Wrongful Death Attorneys in Des Moines
Guiding Families Through Wrongful Death Claims in Iowa
Losing a loved one because of the negligence of another person or a corporation is indescribably devastating. No amount of money can ease the grief or diminish the loss you feel. Instead, a wrongful death claim can bring you a sense of justice that the parties responsible for your loved one’s death are being held accountable. The compensation can also protect your family from financial difficulties as you mourn your family member’s death.
Hope Law Firm treats your family with compassion and respect as we assist you with your wrongful death claim. Our attorneys and support staff do all we can to ease your burden and to recover damages for your loss.
Give us a call at 515-255-3559 or contact us online to request a free consultation with our wrongful death attorney in Des Moines.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim
Any family member who has sustained damages may file a wrongful death claim in Iowa. Typically, the executor files the lawsuit on behalf of the estate and acts in the best interest of the estate with regard to negotiating a settlement or taking the case to trial.
Once the case is settled or a judgment is rendered at trial, the estate collects the money and distributes it to the beneficiaries. The wrongful death recovery process generally involves both the probate and the civil courts of Iowa.
Typically, the beneficiaries may include:
- Immediate Family Members — Spouse, children, and sometimes parents or siblings of the deceased person are often primary beneficiaries in wrongful death cases. They may be entitled to damages for loss of companionship, support, and consortium.
- Estate — Any damages awarded in a wrongful death lawsuit are usually distributed through the deceased person’s estate. This can involve covering medical expenses, funeral costs, and other financial losses incurred as a result of the wrongful death.
- Dependents — If the deceased person was providing financial support to dependents, such as minor children or disabled family members, they may be considered beneficiaries and entitled to compensation for the loss of support.
- Creditors — In some cases, if the deceased person had outstanding debts, creditors may be beneficiaries of any damages awarded to the estate to settle those debts.
How to Prove Negligence
A wrongful death action is filed by the personal representative for the estate of the individual who was killed. We structure your lawsuit to prove the negligence of the parties who contributed to the deadly accident that took your loved one. You must prove all the elements of the accident and that the accident directly resulted in your loved one’s death.
To prove negligence, our attorneys gather and present evidence to show that:
- The responsible party owed your loved one a duty of care.
- The party breached that duty of care
- Your loved one died as a direct result of the party’s negligence
- You suffered damages as a result of your loved one’s death
We provide rigorous, knowledgeable legal service with wrongful death matters in areas across the practice of personal injury.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death
Our Des Moines wrongful death lawyers have represented families who lost a loved one due to:
- Animal attacks
- Car accidents
- Distracted driving collisions
- Defective products
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home and elder abuse
- Slip and fall injury
- Workplace accident
What Damages Could Be Recovered For a Wrongful Death Claim?
The damages you recover for wrongful death depend on the specific facts of your case.
We may pursue damages for:
- Medical bills for the care your loved one received for the fatal injury
- A pre-death personal injury claim
- Burial and funeral costs
- Lost wages and anticipated future income
- Lost benefits, including health insurance or a pension
- Loss of services, such as childcare, landscaping, accounting, cooking, household duties, and security
- Loss of love, companionship, friendship, guidance, support, and advice
Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our wrongful death lawyer in Des Moines.
