The devastating loss of a loved one in a sudden and unexpected accident can turn your life upside down. You may not know where to turn or what to do next. You probably have many questions about you and your family’s future: what impact your loved one’s untimely death will have on your financial future, how long a case will take to get resolved, and so forth. The information below is intended to assist you in hiring the best wrongful death lawyer serving Lodi, California, for your case. 

If you speak with a lawyer specializing in tax law, you should probably not hire them for your wrongful death lawsuit. Specialization is essential in law since many attorneys require years of intensive experience to become effective litigators. 

Attorneys who focus on personal injury and wrongful death cases understand the complex aspects of this area of law. Many have tried these cases in local Lodi courthouses and know which jurisdictions may provide the best outcome for your case. You want the best legal representation possible, and experience in a particular area of law is essential to the quality of legal representation.

This is important because you should have a Lodi wrongful death attorney responsive to your questions and concerns. If the prospective attorney has a crushing caseload, this is an indicator that you may not get the care and attention you deserve. 

On a related note, you should ask the lawyer how quickly they respond to e-mails and phone calls. You should also ask if their paralegal or legal assistant will be the primary point of contact or if you can get the attorney on the phone when you need them.

Your Lodi wrongful death lawyer must be protected by malpractice insurance. Think of malpractice insurance as a security blanket for your claim. This type of insurance protects the lawyer’s finances and you and your wrongful death case. For example, if your attorney makes a case-ending error like failing to file your lawsuit within the applicable statute of limitations, you can continue your pursuit of financial recovery. But it will be with your lawyer’s malpractice insurance company. You can pursue similar damages in the context of the missed financial recovery that could have been obtained if the error had not been committed.

Specialization is essential, but an actual track record of success is more important. You must ask about the lawyer’s success rate in reaching sizable settlements and jury verdicts in similar cases. If you speak to a Lodi wrongful death attorney who has never tried a case before a jury, you should consider looking elsewhere for legal representation. You need an injury lawyer who is not afraid to file suit and take your case to a trial by jury.

The following YouTube video explains more about a wrongful death claim.

If a personal injury and wrongful death lawyer are attempting to charge you an hourly fee or some hefty retainer fee, you should look elsewhere for representation. Why? Because the vast majority of personal injury and wrongful death attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis. The lawyer’s pay is contingent upon securing a settlement or verdict in your favor. This properly aligns the incentives between you and your Lodi wrongful death lawyer. Both of you want to achieve a successful outcome in the case.

When you hire a wrongful death attorney in Lodi, there is an agreement that both you and your lawyer enter into stating the scope of representation. This is a contract with stipulations and requirements. If you breach this agreement and decide to hire another lawyer, there may be ramifications (though it depends largely on where in the case you decide to leave your current firm). This is why you must ensure you ask for a copy of the agreement and know its provisions.

Most importantly, do you feel confident with your attorney and their legal team? This is a critical question you need to ask yourself. This is your case, and you must actively participate in achieving a successful outcome.

Remember, there is no pressure to sign an agreement during the consultation. You have every right to take the necessary time to make the right decision. If you leave the consultation with more questions than answers and have a general sense of unease, consider interviewing another attorney before agreeing to sign anything.

You need to ask the above-described questions because the California wrongful death attorney you choose can tremendously impact the outcome of your case. With the right wrongful death attorney serving Lodi, CA, fighting for you, your chances of getting the settlement or verdict for your harms and losses increase significantly.

The accidental death of a loved one can be devastating and life-changing. If someone you love suffered a fatal injury because of someone else’s negligence, call our Lodi wrongful death lawyers at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly, and compassionate advice on your potential claim today.

We are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

See our client reviews on Avvo, Google, and Yelp and our past cases on our Verdicts and Settlements page.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 7.25.23] sb [CS 948] Photo by Pixabay}