Dealing with the loss of a loved one is never easy, and when their death is the result of someone else's negligence or intentional actions, it can be even more difficult. In these situations, a wrongful death claim may be necessary to help the surviving family members receive compensation for their loss. However, navigating the world of insurance companies and their role in wrongful death claims can be a daunting task. This step-by-step guide will help you better understand the process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
1. Understand the Basics of Wrongful Death Claims
Before diving into the role of insurance companies, it's important to have a basic understanding of wrongful death claims. A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit brought by the surviving family members of a deceased individual against the person or entity responsible for their death. The purpose of this claim is to seek compensation for the financial and emotional losses suffered by the surviving family members. Some common causes of wrongful death claims include car accidents, medical malpractice, and workplace accidents.
2. Identify the Insurance Companies Involved
Once you have a basic understanding of wrongful death claims, it's important to identify the insurance companies involved. This may include the insurance company of the person or entity responsible for the death, as well as your own insurance company. In some cases, there may be multiple insurance companies involved, such as when the responsible party has multiple insurance policies or when there are multiple responsible parties.
3. Understand the Role of Insurance Companies in Wrongful Death Claims
Insurance companies play a crucial role in wrongful death claims, as they are typically the ones responsible for paying out the compensation to the surviving family members. However, it's important to remember that insurance companies are businesses, and their primary goal is to minimize their financial losses. This means that they will often try to settle wrongful death claims for as little as possible, or even deny the claim altogether.
To protect their interests, insurance companies may:
- Conduct their own investigation into the death
- Request medical records and other documents
- Interview witnesses and gather evidence
- Attempt to negotiate a settlement with the surviving family members
4. Prepare for Negotiations with Insurance Companies
As mentioned earlier, insurance companies will often try to negotiate a settlement with the surviving family members to minimize their financial losses. To ensure you receive the compensation you deserve, it's important to be prepared for these negotiations. This may include:
- Gathering evidence to support your wrongful death claim, such as medical records, police reports, and witness statements
- Calculating the financial losses suffered by the surviving family members, including funeral expenses, lost income, and loss of financial support
- Considering the emotional losses suffered by the surviving family members, such as loss of companionship, love, and guidance
5. Seek Legal Assistance
Navigating insurance companies in wrongful death claims can be a complex and challenging process. To ensure you receive the compensation you deserve, it's important to seek the assistance of an experienced wrongful death attorney, like the team at Oxford Lehr. Our attorneys have the knowledge and expertise to guide you through the process, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and represent you in court if necessary.
By following this step-by-step guide and seeking the assistance of an experienced wrongful death attorney, you can better navigate the world of insurance companies and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your loss. Contact Oxford Lehr today to discuss your wrongful death claim and learn how we can help.