Montclair Wrongful Death Attorney
We want to extend our deepest condolences if you recently lost a loved one in a tragic accident. At Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC, we understand that nothing can make up for the loss of someone you love, but we hope that we can help support your family during this difficult time by providing quality legal services. Our Montclair wrongful death lawyers have one goal: to give your loved one a voice in the civil justice system.
Contact us today to discuss your wrongful death claim in detail. We offer free initial consultations in Montclair and throughout New Jersey. We also operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning your family won’t pay a dime in attorney’s fees unless we are successful in obtaining financial compensation.
Montclair Wrongful Death Resources
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Why Choose Our Law Firm?
What is Wrongful Death?
Do You Need to Hire an Attorney?
Who Can Pursue a Wrongful Death Claim?
What Damages May Be Available in Your Case?
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
Cost of Hiring an Attorney
Speak to a Lawyer Today
Why Choose Our Montclair Wrongful Death Lawyer?
Picking the right lawyer in such tough times is really important. So why work with our wrongful death lawyers? Here are some key reasons.
Extensive Experience
With 50 years of combined experience under our belts, our Montclair personal injury lawyers seamlessly navigate through intricate legal matters on your behalf while leveraging decades of practice for your benefit.
Aggressive and Compassionate Representation
We’re known for providing an aggressive approach to representation coupled with attentive and personalized service to clients embroiled in these emotionally charged cases. Your case will not be just a number; it’s as important to us as it is to you because compassion lies at the heart of what we do.
Reputation and Verdicts
Our successful track record is a testament to our professionalism and dedication. As recognized by the New Jersey Law Journal, we secured the ninth largest injury recovery award in the state — a clear demonstration of our effectiveness. When you’re deciding who should represent your interests, remember that proof of success matters.
If you need help with a wrongful death claim, we’re here for you.
What Is Wrongful Death & What Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
In New Jersey, the legal definition of wrongful death is a loss of life due to someone else’s neglect, wrongdoing or default. Wrongful death can arise as a result of carelessness, recklessness, intent to harm, criminal acts or medical malpractice. Common examples of accidents that lead to wrongful death claims in New Jersey are:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Slip and falls
- Workplace accidents
- Construction accidents
- Premises liability accidents
- Swimming pool accidents
- Defective products
A wrongful death claim or lawsuit is a type of civil action that seeks financial compensation from the person or party responsible for causing the victim’s death. While a criminal case may also arise after a death, such as for murder or manslaughter, a civil claim reimburses surviving family members rather than punishes the at-fault party. Your family may have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit if someone else caused or substantially contributed to your loved one’s fatal injury. From fatal slip and fall incidents to car accident lawsuits in Montclair, we can help.
Do You Need to Hire a Montclair Wrongful Death Lawyer?
Yes, hiring a wrongful death lawyer can be significantly beneficial to your case. Here’s why:
Determining Liability
Figuring out who’s to blame in wrongful death suits can be complicated, but it’s essential. Your lawyer will have the know-how to dig deep and figure out who needs to answer for your loved one’s passing.
Calculating Damages
Calculating damages – including both economic (like lost earnings or medical expenses) and non-economic (such as pain, suffering or loss of companionship) is another area where an attorney’s expertise comes into play. If you don’t know what you’re entitled to, there’s no way to ensure you get a fair settlement.
Negotiating
Wrongful death lawyers also serve as expert negotiators. Settling a wrongful death claim out of court can be a long, intricate process that requires powerful negotiation skills—an attribute that a qualified lawyer will possess.
You Should Focus on Healing
Finally, attorneys shoulder the burden of building your case, allowing you to focus on healing during this difficult time. They manage every detail from document gathering to trial preparation if it’s needed.
Engaging an experienced Montclair wrongful death attorney can assist in navigating through this emotional journey for justice. Don’t try to handle it alone. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation at no cost.
Who Can Pursue a Wrongful Death Claim in Montclair, NJ?
In Montclair, New Jersey, a wrongful death claim cannot be filed by just anyone; the claim must be initiated by the decedent’s personal representative. The personal representative is usually someone intimately connected to them such as a spouse, parent, or child.
If there wasn’t anyone named by the decedent as their personal representative before they passed away, a court will decide it instead in most scenarios.
Although the claim is filed by a personal representative, the benefits or compensation won from such a lawsuit will be distributed to the heirs of deceased individuals.
Who these beneficiaries are can vary but could include surviving spouses, children and grandchildren, parents, or even extended family members like surviving nieces or nephews.
It’s essential to consult with an experienced Montclair wrongful death attorney who can help determine if you’re entitled to compensation.
What Damages May Be Available in Your Case?
Under wrongful death law, compensation is available to help those relatives who were financially or otherwise dependent on the deceased.
These damages could encompass funeral and burial costs, outstanding medical bills incurred before the decedent’s death, lost income from wages that they would have earned over their lifetime, or even loss of valued household services and companionship provided by them.
However, it’s critical to know that survivors are not eligible to recover for their personal pain and suffering stemming from their loved one’s death. Additionally, punitive damages—those meant specifically to punish a defendant—are not permitted in wrongful death claims in New Jersey.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
In New Jersey, there is usually a two-year window to file a wrongful death claim. This means you have two years from the date of your loved one’s death to trigger legal proceedings against those responsible.
However, there are exceptions making it possible for this timeframe to be extended or even shortened, so it’s always best practice to consult with an attorney when weighing if and when you should pursue such a claim. This will ensure that you don’t miss out on your chance to obtain justice and the compensation you deserve.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Montclair Wrongful Death Lawyer?
Engaging the services of a Montclair wrongful death lawyer does not require any upfront costs. Our firm, like many others handling personal injury and wrongful death cases, operates on a contingency fee basis.
Under this agreement, your attorney’s payment is contingent upon them successfully securing compensation for you. If they are unable to win your case – through a verdict or settlement – you owe them nothing. If they do secure an award in your favor, their fees are then deducted from this amount – usually between 33% and 40%.
This arrangement ensures that legal counsel is accessible to you regardless of your financial situation and aligns the objectives of the client and attorney.
Speak to an Experienced Wrongful Death Lawyer in Montclair Today | Free Case Review
At Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC, we have been representing surviving family members in Montclair and throughout New Jersey for almost 50 years. We have what it takes to guide you and your family through a complex claim during this difficult time. Find out how we can help you by contacting our team today. Call (201) 997-0030 today to start your case with a free review.