Wrongful Death Attorney in Huntsville

Has Your Loved One Been Killed by Someone Else’s Negligence or Misconduct in Huntsville?

Losing a spouse, child or immediate family member unexpectedly is one of life’s most painful experiences. If a preventable accident caused by someone’s carelessness led to your loved one’s death, the ordeal can be even more difficult to bear. The attorneys at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., understand the ties of family.

We recognize that no amount of money will make up for the loss of a loved one. Yet, Alabama law allows a family who has lost a loved one to hold accountable the at-fault party for the negligent behavior. By bringing a wrongful death lawsuit, the family may seek monetary compensation that is designed to punish the at-fault party for their wrongful conduct. Holding a wrongdoer accountable also may call attention to a problem and prevent another family from suffering a similar loss.

morris king hodge team in front of office building

If your family has suffered a wrongful death in Huntsville or anywhere in North Alabama, you will want to work with a wrongful death law firm with the proven experience of Morris, King & Hodge, P.C. Our dedicated lawyers have helped many Alabamians with wrongful death claims and secured millions of dollars for our clients. Call us today at 256-274-8130.

Some of our notable wrongful death verdicts and settlements include a $3.1 million verdict for the family of a teenager killed by a speeding ambulance, a $2.5 million settlement for the family of a motorist killed in an automobile accident, a $1.2 million settlement of a patient’s wrongful death as a result of medical malpractice, a $1 million settlement against a trucking company for a fatal accident, and a $935,000 settlement for the family of an individual killed by a product explosion.

Each wrongful death case has its own set of circumstances and contributing factors. The results of our past cases do not guarantee the outcome of future cases. But the results do highlight our proven track record of accomplishment for clients and extensive experience handling wrongful death cases involving motor vehicle accidents, defective products, premises liability, and medical malpractice. Our history shows the hard work that we put into our client’s cases. We bring decades of experience to each case we handle and have a proven record of success.

We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your wrongful death claim. We handle cases on a contingency basis. There is no legal fee owed unless we collect money for you. Contact us today, and we are ready to help you.

How Our Attorneys Can Assist After a Wrongful Act

Your family should be your first priority after a loved one’s wrongful death. Our compassionate attorneys can assist you during this difficult time by helping you weigh your legal options and by dealing with the insurance companies. Within days of your loved one’s wrongful death, a lawyer representing the negligent party’s insurance company may offer a quick settlement before you have time to consider your legal options. The insurance company is trying to limit the amount it pays out by making a quick, lowball settlement.

scales of justice When an insurance company presents a settlement offer, it is in your best interest to discuss the situation with an experienced Alabama wrongful death lawyer. We have tried wrongful death cases in courtrooms throughout North Alabama, and we know the details of how these cases work. Contact the compassionate lawyers at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C.

magnifying glass Our attorneys will evaluate your wrongful death claim and answer your questions at no charge. We will share our perspective on whether the settlement offer you have received is reasonable under the circumstances. If we represent you, we will conduct a full investigation of the accident scene, interview any witnesses and preserve all evidence.

shaking hands We will identify all the potentially responsible parties and the possible sources of compensation. Based on the specific facts of the wrongful death, we will develop a legal strategy to hold the negligent party or parties accountable for your loss. Also, we will deal with the appropriate insurance companies on your behalf.

3 people icons Our attorneys will try to negotiate a fair settlement before filing a lawsuit. If we receive a settlement offer, we will discuss the offer with you. But we will not hesitate to go to trial if it is necessary to stand up for your rights. Our wrongful death lawyers are committed to aggressively pursuing a just resolution to your case.

In our observation from handling cases, those families who pursue a wrongful death claim and see justice served often achieve some sense of closure regarding their loved one’s loss.

Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., is a fantastic law firm. Joe King and his staff worked tirelessly on my case and in doing so I received a settlement beyond my expectations.

- M. S.

Joe, Joey, Harvey and the entire Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., staff was extremely professional and courteous throughout the whole process.

- S. S.

Joe king was very good to me I’ll recommend him anytime I can thank you Joe King.

- M. J.

Harvey Morris is the best ever.

- M. B.

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We Get Results

Automobile $5.75 MILLION Wrongful Death

Automobile $5.1 MILLION Wrongful Death – Intoxication

Negligence $5 MILLION Wrongful Death

Automobile $3.1 MILLION Wrongful Death

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Alabama Wrongful Death Law

A wrongful death is a civil lawsuit brought on behalf of the estate of the person who was killed. A wrongful death occurs when someone’s negligence, wantonness, failure to act, or willful misconduct causes the death of another.

A wrongful death lawsuit may be filed even if the responsible party is not facing any criminal charges or prosecution or has been acquitted in criminal court of the wrongful act or misconduct that led to the death.

Alabama’s wrongful death laws are unique because they are intended solely to punish the acts of the wrongdoer. While the laws in other states allow juries to award compensatory damages, only punitive damages may be recovered for an Alabama wrongful death claim. Experienced wrongful death attorneys may help to persuade the jury to punish the wrongdoer for their negligent or wrongful conduct that caused the death of a loved one.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death Cases in Huntsville

Wrongful deaths claims arise from many types of fatal accidents and incidents. A wrongful death claim may be pursued against any person or business that acted negligently or wantonly and caused the death of someone.

