle the legal aspects of your claim. Our team of attorneys has nearly 70 years of experience handling Lake Charles wrongful death settlements, and we can negotiate with the insurance company to find a solution for you without needing to set foot in the courtroom.
It is important to understand that a wrongful death claim is a civil matter where the family of the deceased files the case against the wrongdoer to recover financial compensation. This differs from a criminal matter, where the case is brought by the state prosecutor.
As such, states have strict eligibility criteria for those who can file a wrongful death claim and seek a settlement in Lake Charles. Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.2, a lawsuit may be filed by a decedent’s surviving family members in a certain order of priority, which includes:
Critically, this list is in descending order, which means that if one category is satisfied, then the others are ineligible. For example, if the deceased has a surviving spouse or children, they may file a claim, but the parents and siblings may not.
A wrongful death case is meant to compensate eligible family members for the loss of their loved one. In this sense, the claim seeks to recover the costs that the family endured because of the death. These costs can include:
The compensation is paid by the wrongdoer’s insurance policy, such as their auto insurance if the death was the result of a car crash.
Many people think that a wrongful death claim gets resolved in a Lake Charles courtroom, but it is possible to settle the matter before it gets that far. This involves negotiating with the insurance company and coming to an agreement where it pays the family in exchange for dismissing the case.
However, an insurance company is still a business, and its goal is to close the matter for as little cost as possible. Often, this means it will offer an amount that is well below what the family deserves. The skilled lawyers from our team know how to negotiate a fair amount with insurance companies so your family gets what they need and both sides can avoid going to court.
Lake Charles wrongful death settlements can save grieving families from the stress and uncertainty of taking their claim to trial. The experienced lawyers at Baggett McCall LLC have been helping injured people in the community for decades, and we have a solid track record of successful outcomes and can help your family get through this difficult time.
There are no up-front fees; you only pay after we have resolved your case through a settlement or a trial. Choose your lawyer carefully. Get in contact with Baggett McCall LLC for a free initial case consultation.
