If you’re looking for a wrongful death lawyer in Merrillville, it’s important to meet with them at a consultation. During this meeting, you’ll have an opportunity to ask questions and get a sense of whether the lawyer has the experience, compassion, and trustworthiness to help with your wrongful death claim.
Below are a few important questions to ask a wrongful death attorney during the consultation process. We at Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. hope that this can serve as a starting point as you screen legal professionals to help you with your case. You have our sincerest condolences for your loss.
If you would like to share your story with our experienced Indiana wrongful death attorneys, contact our Merrillville law firm online. You can also request a free consultation at Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. by phone at (219) 883-2852. We are ready to listen.
How Much Experience Do You Have With Fatal Accident Cases?
Experience makes a difference in wrongful death cases. This isn’t to disparage young attorneys or new firms in the Lake County area, but simply to acknowledge that wrongful death litigation is complicated. Legal experience is very helpful when conducting investigations, building wrongful death cases, consulting expert witnesses, negotiating settlements, and representing clients in court.
Asking about an attorney’s experience can reveal a lot about who they are, how long they’ve been in practice, whether or not they’ve taken cases to trial, and if they seem qualified to help you and your family.
Do You Have Any Notable Case Results in Wrongful Death Litigation?
Ask a potential wrongful death attorney about notable wrongful death cases they’ve worked on in the past. Listen to how they talk about the surviving family members, the circumstances of the accident, and the final outcome of the case.
Learning about past case results from a wrongful death attorney can give you a sense of how they conduct themselves and how they’ll interact with you as your claim progresses. You may also get a sense of how they conduct themselves professionally and ethically based on their response.
Do You Have Experience With My Particular Type of Wrongful Death Case?
This is a way to gauge the wrongful death attorney’s relevant experience that is specific to your case. Consider these examples:
- If your loved one died in a fatal motor vehicle collision with an 18-wheeler, ask about the lawyer’s experience with truck accident litigation. Who was liable for the fatal accident? Did they take on the trucking company? What challenges or concerns did the case present?
- Similarly, if you’ve lost a loved one because a negligent doctor in Merrillville failed to diagnose a family member’s terminal illness, ask the lawyer about their experience with medical malpractice litigation. How did they show that a doctor failed to meet the standard of care?
- Say that a family member died because of long-term exposure to toxic substances at work. Has this wrongful death attorney handled these kinds of cases before? How did they demonstrate that the illness was due to working conditions?
How Do You Work With Grieving Families Who’ve Lost a Loved One?
The loss of a family member can bring up intense and complex emotions. It’s important that wrongful death attorneys be sensitive to the needs of a family in a time of mourning.
When you’re trying to find the best wrongful death lawyer in Merrillville for your claim, consider what you and your household will need emotionally during this period. Learn if this attorney can provide the right kinds of emotional support throughout the duration of the case. They may also mention resources they can connect you with for grief counseling and other needs.
What Kind of Communication Can I Expect as My Wrongful Death Case Progresses?
Ask about the types of communication you can expect from the wrongful death lawyer. Will there be regular phone calls or video conferencing? How often can you expect updates? What is the best way to reach the wrongful death attorney if issues arise?
Knowing the kinds of updates you’ll receive, how often you’ll get them, and by what means you’ll get them can be extremely helpful as your wrongful death case progresses.
How Do You Handle Legal Fees and Costs?
After losing a loved one, your household will face a new and possibly uncertain financial reality. There may be numerous concerns about how you’ll afford legal representation, particularly if your case could take some time to resolve. If the wrongful death lawyer works on a contingency fee basis, you won’t have to pay unless you get a settlement or win damages in court. Yet not all lawyers work on a contingency.
A wrongful death attorney you can trust will provide transparency about legal fees. Feel free to ask those pertinent financial questions about your case. Make sure you feel comfortable with the answers the lawyer provides.
How Much Is My Wrongful Death Case Worth?
In addition to asking about how much legal representation costs, feel free to ask about the value of your wrongful death claim. A wrongful death lawyer can help you consider how much your case could be worth.
As your attorney discusses the value of your claim, note what kinds of losses he discusses. Some wrongful death attorneys will also note additional sources of compensation you may not have recognized, helping you maximize the value of your case. While no amount of money can bring your loved one back, it can at least provide some sense of stability for the future.
