WRONGFUL DEATH ATTORNEY

Losing a loved one, especially when it’s the result of a preventable accident or illness caused by another person’s action or inaction, is an experience none of us want to endure. All emotions aside, however, wrongful death cases can take a financial toll. On behalf of the estate (typically), survivors (usually family members) can often file a wrongful death lawsuit in Alabama. Though these claims are never what a person wants to do, they are often necessary and practical for the mere financial aspect.

At Shaun Capps Injury Law, our Birmingham wrongful death attorney is a compassionate and experienced advocate for grieving families. We understand what you are going through and will persevere to obtain the best possible legal outcome. Contact us today at 205-955-5555 to schedule a FREE Case Evaluation. In the meantime, here’s an overview of what a wrongful death claim in Alabama may involve. If you have any specific questions, please reach out to us as soon as possible.

What Constitutes a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Alabama

When someone dies as a result of the negligence or misconduct of another person, the family of the deceased person may file a wrongful death claim against the person at fault. A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil lawsuit brought against an individual, company, or government agency. To prove negligence, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant owed a duty of care to the deceased, breached that duty through action or inaction, and directly caused the death as a result. Every fatal accident should be thoroughly investigated by an experienced Birmingham wrongful death lawyer. Our attorney will gather the evidence that you need to build a strong, compelling case. 

Compensation Through A Wrongful Death Claim

The loss of a close family member to an accident that never should have happened is heartbreaking and gut wrenching. There is no amount of money that will ever be enough to fix a fatal accident. At the same time, financial compensation is the primary remedy that is available through a civil wrongful death claim. Further, your family needs full financial support to get through difficult times. In a wrongful death claim in Alabama, a plaintiff can seek compensation for things like:

• lost income
• medical expenses prior to the death
• funeral and burial expenses
• pain and suffering
• lost companionship
• lost prospect of inheritance

How To Establish Liability In A Wrongful Death Claim In Alabama

While the specific laws vary between states to establish a wrongful death claim, a plaintiff generally needs to show the cause of death by satisfying four elements.

1. The plaintiff owed a duty of care to the deceased person (also referred to as the decedent).
2. They breached this duty of care (either negligently or intentionally).
3. This breach caused the decedent’s wrongful death.
4. The plaintiff suffered losses as a result.

After establishing these elements, it then turns on the question of who can file the wrongful death claim in Alabama.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Alabama?

Alabama has strict rules and regulations for who can bring a wrongful death claim. Unfortunately, not all people who were impacted by the death of the victim have rights under state law. Wrongful death lawsuits are usually brought by a representative of the decedent’s estate (often the executor) on behalf of or with survivors who suffered financially as a result of the death, referred to as the “real parties in interest”.

The definition of a real party in interest depends on the jurisdiction. In most states, they are the immediate family members of the decedent, including: 

• Wives
• Husbands
• Children
• Parents of young children

Many states also recognize life partners who were financially dependent on the decedent. 

Relationships beyond immediate family members or life partners may not be eligible to file a wrongful death suit, depending on the relevant law. For example, only some states recognize extended family members like grandparents and siblings. Some states also recognize parents of a deceased fetus as real parties in interest. If you have any specific questions about who should file the lawsuit, our Birmingham, AL wrongful death lawyers are here to get you answers.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death Claims in Alabama

Fatal accidents can happen for many different reasons. At Shaun Capps Injury Law, we are qualified to handle the full range of wrongful death lawsuits. No matter the cause or nature of the fatal incident, we are here to fight for justice for your family. Wrongful death claims often arise in the context of the following.

• Car accidents, especially those involving drunk drivers. If the case involves intoxication, the lawsuit may also name the person who served the driver alcohol as a defendant
• Other auto accidents or related-auto accidents, including those involving commercial trucks, semi-trucks, motorcycles, boats, pedestrians, and bicyclists
• Medical malpractice, when a practitioner fails to provide an acceptable level of care that leads to a misdiagnosis, surgical mistake, prescription error, birth injury, or any other harm
• Product liability, e.g., a defective medication causes someone’s death
• Airplane accidents, where the airline, plane manufacturer, or pilot may be named as defendants
• Workplace accidents or construction accidents, including deaths caused by falls, falling objects, improper training, or exposure to toxic substances
• Premise liability accidents, e.g., a slip and fall or another accident occurring on someone else’s property

What Are Common Defenses to Wrongful Death Claims in Alabama?

The defenses available to a defendant in a wrongful death claim and their application vary between states. If you are the plaintiff, it is important to know what potential defenses are so that you can be prepared to argue against them. 

Some common defenses include:

• Expiration of the statute of limitations, where the plaintiff has filed their claim beyond the deadline and is now ineligible to recover
• Comparative or contributory negligence, where the defendant alleges the decedent’s negligence contributed to their death
• Assumption of risk, where the decedent knew about the risk associated with an activity or signed a waiver or release accepting it
• Self-defense, where the defendant says they used reasonable force against the decedent to protect themself from the decedent causing serious harm to them

Whether a specific defense applies depends on the circumstances of the case. It’s also important to remember that just because a defense is invoked, it does not mean you can’t argue against it. When a defense is invoked, the defendant must prove it. 

The standard of proof in a wrongful death action is the civil standard of a preponderance of the evidence. In other words, it is more likely than not that the defendant’s actions resulted in the wrongful death.

Be Proactive: Wrongful Death Statute Of Limitations In Alabama

If you lost a loved one and believe you may have a wrongful death claim but are unsure, we can help you understand what your legal options are. Time is of the essence, though. The statute of limitations begins running at the time of death, and the period to file a claim is often shorter than it is for any other type of personal injury claim. In Alabama, there is a two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits. Very few exceptions apply. For instance, if your case involves a municipality, you face a shorter deadline of 6 months. For your own benefit, we urge you to not fall behind in the claims process. To know how long you have to file a claim in any specific case, you should speak to a lawyer as soon as possible.

How Our Birmingham Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help

The loss of a loved one to an accident that never should have happened is heartbreaking. It is a terrible tragedy for any family. Our founding attorney Shaun Capps is committed to fighting for justice for grieving families. We are proactive and we are focused on justice. Along with other things, our Birmingham wrongful death lawyers are prepared to: 

• Hear your story and answer questions about Alabama’s wrongful death laws; 
• Conduct a comprehensive investigation of your case—gathering evidence to prove fault; 
• Handle wrongful death claims paperwork and settlement negotiations with insurers; and
• Take your wrongful death claim as far as needed to get the best possible outcome.

Contact Shaun Capps for a FREE Case Evaluation Today

You should be able to focus on grieving during challenging times. Our firm will handle all of your legal needs. Contact Shaun Capps Injury Law today by filling out the online form or calling us at 205-955-5555. We will schedule a FREE Case Evaluation with our wrongful death attorney so that you can get the legal advice and representation you need. From our law office in Birmingham, we handle wrongful death claims in Jefferson County and throughout all of North-Central Alabama.