Burnsville Wrongful Death Lawyer
Burnsville Wrongful Death Attorneys Win Compensation
Count on Our Wrongful Death Lawyers in Burnsville, MN, to Help
Our Burnsville wrongful death lawyers understand how devastating it can be to be faced with the sudden, unexpected death of a loved one — especially if the death never would have happened except for someone else’s negligence or wrongful behavior. In addition to their overwhelming grief, survivors often must deal with the disruptions and financial problems from the loss of a family member’s income, anger at those whose negligence caused the death, and the desire to punish the responsible parties.
While no amount of money can make up for the loss of your loved one, Minnesota provides a path to getting both justice and the compensation that will provide much-needed financial stability to help your family through this difficult period. This path is through filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
Minnesota wrongful death cases are complicated, and at this difficult time, when dealing with your grief and so many other issues, a lawsuit is not something you want to deal with alone. Fortunately, there is help available from the Burnsville wrongful death lawyers at Tyroler Leonard Injury Law.
Our lead attorneys, Isaac Tyroler and Rachel Leonard, and their team understand what you are going through and can relieve you of many of the burdens associated with a wrongful death situation. We have extensive experience helping families who have tragically suffered the wrongful death of a loved one, and we can handle all the legal hurdles involved with getting justice and compensation, so you can concentrate on your family’s needs and recovery.
Why Choose Our Wrongful Death Attorneys in Burnsville?
There are many attorneys out there, and you want one you can trust and who can provide compassionate, experienced representation. At Tyroler Leonard Injury Law, our Burnsville wrongful death lawyers know the ins and outs of the legal process and will help guide you through it. Our team will work around the clock to ensure you win full justice for your loss.
Here are some reasons why we believe you should choose our Burnsville wrongful death lawyers:
- We focus on wrongful death and personal injury and will help guide you through the intricate legal processes involved.
- We are available 24/7.
- We win big — our team has obtained more than $30,000,000 in settlements and verdicts for clients over the past decade.
- Our clients are happy when they choose us, and you can read their client testimonials to prove it. We have a trustworthy track record of winning multiple significant settlements for our wrongful death clients.
- You pay no fees unless we are able to recover money for you.
- We are happy to give advice to help you in any way we can.
When you choose us, we will get to work immediately to pursue justice for you. We will:
- Investigate how the death happened and determine who the at-fault parties may be
- Gather evidence such as from photos and videos, and police, accident and medical reports
- Interview witnesses and first responders
- Thoroughly assess all your damages to determine what your case may be worth and what type of settlement to go after
- Take care of all legal requirements in a timely manner, including filing all paperwork, making court appearances, and handling appeals
- Hire experts to reconstruct the accident and testify as to fault and experts to testify as to how the loss of your loved one negatively impacts your life
- Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies and other attorneys for maximum compensation
- If settlement through negotiation isn’t possible, we are fully prepared to take your case to court.
Damages Our Wrongful Death Lawyers in Burnsville, MN, May Recover
Your Family May Receive Compensation for Damages
In a successful wrongful death claim, you may receive compensation for both economic monetary costs and also your less tangible, noneconomic damages that negatively impact your life.
These damages can include:
- Medical expenses related to the death
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost support and income
- Counsel, guidance, and aid that would have been given
- Loss of advice, comfort, assistance, companionship, and protection the person would have provided.
In some rare cases, you might also be able to recover punitive damages, which are meant to punish defendants for their actions. According to Minnesota law (Minnesota statute § 549.20), in order to win this judgment our wrongful death lawyers in Burnsville must show that the defendant exhibited intentional disregard for the decedent’s safety and rights.
Wisconsin wrongful death law (Wisconsin statute § 895.043) places a $200,000 limit on the amount of punitive damages available.
Damage Amounts You May Receive
Damage awards tend to be high when a wrongful death is involved, ranging from the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. However, the amount you may receive depends on the individual circumstances of your case and factors that include:
- Actual costs of your losses and expenses
- The circumstances of the death and degree of fault involved
- The age, earning capacity, and family situation of the victim, and the projection of potential future earnings had the person not died
- The availability of insurance coverage and defendant assets
- Whether there is a negotiated settlement or the case goes to trial, and the individual jurisdiction, judge, and jury where the case is heard
- The skill and negotiating power of your attorney.
One crucial factor is the relationship between the plaintiff and the deceased. If they were close relatives, such as a spouse or child, who depended on the deceased financially or for emotional support, the damages are likely to be significant.
