Losing someone is always hard, but when you suspect foul play, it is even harder to cope with the loss. Filing a wrongful death claim due to medical malpractice might not be the first thing on your mind after you’ve lost someone, but this is how you can hold the guilty party responsible for their acts.
The process of filing such a claim is complex and you need legal assistance from a lawyer who is experienced in such cases. Knowing what to do and when can make the difference between success and failure.
Do shut down your social media accounts
According to the law, everything you post online can be used in a trial. Attorneys Serving All of Central Indiana say that you should deactivate your social accounts from the moment you decide to file a wrongful death claim. If you can, also deactivate the deceased one’s accounts, as the lawyers can use the information posted online to fight against you.
Do tell the truth
Your lawyer needs to know the entire truth about your case, in order to represent your case in front of the court and in front of the insurance companies. Being honest at all times is going to help you build your case, especially when you will have to give testimonies or appear as a witness in court.
Do ask questions
Your lawyer is there to represent you and provide support in process of filing a wrongful death claim. It is important to ask them about any doubt you may have regarding the case or the strategy they plan to use. Your lawyer should provide you with updates on the case status and pursue the best leads for your case. A good cooperation between you and your legal team is the key towards winning the case, if you are right, so be as open as possible to your lawyer, even if you are grieving.
Don’t expect a quick settlement
A wrongful death claim is not easy to settle, as there are a lot of evidences to be gathered. Your lawyer needs time to build the case, which is likely to last months, if not years. These types of claims are not settled in a couple of days, due to their complexity, so don’t try to rush your lawyer. Also, anyone who is telling you they can settle a wrongful death claim in a couple of weeks is not aware of the complexity of these cases.
Don’t get involved in the case too much
When you hire a lawyer to help you file a claim, let them do their job. Don’t try to do detective work; don’t try to take things in your own hands, as this can ruin the entire case. Always talk when your lawyer is present, as anything you say might be used against you.
Try to focus on recovering from the trauma and leave the case to the specialists. You won’t be able to bring your loved one back, but you can hold the people who lead to their death responsible and stop them from doing this again.