Some wrongful death cases may settle rapidly, in a matter of months, while others can take years to resolve.
It is important to keep in mind that every wrongful death case is unique. While some may settle rapidly, even in a matter of months, others can take one to four years to resolve. Even if your case does not go to trial, settling your case takes time.
If you and other family members are in financial hardship without your loved one's income, you may want to settle a wrongful death lawsuit and receive a settlement fast. That may not be possible, and if it is possible, it may not be in your best interest.
Supposing the defendant accepts responsibility for your family member's death, the insurance company representing that individual may offer a settlement. Even though it may be tempting to accept a fast settlement when you are struggling to pay your bills, you may come to regret it. Insurance companies usually offer family members settlements that are significantly lower than what they are entitled to, to close cases fast and protect their bottom line. Therefore, it is best to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Your attorney can gather relevant information and figure out a fair amount of financial compensation, but the insurance company might refuse to pay the amount of money your attorney requests. The two parties can subsequently attempt to negotiate a settlement. Even though that is possible in some cases, sometimes the two sides cannot come to an agreement, and the case must go to trial. Therefore, it may take years to resolve a wrongful death claim.
If you lost a family member as a result of negligence, we advise you to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary can be of great help in this respect, as our attorney has over 20 years of experience in handling wrongful death cases, regardless of their complexity. Our attorney will strive to obtain the financial compensation you deserve as fast as possible.