Another consideration is the loss of future income the deceased could have earned. This includes wages and benefits and the value of services the deceased would have provided, such as childcare or household tasks. The plaintiff should also recover damages for funeral and burial expenses and the decedent’s pain and suffering caused by the fatal injuries.
Consult with our wrongful death attorneys in Burnsville to receive a more accurate estimate of the damages that may be awarded in your case.
Wrongful Death Attorneys in Burnsville, MN, Prove Negligence
Negligence can be an essential component of a wrongful death claim. Proving negligence involves showing that the defendant owed a duty of care to the victim; that the defendant breached that duty, causing the victim’s death; and that the plaintiff suffered damages as a result. If you can establish these elements, you may be able to recover damages for the victim’s wrongful death.
Economic damages are intended to compensate the victim’s family for the financial loss they have suffered due to the death. Financial damages obtained through a legal claim or a civil lawsuit are separate from any possible criminal charges that might also arise from the victim’s death.
Sometimes, more than one entity or person may be responsible for creating the circumstances that led to your loved one’s death. Through our investigation of the case, we will determine all the parties that should be part of the claim. This may be important to ensure you receive the full amount you deserve, because one party’s insurance policy may have coverage limitations that don’t completely meet the judgment that we win for you.
For example, if a defective product caused your loved one’s death, it is possible that the product manufacturer will be part of the claim, along with the party who sold your loved one the product and anyone who explained to your loved one how they should use the product.
When the Wrongful Death is Intentional
Intentional torts are another type of civil wrong that can be the basis for a wrongful death claim. An intentional tort means that the civil wrong was committed on purpose instead of being the result of negligence or carelessness.
Common intentional torts that can lead to wrongful death claims include assault, battery, and false imprisonment. For an intentional tort to be the basis of a wrongful death claim, the person who committed the tort must have intended to injure the victim. For example, if someone assaults another person and the victim dies due to the injuries sustained in the assault, the assailant can be held liable for wrongful death.
When our Burnsville wrongful death lawyers are representing you, we address only the civil aspect of the case and pursue a financial award against the defendant and their insurance company. Rather than attempting to seek jail time for the defendant, we seek a financial award that helps you and your family with the expenses and financial setbacks related to losing your loved one.
FAQs about Wrongful Death Cases
Our Burnsville Wrongful Death Attorneys Answer Common Questions
At Tyroler Leonard Injury Law, we know that the time after a wrongful death is very difficult for families. We try to ease the process by answering each and every question our clients have. Here, we have listed some of the most common questions we receive, so you can have an understanding of how we handle these types of cases.
Who May File a Wrongful Death Suit?
In Minnesota, according to the law (Minnesota statute § 573.02), family members who can file a wrongful death lawsuit include the deceased’s surviving spouse, children, or parents. The administrator of the deceased’s estate is also allowed to file a wrongful death suit on behalf of the estate’s beneficiaries. Other family members may be permitted to file a wrongful death lawsuit in some cases.
Eligible family members will ask the court to allow a trustee to handle the case on the family’s behalf. This trustee would manage the legal action on behalf of the family. The family members can ask the court to name a certain person as a trustee, rather than having the court select the trustee. The trustee typically would be a family member, and all family members who are eligible to receive damages must join together in a single claim.
In Wisconsin, the wrongful death statute (895.04) allows an action for wrongful death to be brought by the personal representative of the deceased person or certain members of the deceased’s family. Surviving family members who can file the wrongful death claim are, in order, the deceased’s:
- spouse or domestic partner
- children or grandchildren
- parents
- grandparents
- siblings.
How much time do I have to start a lawsuit?
In the case of a wrongful death, the family or other representative of the deceased person generally must file a lawsuit within three years from the date of the person’s death, according to Minnesota’s wrongful death law (Minnesota Statutes section 573.02). In no event shall a lawsuit be commenced beyond the time set by statute (541.076), which is six years after the act which caused the death.
How long does it take to get a settlement?
Each case is different, depending on the complexity and factors involved. If we can reach an agreement through negotiations, you may get a settlement in a matter of months. Cases that wind up going to trial can drag on for years. While we know you want to receive compensation as soon as possible, it’s important to be patient and allow time for our Burnsville wrongful death attorneys to investigate, gather evidence and negotiate for the best settlement possible.
What situations are grounds for a wrongful death claim?
There are many situations which can provide grounds for a wrongful death claim. Some of the most common ones our attorneys handle include:
Each state has different statutes governing wrongful death claims, so it is crucial to speak with wrongful death attorneys in Burnsville, MN, to ensure that your claim is valid.