It is often easier to understand through the use of examples of how a law would apply. The personal representative of a deceased person’s estate in Alabama may be entitled to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against:

A driver who was at fault in a fatal car accident, motorcycle accidents, ATV accidents
A trucking company that was negligent in a fatal crash involving its tractor-trailer.
The manufacturer, distributor, or marketer of a defective product that causes a death, such as hip replacement.
The maker of dangerous prescription drugs that cause fatal side effects, even when taken as directed, such as Xerelto, or testosterone products resulting in heart attacks and power morcellator.
A property owner who failed to maintain a property, resulting in injuries and illness that led to death like mesothelioma.
A property owner whose negligent security of premises led to someone being violently assaulted and killed.
A drunk driver who runs a stop sign and fatally injures a pedestrian in Huntsville crossing a crosswalk.
A doctor or other health care provider who committed medical malpractice, resulting in a patient’s death, such as chiropractor malpractice.
An obstetrician who fails to follow the recognized standard of care in responding to a difficult birth and causes the death of a mother or baby through medical malpractice in Huntsville.
The owner of a vicious dog that was permitted to roam free and fatally mauled someone.
An at-fault party other than the deceased’s employer in a workplace accident or industrial injury. You may also file a workers’ compensation claim with your employer.
A subcontractor on a construction worksite whose negligence causes the death of a construction worker employed by another construction company.
A motorist turning left who fails to yield the right of way to an oncoming motorcycle and causes a collision that causes fatal injuries to the motorcyclist.
The manufacturer of a vehicle with a defective design such as a sport utility vehicle that is prone to rollover accidents.
An employer who allows a dangerous driver with a record of accidents and speeding citations to continue driving until the driver causes a fatal accident.

What the examples above have in common is that the victims’ deaths were preventable and were the result of acts of some other party’s negligence, wantonness, failure to act or willful misconduct.

Who Can File a Huntsville Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

In Alabama, the administrator of the deceased’s estate (called the personal representative) may bring a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the estate. If the deceased person left a will naming a personal representative, that person has the sole right to file and settle a wrongful death lawsuit.
Any damages recovered through a wrongful death case are held by the personal representative for distribution to the heirs at law. A settlement or jury verdict in a wrongful death claim in Alabama is distributed to the heirs of the deceased according to the laws that control the disbursement of estates. Generally, the surviving spouse and any children will share in the recovery.
Damages pass outside the estate and are not subject to payment of any outstanding debts or liabilities of the deceased person owed to creditors. While the IRS generally taxes punitive damages, the federal income tax code provides for a special exemption for punitive damages recovered in Alabama wrongful death cases.
A wrongful death lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of death. Wrongful death actions involving local governments such as cities and counties have even tighter deadlines for giving notice of a claim. Since the law allows only a limited amount of time to file a wrongful death lawsuit, an individual or family that believes that a loved one’s death was caused by another’s wrongful act should consult an Alabama wrongful death attorney as soon as possible.

At Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., our attorneys in Huntsville grew up in North Alabama and understand the strong bonds of family and the effects. Our wrongful death attorneys offer trusted guidance to help Alabama families get through a difficult time and move forward. We have helped many families in situations similar to yours. We are ready to be of service.

Wrongful Death FAQs

Can a wrongful death claim be pursued alongside a criminal investigation?

Yes, you can file a wrongful death claim while the police pursue a criminal investigation. However, a wrongful death claim cannot send a defendant to jail. The only recourse surviving family members have in civil court is to seek punitive damages from the negligent party.

You can use the verdict in a criminal investigation as evidence in a wrongful death case, but the liable party does not have to be guilty of a crime for you to recover compensation. That’s because the burden of proof in a civil case is lower than in criminal cases. You don’t have to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

How long does it usually take for a wrongful death case to be resolved?

The duration of wrongful death cases varies, but most cases finish within one to three years.

What can be recovered in a wrongful death case?

Compensation in a wrongful death case is limited to punitive damages that are based on the degree of the defendant’s negligence or wrongdoing.

How can I afford an Alabama wrongful death lawyer?

Families who have unexpectedly lost a family member who helped support the household often experience financial distress after the loss. Our Alabama wrongful death attorneys handle cases on a contingency fee basis. We pay any upfront out-of-pocket costs, and we provide free consultations. You pay us no fee or expenses unless we win a settlement or award in your case.

How do you prove a wrongful death?

An attorney must establish certain elements to prove negligence in a wrongful death case. They include:

The at-fault individual or business had a duty to the deceased. For example, a driver has a duty to other motorists to obey traffic laws and operate a vehicle so as not to endanger others.
The defendant breached their legal duty. The driver got intoxicated and drove without regard for safety.
The failure to uphold the legal duty led to the death. The drunk driver’s reckless driving led to a head-on collision in which another motorist was killed.

What is a wrongful death lawsuit?

A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit that is filed on behalf of the estate of a person who died as a result of someone else’s negligence, wantonness, failure to act or willful misconduct.

Contact Huntsville Wrongful Death Lawyers

Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., is based in Huntsville. Our attorneys handle wrongful death attorneys handle cases in North Alabama and beyond. If you think that we can help you or a loved one as we have helped so many other Alabamians, please call our attorneys at 256-274-8130 or complete our online contact form.