Wrongful Death Lawyer
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Memphis Wrongful Death Lawyer
Have you lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence?
Losing someone close to you is never easy. Even if a person’s passing was expected, like after a long illness, grief and loss are painful and difficult to navigate. On top of everything, there are affairs to handle, an estate to settle, and memorial arrangements to make.
When your loved one dies due to someone else’s actions or negligence, there are often added feelings of anger and injustice. The responsible parties need to be held accountable for the untimely ending of your family member’s life.
Dealing with all the emotions, stress, and arrangements after the death of a loved one is hard enough without having to handle a mountain of legal proceedings on your own. Let an experienced Memphis wrongful death lawyer help walk you through the process and handle the legal legwork of your lawsuit so you can focus on healing and moving forward.
What is Considered a Wrongful Death?
While it always feels like we’ve lost our loved one too soon, a wrongful death claim must meet specific criteria for legal action to be taken.
A good way to determine if your case meets the criteria for a wrongful death lawsuit is to consider whether the deceased would have had a valid personal injury claim if they had survived their injuries. If they would have been able to claim damages for their injuries, then you should be able to claim damages for their death.
Wrongful death claims can result from a variety of situations, including:
- Car accidents
- Premises liability
- Slip and falls
- Dog bites
- Assault or other intentional harm caused
Basically, a wrongful death occurs when another party’s recklessness, omission, intentional act, or another form of negligence causes harm to your loved one, ultimately leading to their death.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?
According to Tennessee law, the individual that brings a wrongful death action is typically the deceased person’s closest living relative—or “next of kin”—starting with their surviving spouse.
If no surviving spouse exists, the individuals that are permitted to file a lawsuit for wrongful death include the deceased person’s:
- Children
- Parents (if there are no living children)
- Siblings (if there are no living children or parents)
- Executor or administrator
Suppose the executor or administrator of the deceased person’s estate brings a wrongful death lawsuit. In that case, they’re typically doing so on behalf of the estate, with settlement money ultimately going to the deceased’s family members or heirs.
What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
When someone dies due to negligence, the responsible party could be required to pay economic and non-economic damages. These types of damages are common in many personal injury cases. Still, additional damages that are unique to wrongful death lawsuits can be sought.
Economic Damages
Also called “compensatory damages,” economic damages refer to those that are measurable monetary losses.
For a wrongful death case, these include:
- Medical bills incurred between the injury and the death
- Funeral expenses
- Burial expenses
- Lost future earnings
Non-economic Damages
Other losses are experienced in wrongful death cases and are often a bit more difficult to measure. These are called “non-economic damages” and include the pain and suffering that the deceased experienced after the injury and before their death. They can also include the loss of companionship, love, and guidance surviving family members experience.
Contact a Trusted Memphis Wrongful Death Attorney Today
When you’re dealing with losing a loved one, it’s an emotional, stressful, and devastating time. If someone else caused the death of your family member, they need to be held accountable.
A Memphis personal injury lawyer can help you find out if you have a wrongful death case and what your next steps should be.
Pickford Law is a personal injury law firm that will be by your side through the whole legal process. Our Memphis wrongful death attorneys will advocate for you and work toward a fair settlement that compensates you for the unbearable loss you’ve experienced. Contact us today.
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Shalondra Grandberry Pickford
Shalondra Grandberry Pickford is the founding attorney and owner of Pickford Law. Her practice focuses on Social Security disability, Veterans’ disability and Car and Trucking accidents. Prior to founding Pickford Law, Shalondra worked as an Associate Attorney at Memphis’ most prominent Social Security disability firm. She later joined a personal injury firm where she oversaw the Social Security practice area and handled personal injury claims until hanging out her own…
Pamela Thomas
Pamela Thomas is the receptionist at Pickford Law and the newest addition to the team. With over five years of experience working at a boutique law firm, she brings a strong foundation of legal office knowledge, professionalism, and client care to her role.
As the first point of contact for the firm, Pamela plays a vital role in creating a welcoming and organized experience for every client. She manages incoming calls, greets clients, and ensures that all communications are directed efficiently to the appropriate team members.
Maria Flemati
Maria Flemati serves as the Intake Specialist at Pickford Law and has been a valued member of the firm for the past three years. As the first point of contact for many clients, Maria plays a vital role in creating a welcoming, supportive, and professional experience from the very first interaction.
Maria takes pride in guiding clients through the initial steps of the legal process, helping them feel comfortable, confident, and supported as they begin their journey with Pickford Law.
Alexiah Woods
Alexiah Woods is a rising legal professional and Personal Injury Case Manager at Pickford Law, where she plays an integral role in supporting clients and building strong personal injury cases. As a recent college graduate with aspirations of attending law school, Alexiah represents the next generation of legal advocates being developed within the firm.
In her role, Alexiah works closely with clients, medical providers, and insurance companies to ensure cases progress efficiently and effectively. She assists with gathering and organizing medical records and bills…
Ysabelle Mangubat
Ysabelle Mangubat serves as the Medical Records Clerk at Pickford Law, where she plays a critical role in supporting case development through the accurate collection and organization of medical documentation. She is currently a law student with aspirations of practicing corporate law and is actively building her legal foundation through hands-on experience at the firm.
In her role, Ysabelle is responsible for requesting, tracking, and organizing medical records and billing statements, ensuring that each file is complete, accurate, and ready for review.
Sharon Warren
Sharon Warren is a dedicated Case Manager at Pickford Law, where she focuses exclusively on Social Security Disability (SSDI/SSI) cases. With over two years at the firm and more than 13 years of prior experience with the Social Security Administration, Sharon brings a depth of knowledge and practical insight that is invaluable to both the legal team and the clients she serves.
Carla Valente
Carla Valente serves as a Social Security Case Manager at Pickford Law, where she assists clients in navigating the Social Security disability process and supports the attorney in managing cases from start to finish. With a strong foundation in public service and over 17 years of experience with the Social Security Administration, Carla brings a depth of knowledge and insight that is invaluable to both clients and the firm.
During her tenure with the Social Security Administration, Carla served as a Technical Expert, providing guidance and support to local field offices.
Pearl Cummings
Pearline “Pearl” Cummings, also known as Lady P!, is an experienced Personal Injury Case Manager and Paralegal with more than 25 years of combined experience in the insurance and legal industries. Her background as a former Property Damage and Bodily Injury Claims Adjuster provides her with strong investigative insight and skilled negotiation abilities, helping attorneys and clients achieve successful claim resolutions.
