Flint Wrongful Death Lawyer

Flint, MI Wrongful Death Attorney

Although Flint is a bustling city filled with opportunity, vibrant culture, and much to be proud of, it is a city with its own share of public health concerns, infrastructure failures, and hazards like any other. These issues could cause long-term illnesses, serious injuries, or even fatalities, along with all the associated legal complications. A Flint wrongful death lawyer can help those looking to make sense of tragedy and move forward.

At Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, we are committed to helping families throughout Flint, Burton, Grand Blanc, and all surrounding areas when they are grappling with unimaginable loss. Whether you are considering a wrongful death case stemming from a traffic accident on a busy Flint highway like the I-475 bypass, a fatal medical malpractice incident at an area medical provider, or some other tragic incident, our well-qualified personal injury lawyers in Flint and support staff can offer compassionate and effective legal help.

A wrongful death case represents an extreme tragedy that no one ever plans for, yet unexpected deaths occur every day. According to data from the state, there are more than 6,000 unintentional injury deaths in Michigan every year. This is especially concerning given that the number was below 5,000 as recently as 2015. Some good news within these statistics: unintentional injury deaths for people under 25 years old were at an all-time low in 2023 (going back to 1980, the earliest data included in the report).

National trends also show 2023 at a multi-year low for both total accidental deaths and the overall accidental death rate. However, these trends have been inconsistent since around the 2010s, when the multi-decade decline in preventable deaths slowed, stopped, and reversed. Even 2023’s low total paints a rather grim picture, with over 200,000 preventable deaths occurring in the country. Many of these scenarios, sadly, claim the lives of innocent people by way of another party’s negligence.

Why Choose Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC?

When considering whether to file a wrongful death suit in Flint, MI, you have many options for legal help, so we appreciate you taking the time to visit our website to learn more about our services. By taking a compassionate, client-centric approach to wrongful death cases, our Michigan wrongful death attorneys can guide grieving families through a complicated and challenging legal system.

We have been serving injured and aggrieved Michiganders for decades, with a track record of success that speaks for itself. We take pride in being the legal team Flint turns to when the stakes are highest and they need help the most. We know that there is no legal procedure in the world that can give back what has been taken from you, but please be aware that powerful legal recourse is available in Michigan. A well-planned, well-executed wrongful death claim can help you hold responsible parties accountable.

Understanding Wrongful Death in Flint, MI

A wrongful death case is a type of legal action that may arise when someone’s negligence, carelessness, or outright misconduct causes a fatality. In the Flint area, there is a wide range of potential real-world scenarios that could lead to a wrongful death. Examples include:

• Car crashes: Traffic accidents are perennially a leading cause of wrongful death actions, not only in the Flint area, but throughout the entire United States. Here in Flint, perpetually congested roads like the Dort Highway and high-volume intersections along Court Street can lead to serious or even fatal automobile collisions. When a fatal traffic accident is caused by the negligence of another motorist, Michigan law allows for the loved ones left behind to act.
• Medical negligence: With so many patients going in and out of large Flint-area medical providers each day, some mistakes are unfortunately bound to occur. When medical malpractice leads to a patient’s death, it’s not only extremely tragic–it’s also legally actionable.
• Workplace accidents: Most on-the-job accidents are processed through the state’s workers’ compensation system rather than through a civil court lawsuit, but when a workplace accident leads to a fatality, a wrongful death suit may be the appropriate legal tool for grieving loved ones to use when seeking justice.

Under Michigan law, a wrongful death suit can essentially be thought of as an extreme form of personal injury lawsuit, with the burden of proof and the elements required to prove a claim successfully being much the same. Please note that a wrongful death case is purely a civil court matter and does not subject the defendant to any sort of criminal penalties.

For a wrongful death claim to succeed in Michigan, it must be convincingly demonstrated that:

• The fatal incident was directly caused by the other party’s actions or negligent inaction
• The incident led directly to the fatality in question
• The death resulted in legally compensable damages for the decedent’s qualifying loved ones

While this may seem straightforward, winning a wrongful death case requires having not only solid evidence but a smart legal strategy to contextualize it. In many cases, strong negotiation skills can also be a crucial part of securing the most positive outcome possible.

Another element of Michigan wrongful death laws to be aware of is that not just anyone can file a claim. While the beneficiaries of such lawsuits are typically the decedent’s surviving spouse or children, a wrongful death suit can only be filed by the legally appointed representative of the decedent’s estate, as approved by the probate court. For this reason, a wrongfully killed person’s estate must first have a case opened in probate court before a separate case for wrongful death can begin in civil court.

Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer

We know that the decision to hire a wrongful death lawyer is not one to be taken lightly, but at Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, we are committed to making the legal process as smooth and straightforward as possible for you. That way, you and your family can focus on the grieving process and on supporting one another, and not on tedious legal details, cataloging evidence, finding witnesses, managing overlapping probate and civil court timelines, and completing piles of paperwork.

Whether your loved one has been killed in an accident recently or you have already begun a wrongful death action but aren’t getting the results you need, Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, may be able to help. Our Michigan-based lawyers are skillful and sensitive in dealing with wrongful death cases of all imaginable types. We encourage you to reach out to schedule a consultation and learn more about whether our services might be the right fit for you.

FAQs About Flint, MI Wrongful Death Law

How Much Does It Cost to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

The cost to file a wrongful death lawsuit can vary from court to court. Filing fees alone also don’t account for the cost of competent legal representation. When you include legal fees, the total cost of filing a wrongful death lawsuit can vary quite a bit depending on factors like the complexity of your case and the quality of your attorney. Discuss your financial obligations directly with your attorney so that you can get answers specific to your situation.

What Are the Odds of Winning a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

The odds of winning a wrongful death lawsuit are completely irrelevant because it is a serious legal procedure, not betting on a baseball game. Each case is determined by the evidence available and the actual damages done. Winning a case can mean different things to different people. For example, some clients may want to fight for a court verdict while others will be pleased with negotiating a more private resolution. Speak with your attorney about the specifics of your case.

Who Gets the Money in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Michigan?

The decedent’s qualifying beneficiaries get the money in a wrongful death lawsuit in Michigan. While the lawsuit must be filed by the estate’s personal representative as appointed by the probate court, the actual remittance won in a wrongful death suit would be distributed to the decedent’s surviving beneficiaries, such as their spouse or children, after all legal fees and other obligations against the estate have been taken out.

Contact Flint Wrongful Death Lawyer

From failures in the initial diagnosis to errors in prescribing powerful medications, the Michigan medical malpractice wrongful death team at Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, is highly adept at putting together a compelling case to hold negligent providers legally accountable for their failures.

If you are dealing with the unthinkable loss of a wrongful death scenario in the Flint, MI area, accessible and effective legal help is available. Contact the team at Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, at your earliest convenience to schedule a consultation and learn more about how our compassionate legal services can help you and your family move forward in this difficult time.