How much does a Burnsville wrongful death attorney cost?
The good news is that there are no costs to you to start your case. Our wrongful death attorneys work on a contingency basis. Our Burnsville wrongful death attorney will receive a payment only if we win your case. We are confident in the experience and skill of our team. That’s why we don’t charge a fee unless we win.
At Tyroler Leonard Injury Law, we understand that, because we deal with the legal system on a daily basis, things that seem commonplace to us can be confusing for our clients. Once you hire us to represent you, trust that we will always be available to speak with you about your case and answer all your questions and concerns.
How Wrongful Death Suits Are Settled
Wrongful death lawsuits seek damages for the loss of the victim’s life. In most cases, these lawsuits are settled out of court, and the parties involved agree to a settlement amount through negotiations. This amount may include compensation for medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, loss of income, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
However, sometimes a wrongful death lawsuit goes to trial. If the judge or jury rules in favor of the decedent’s family, they may receive damages that can involve six- or seven-figure amounts.
The responsible party may also be ordered to pay punitive damages in some cases. These are meant to punish the at-fault party for their actions and to deter others from engaging in similar behavior. Punitive damages can be very high, but they are usually awarded only in cases where the defendant’s actions were particularly egregious.
Insurance Companies Typically Are Part of the Process
Wrongful death settlements are typically paid out of the responsible party’s insurance policy. If the policy limits are insufficient to cover the damages, the responsible party may pay out of their own pocket.
In some cases, an individual, organization, or company may be held vicariously liable for the actions of one of their employees or agents. Even if the employee or agent is not insured, the company may still have to pay the settlement amount.
Our skilled wrongful death lawyers in Burnsville, MN, will help you navigate the complex system of wrongful death claims to ensure that you receive the compensation you may be entitled to receive.
How Our Burnsville Wrongful Death Attorneys Can Help
Proving a wrongful death is highly complex and time-consuming, which is why it’s crucial to have an experienced wrongful death attorney on your side. The first step to take in any wrongful death claim is to determine whether the death came about because of the negligence or recklessness of another party.
If so, the next step is to identify the surviving family members who are eligible to receive compensation under the law. When the findings show that it is appropriate, our wrongful death lawyers in Burnsville, MN, will begin gathering evidence and building a solid case on your behalf.
We Give You the Support You Need
Once you hire us to take over your wrongful death claim, we will handle all the legal aspects of the case, allowing you and your family to focus on grieving and on trying to heal together.
We will converse with and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. We will investigate the circumstances of the case, building a set of facts that show why you and your family deserve the amount that we are seeking. Should we decide that negotiations are not working and that we need to take the case to court, we will begin the preparation for the trial. We will stand by your side throughout the trial as well. Although we handle all these aspects of the case, we will always keep you informed, and together we will make all decisions about how to proceed.
We Will Deliver the Compassion You Deserve
One of the toughest things about bringing a wrongful death claim – and one of the ways where we provide significant help – is the support you need from start to finish. It can be difficult to deal with your grief after losing a loved one, especially when reliving the accident and the raw emotions of the moment in which you learned about the fatality.
We know that winning a judgment in a wrongful death lawsuit cannot bring your loved one back. Our goal is to help you deal with the financial hardships you are facing after losing your loved one, especially if he or she was a breadwinner for the family. Your loved one would not want you to lose your financial dreams of home ownership, secure retirement, or college for your kids because of this accident. Our hope is that by winning a settlement for you in this case we can alleviate any financial burden you are feeling.
Call Our Burnsville Wrongful Death Attorneys for Help
Wrongful death lawsuits can be complex, so it is essential to have an experienced attorney on your side. You can trust our wrongful death attorneys in Burnsville, MN, to always have your best interests in mind. Even though we treat you with compassion and understanding, we fight hard when it comes to protecting your interests when the insurance company is treating you unfairly or disrespectfully. We do not back down from tough cases, and we do not allow lawyers from big insurance companies to try to bully us or you. At Tyroler Leonard Injury Law, our Burnsville wrongful death lawyers will act like professionals, and we will demand that the other side do the same.
Our Burnsville wrongful death attorneys at Tyroler Leonard Injury Law will help you determine whether filing a lawsuit is the right course of action and will guide you through the process. We have years of experience helping families seek justice after a loved one’s death due to someone else’s negligence. We understand your pain and will fight aggressively for the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today about your wrongful death case in Burnsville. Count on us to be at your side every step of the way. We’ll explain the process of your case, keep you informed, and fight aggressively for all the compensation you deserve.