Birmingham Wrongful Death Lawyers

Losing a loved one, especially at the fault of another, is a particularly painful event. Surviving family members are often left dealing with the emotional and financial burden of their loss. Birmingham wrongful death lawyers at Ifediba Law Group P.C. have effectively handled wrongful death claims on behalf of victims’ estates for over 20 years, in Birmingham and across Alabama . Contact us today for a free consultation so we may help you obtain relief. Call our office 205-933-1515 anytime.

Why Choose Us?

  • Our lawyers communicate directly with our clients, you will not have to send messages through a paralegal to reach us.
  • We provide dedicated and compassionate counsel, allowing you to focus on other matters during this difficult time.
  • Our firm has retained a 98 percent success rate over the more than 20 years we have litigated wrongful death claims.
  • We make it a point to keep our clients informed so they always know where their case is, where it’s going, and what to expect next.

Wrongful Death Laws in Alabama

Wrongful death laws in Alabama state that only the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate is allowed to file a wrongful death claim, unlike many states that allow surviving family members to do so. All damages that are awarded are then paid to the estate. If the defendant is not facing criminal charges related to the death, a wrongful death claim can still be filed in a civil court.

Alabama also differs from other states as far as the availability of damages. Other states allow wrongful death plaintiffs to pursue compensatory damages for losses such as medical bills, the loss of future earnings, loss of companionship, emotional distress, and pain and suffering. However, the state of Alabama only allows for punitive damages.

 Punitive damages are designed to punish the defendant for their negligent actions as well as deter others from committing similar misconduct. Any punitive damages awarded in a wrongful death lawsuit are not made a part of the estate, as they are in other states, they are paid to the heirs of the deceased.

A wrongful death claim must be filed in an Alabama civil court within two years of the date of the death. However, if the claim is against a city then a notice of claim must be filed within 6 months of the incident, prior to filing suit. Similarly, a notice of claim against a county must be filed before filing suit as well, but within one year of the incident.

WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS

Due to the small window of time to file suit, it’s critical to contact an experienced Alabama Wrongful Death Attorney immediately so they may begin conducting a thorough investigation, preserving evidence, and setting up an estate if needed.

Birmingham wrongful death lawyers will also assist you in determining an adequate figure for measuring punitive damages. Most lawyers will begin by considering the victim’s age and health at the time of their death. They then will look at factors such as the deceased’s income at the time of death, their earning capacity, future lost earnings, any medical bills and funeral expenses.

Many wrongful death cases move into a jury trial. Having an attorney well versed in wrongful death cases advocating for your loved one will maximize your chances of obtaining full and fair damages.

Contact Ifediba Law Group, P.C. Today

We understand how difficult this time is in your life. Our highly experienced wrongful death lawyers are ready to help you navigate the complex legal system in Alabama and pursue the best possible outcome to your claim. Call today for a free, no obligation consultation.

FREE CONSULTATION

YOU WON’T PAY US ANYTHING UNTIL WE’VE WON YOUR CASE

Law firm Logo

Skip to content