What Timelines Should I Know Regarding Wrongful Death Lawsuits?
There are strict deadlines to follow when filing a wrongful death lawsuit. Ask your lawyer what timelines and deadlines to expect during your case.
In the state of Indiana, you usually have two years from the death of your loved one to file a wrongful death claim. If you miss the two-year statute of limitations, you won’t be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
The lawyer may point out potential exceptions to the two-year statute of limitations depending on the circumstances of the fatal accident and the parties involved. This is why it’s always best to speak with a wrongful death attorney in Merrillville as soon as you feel comfortable discussing what happened.
How Long Will My Wrongful Death Case Take to Resolve?
Wrongful death cases can take a while to settle and even longer if a trial is necessary. Ask the lawyer how long the case could take, and how that timeframe could affect the cost of their legal representation.
This is a chance for you to get realistic expectations about your claim and understand how much you may owe in legal fees.
What Documents Should I Bring to the Next Meeting?
If you are comfortable with the wrongful death lawyer and wish to move forward, be sure to ask them what steps to take next. Ask what they will do to get the litigation process underway and what documents and materials you can provide to help with the process.
How to Pick the Right Wrongful Death Attorney Based on These Questions
Even after asking all of your questions, you may have trouble picking the best wrongful death attorney in Merrillville for your case. The team here at Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. understands. You should not take this decision lightly.
Here are four additional bits of advice as you’re trying to find the right wrongful death lawyer for you and your family.
Consider the Lawyer’s Answers to Your Questions
Did the attorney’s answers inspire trust and confidence in you? Did their responses seem in line with your values and your needs? Was there anything they said that gave you pause or seemed questionable? Make sure to carefully evaluate the substance of what they said.
Look Up Reviews, Client Testimonials, and Complaints
Check out reviews on Google and Avvo for the wrongful death lawyer. Read client testimonials on their site and through legal directories. You can also reach out to the Indiana Office of Judicial & Attorney Regulation to learn if there have been any disciplinary actions or complaints against a particular lawyer.
Watch Videos or Visit the Attorney’s Social Media
Any video of the attorney or professional social media accounts can help you get more perspective about that person. Consider how they come across on these platforms and if what they say or do resonates with you.
Consider How the Lawyer Made You Feel
Finally, think one more time about how the lawyer made you feel when you interacted with them. Wrongful death cases can be long and difficult. Did you feel listened to and heard while meeting with the attorney? Did you feel respect and compassion as you shared your story? Did you feel like you could trust that attorney to have your best interests in mind?
We know these choices can be difficult, but we hope this information has helped you weigh your options.
Why Choose Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. for Your Wrongful Death Case
There are many law firms in Northwest Indiana, but none are quite like Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. Here are a few things that set our Merrillville wrongful death attorneys apart:
- We Have a Long History in Northwest Indiana: Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. was founded in 1988 to serve as guardians of justice in Northern Indiana. We’ve had a long history of helping working people in this part of the Hoosier State.
- Our Lawyers Have Decades of Combined Experience: Our team of attorneys has nearly five decades of combined legal experience. We bring that knowledge to every case that comes our way.
- We Take a Team Approach to Every Case: When you work with our law firm, our team collaborates with you. This team approach to cases helps us identify the best possible approach to your case.
- Free Legal Consultations: After losing a loved one, you don’t want to handle another bill or shoulder additional costs. That’s why we offer free consultations at Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. We’ll take time to listen to you because your voice deserves to be heard.
- Availability for Our Clients: Our law office takes calls at all times, and our attorneys always get back to you as soon as possible. If any questions or concerns about your case come up, our lawyers are available to offer answers and reassurance.
- Representation on a Contingency Fee Basis: At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., we work on a contingency fee basis. If we don’t win, you don’t have to pay. Our law firm succeeds only when our clients do.
Request a Free Consultation with Our Merrillville Wrongful Death Lawyers
We know that the loss of a loved one is difficult. When you are ready to learn about your legal options, we’re prepared to answer whatever questions you may have. For a free consultation with experienced wrongful death attorneys in Merrillville, IN, contact our law firm today. You can also reach us by phone at (219) 883-2852. We are here to help.