Wrongful Death
Alabama's wrongful death law is different than any other in the United States. If the injured person is still alive when a lawsuit is filed, certain laws apply. Other laws take effect if the injured person has died before filing suit. The Dothan law firm of Morris, Cary, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC has handled numerous wrongful death cases and can help you receive compensation for your loss.
In Alabama, whenever possible it is best to file the lawsuit while the injured person is still alive. This allows the family to receive payment for such losses as medical bills, loss of income, mental anguish suffered by a surviving spouse or child, and pain and suffering. These categories of losses are called compensatory damages and are meant to compensate for the loss. These damages are only collectable in Alabama if the victim is still alive at the time a lawsuit is filed. If suit is not filed in Alabama until after the injured person's death, the family can only file for punitive damages. This is money paid to a victim's family to punish the wrongdoer and to deter similar events from happening. Though punitive damages can be large, they are much more difficult to prove and can require lengthy court procedures.
Because Alabama treats the wrongful death of an injured person so differently than other states in the nation, it is important to consult an attorney as soon as possible.
If the injured person is not physically or mentally able to pursue a lawsuit, a family member or friend may petition the court for the authority to sue on behalf of the injured person. However, the same before-death / after-death restrictions apply. Call us toll free at 1-800-638-3665 to arrange a free consultation.
Attorneys who will work for you.
Free consultation. No recovery, no fee.
Morris, Cary, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC
3334 Ross Clark Circle 36303
Post Office Box 1649
Dothan, Alabama, 36302
334-792-1420
800-638-3665 toll free
334-673-0077 facsimile
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