Losing a loved one is always difficult, but the pain can be even more overwhelming when their death results from an avoidable accident caused by someone else’s negligence. If you are grieving the loss of a spouse, parent, child, or another close family member, our Selma personal injury lawyer is here to help you seek justice. You don’t have to face the future with financial uncertainty alone.
At the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown, we have three decades of experience and are committed to empowering our clients with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions. Our wrongful death lawyer in Selma can handle your claim while you take the time you need to grieve. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Our Wrongful Death Attorney in Selma Provides Personalized Attention to Each Client
When you’re coping with the loss of a family member, the last thing you want to deal with is a lawsuit. However, if your loved one died because of someone else’s wrongdoing, you and your family have a right to hold the negligent party responsible, and Attorney Dwayne Brown can walk you through the legal process of pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit step by step.
You shouldn’t have to suffer financially when you’re already experiencing so much emotional trauma. Attorney Brown has secured over $100 million in settlements and judgments for our clients, including the following wrongful death case results:
- $11.5 million recovery for the family of an eighteen-wheeler accident
- $5.5 million for the children of a fatal pedestrian accident victim
- $3 million for the child of a fatal motor vehicle accident victim
- $2.65 million for the family of a fatal truck accident victim
At our personal injury law firm, we put our clients first. We want to learn how your loved one’s passing has affected your life. We want you to feel like you have a personal relationship with our firm because we care about your well-being and future. We will check on you frequently to see how you’re doing and find out if there’s anything more we can do to help you as you process this incredibly difficult loss.
We only serve a small number of clients at a time to ensure we can give your case the attention it deserves. We’ll provide frequent updates and prompt answers to your questions as we work toward your goals.
Our personal injury attorney also works on a contingency fee basis, so you’ll pay nothing upfront or out of pocket to secure legal representation when you need it most. To learn more about what we can do for you during this challenging time, contact the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown today.
What Damages Are Available in Selma Wrongful Death Claims?
Unlike many other U.S. states that allow surviving family members to collect compensatory wrongful death damages (such as funeral expenses, loss of household income, and loss of companionship), Alabama only allows punitive damages in wrongful death claims.
Punitive damages are designed to punish negligent parties for their wrongdoing and discourage others from exhibiting the same or similar behavior in the future. The amount of punitive damages awarded will depend on how harmful the defendant’s actions were, their financial status, and the behavior to be discouraged.
Per AL Code § 6-11-21, Alabama’s punitive damage caps do not apply to wrongful death claims. While most cases are resolved with an out-of-court settlement, we won’t hesitate to take your case to trial if necessary to recover the justice you deserve.
What Qualifies as a Wrongful Death in Selma, Alabama?
We represent clients in a wide range of personal injury cases. A wrongful death could result in a variety of ways due to negligent actions, such as the following types of accidents:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Construction accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home neglect
- Premises liability accidents
- Dangerous or defective products
Specific examples may include a drunk driver running a red light and causing a fatal collision, a manufacturer that knowingly sends a dangerous product to market, or a pharmacist who gives someone the wrong prescription, causing a fatal drug interaction or overdose.
To qualify for a wrongful death claim in Alabama, you must have “clear and convincing evidence” that the at-fault party “consciously or deliberately engaged in oppression, fraud, wantonness, or malice” when they caused your loved one’s death, per AL Code § 6-11-20.
Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about collecting evidence of the negligent party’s wrongdoing alone. Your Selma wrongful death lawyer will do that for you.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Alabama?
Per AL Code § 6-5-410, in most cases, the decedent’s personal representative must file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit on behalf of the decedent’s heirs. If the decedent doesn’t have a will that designates a personal representative, the court can appoint one.
Alabama has complex intestate succession laws, which determine how any recovered damages will be divided among living heirs. Because each family situation is unique, your Selma wrongful death attorney can explain how your financial award will be divided among your family members.
The Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Alabama
The decedent’s personal representative generally has two years from the decedent’s date of death to take legal action. This may sound like a long time, but the legal process is not quick. Your family’s Selma wrongful death lawyer will need time to gather evidence and build a compelling case, so we encourage you to contact our law firm as soon as possible to get the process started.
Connect With Our Wrongful Death Lawyer in Selma, Alabama
When you’re grieving a loved one’s death, you deserve compassionate legal support, and that’s exactly what you’ll get when you turn to the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown. Our wrongful death attorney in Selma will handle all the hard work of your legal claim while you spend time with your family and honor your loved one’s memory.
To learn whether you qualify to pursue wrongful death damages in a claim or lawsuit, contact the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown today for a free initial consultation.
