Have you recently suffered the unexpected death of a spouse, parent, or child in an accident in Birmingham, Alabama? If so, you are not alone in this difficult time. At Singleton Schreiber, we may be able to help you hold the responsible party accountable for their actions by filing a wrongful death claim.
Singleton Schreiber is a nationally respected personal injury law firm dedicated to protecting the rights and interests of accident victims and their families. We’re award-winning Alabama trial attorneys with decades of combined experience. As fierce and relentless advocates for justice, our law firm has helped clients win over $3 billion in monetary awards.
Don’t let the party responsible for your loved one’s wrongful death off the hook. Make sure they’re held accountable by putting our top-rated legal team in your corner. There’s no charge for an initial case review, so contact our Alabama law office in Birmingham today.
Why Singleton Schreiber is the Leading Choice of Grieving Families in Birmingham, AL
You have one opportunity to file a wrongful death lawsuit. You’re going to face a lot of pushback and resistance along the way. Expect the insurance company to do everything within its considerable power to prevent you from getting money for your loss.
You can put yourself on a level playing field by hiring an experienced Birmingham personal injury lawyer to handle your wrongful death case.
Families in Birmingham know that Singleton Schreiber can do much more than level the playing field – it can provide the advantage that’ll be required to win a life-changing monetary award.
We’re fearless advocates with a multi-billion-dollar track record of success. More importantly, we’re local Alabama trial attorneys with access to our law firm’s national resources. Choosing our law firm means getting personalized and powerful representation designed to leverage maximum case results.
We offer a free consultation, so don’t hesitate to reach out to our Birmingham law office for help. Members of our legal team are available 24/7 to answer your questions, provide preliminary insight into your options, and help you figure out the next steps.
How Does Alabama Define Wrongful Death?
In Alabama, wrongful death actions are outlined in AL Code Section 6-5-410, where “wrongful death” is defined as a death caused by the “wrongful act, omission, or negligence of any person, persons, or corporation.”
Put another way, a wrongful death is one that’s caused by someone’s careless behavior, an intentional act of violence, or a defective product.
A wrongful death claim can be brought under state law if the decedent would have been able to file a personal injury lawsuit for damages if they’d survived.
What Are the Leading Causes of Wrongful Death?
At Singleton Schreiber, we appreciate that under the right circumstances, almost any accident or criminal act can be fatal.
We’re prepared to represent families in wrongful death claims arising from:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bus accidents
- RV accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Boating accidents
- Aviation accidents
- Product liability
- Assault
- Sexual assault
- Negligent security
- Slip and fall accidents
- Swimming pool accidents
- Dog bites
- Wildfires
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Maritime accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse
- Birth injuries
If you suspect that your family member’s death could have been avoided, don’t hesitate to call our Alabama wrongful death attorneys in Birmingham to discuss your case. We can listen to your story, evaluate your legal options, and explain how we might be able to help you recover compensation for your loss.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Alabama?
In Alabama, the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit belongs to the personal representative of the decedent’s estate. The personal representative is either named in the decedent’s will or, if they die intestate, is appointed by a judge.
There is one major exception under AL Code Section 6-5-391: the wrongful death of a child under the age of 19. When a minor or 18-year-old dies, their parents have six months to file a wrongful death claim for damages. If the child isn’t survived by their parents or if the parents don’t bring a claim within in six months, the personal representative of the child’s estate can do so.
What Damages Can Be Awarded in an Alabama Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Alabama handles wrongful death litigation differently from most other states. While plaintiffs in other states can pursue compensatory damages for things like medical bills, lost financial support, and loss of consortium, Alabama only allows punitive damages in wrongful death cases.
How Can a Birmingham Wrongful Death Attorney Help Me?
It’s hard to lose someone you love. It can be even more difficult when you’re robbed of the ability to say goodbye. You need time to grieve your loss and figure out how to move forward. Hiring an experienced Alabama wrongful death lawyer in Birmingham gives you an opportunity to put the pieces of your life back together and sets you up for the kind of financial recovery you deserve.
When you choose Singleton Schreiber to handle your wrongful death case in Alabama, you’ll be able to count on our award-winning litigators to:
- Explain your family’s legal rights and options, and to provide helpful guidance and support during the wrongful death claims process
- Coordinate a thorough, independent investigation into the underlying circumstances of your family member’s death
- Gather evidence to prove that your family member’s death was caused by the wrongful act, omission, or negligence of any person, persons, or corporation.
- File your wrongful death lawsuit with the at-fault party’s insurance company and/or local Jefferson County court clerk
- Initiate settlement negotiations with the at-fault party and their insurance carrier in an attempt to leverage a monetary award for your family without having to litigate your wrongful death lawsuit at trial
- Help you weigh the pros and cons of accepting or rejecting a settlement offer and ultimately making informed decisions about how to resolve your wrongful death claim
- Take your wrongful death lawsuit to a jury and fight for the maximum case results you deserve
We know how to build a winning wrongful death case, force meaningful negotiations, and help your family achieve the financial justice it deserves in the wake of a tragedy. Put our experience, resources, and knowledge of Alabama law to work for your benefit by contacting our law office in Birmingham today.
What Does it Cost to Hire a Wrongful Death Attorney in Birmingham?
Our Alabama wrongful death lawyers in Birmingham know that losing a family member in a tragic accident is one of the most stressful things you’ll ever experience. It can affect just about every aspect of your life and impose considerable financial burdens. Hiring an attorney to help you fight for compensation should make life easier, not more challenging. That’s why we offer contingency-based representation.
You won’t pay a thing to our personal injury law firm unless we win compensation for your wrongful death case.
When we secure a settlement agreement or win a verdict for your family at trial, our attorney fees and any costs we’ve invested are paid out of that monetary award.
There’s no risk in asking for our help. If we don’t win, you pay nothing.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Alabama?
In Alabama, the personal representative has two years from the date of a victim’s passing to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Very rarely are there exceptions to the two-year statute of limitations, most often involving fraud or an inability to locate or serve a defendant.
Never assume you’ll have additional time to file a wrongful death claim. Once the statute of limitations runs out, you forfeit the right to take legal action and demand financial justice for your loved one’s death.
Experienced Birmingham Wrongful Death Attorneys Ready to Fight For Your Family
You’ve suffered a devastating loss. Money won’t bring them back to you, but it can make a huge difference as you navigate life in the wake of their death. Even if you have the right to take legal action, wrongful death litigation can be incredibly challenging. Don’t try to figure it out on your own. Call the nationally acclaimed legal team at Singleton Schreiber for help.
Our Birmingham wrongful death lawyers are trusted and skilled legal advocates dedicated to fighting for grieving families in Alabama. Recognized as leaders in civil litigation, our law firm has helped clients recover billions in financial awards. Now, our local attorneys are ready to invest national resources into your wrongful death case, too.
Contact our law office in Birmingham to schedule a free consultation. We’re here to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
