finding a lawyer before you need one

The time that follows the death of a cherished family member can be difficult and overwhelming. After all, emotions are running high. In addition to grieving, families also have to deal with the financial burden of losing their loved one. 

If you recently lost a family member due to negligence, you might be able to file a wrongful death claim. This claim can help you receive the compensation you need—and deserve—to cover any bills left behind. If you are interested in filing a wrongful death claim, follow these three tips to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible:

1. Set a Realistic Settlement

Receiving compensation for the wrongful death of a loved one can be very handy as it will help cover any leftover bills or expenses. While you might just jot down a number, you shouldn't. In order to get the settlement approved quickly, you should try to ensure that it is reasonable. Try to calculate the settlement by using medical bills, lost wages, and other documents to help you come up with a reasonable and justifiable amount.

2. Keep Documents

Another helpful tip is to save any and all documents that pertain to the loved one you lost. These documents will help prove your case. They might also help you come up with your settlement amount. In general, you should be sure to save any medical documents. Be sure to keep medical documents that relate to bills, as well as injuries and treatments. In addition, you might also want to save official incident reports about the accident that led to your loved one's death.

Other documents you might want to keep include pay stubs, tax documents, and the death certificate. All of these will be extremely handy when it comes to filing your claim. They will also be useful should your case go to court.

3. Get Help

Finally, make sure that you enlist the help of a wrongful death attorney. While you could certainly navigate through to claim process alone, it really isn't worth it. After all, you are grieving and the process can be complicated. So hiring outside help is a really good idea. These attorneys can help you file the paperwork, gather documents, and negotiate with the insurance company.

Dealing with the loss of a loved one isn't easy. Fortunately, you can make filing a wrongful death claim a little easier with these three tips. As always, if you have any questions it is a good idea to consult with a lawyer—as these laws can be complicated and time-sensitive.