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How Long Will My Wrongful Death Case Take To Settle

Many people are under the impression that a criminal suit is the only way to sue someone for a person's death. However, that would be incorrect. A criminal lawsuit and a civil lawsuit are two entirely different matters as the world discovered during the O.J. Simpson wrongful death civil lawsuit.

What Is A Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

If you suspect that someone committed an action that prematurely caused a family member to die, then you should consult a lawyer. Wrongful death claims can be filed in addition to criminal charges. The criminal and civil charges are not connected to each other. A defendant may be found guilty in one case but not guilty in another. A defendant found guilty in a criminal case may face jail time or the death penalty, but when you file a wrongful death claim, all you can ask for is financial compensation.

What Are The Grounds For A Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Generally, the grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit fall under negligence, reckless acts or intentional acts. Negligence can include things like driving under the influence, medical malpractice and not fixing safety issues in a building. Reckless acts can include things like drag racing and playing with loaded guns. An example of an intentional act would be murder. Consult a wrongful death attorney to find out if your grounds are good enough to start a lawsuit.

How Long Will My Wrongful Death Case Take To Settle?

It's hard to say how long a wrongful death case will take to settle. Every case is different, and it would be wrong for your lawyer to estimate how long your case will take to settle without doing a thorough evaluation. Sometimes, it will not be possible for your case to be settled, and you will have to resort to a trial. Although it may not be possible to estimate how long it will take to settle a case, don't anticipate on having the whole thing resolved within a few weeks. The odds are it will take at least a few months before you can even think of settling.

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