Losing a loved one before their time is never easy. While no amount of money can ever make up for the loss that you have suffered, the ability to collect compensation as part of a wrongful death claim can help to ease the financial stress that this loss can cause. Hiring a wrongful death lawyer to represent you is a great first step in working to get the compensation that you and your family are entitled to in this situation. However, before you retain the services of an attorney, there are a few things that you should know.  

#1: The Law Limits Who Can File A Wrongful Death Lawsuit

While multiple people are often impacted by the wrongful death of a loved one, the law does not allow multiple lawsuits to be filed in connection with a single incident. Consequently, wrongful death lawyers are limited when it comes to who they can represent. In most cases, these lawyers will only be able to file suit on behalf of the legal next of kin. If an individual is married at the time of death, the legal next of kin will be their spouse. If they are unmarried, the legal next of kin will typically be an adult child or their parent. However, while the law may limit who can file a lawsuit in a wrongful death case, it is quite common for the proceeds of these lawsuits to be divided among all of the injured parties. 

#2: Money Should Never Be A Concern When Hiring A Wrongful Death Lawyer 

All too often, people put off contacting a wrongful death lawyer because they are unsure of whether they can afford to pay a lawyer to represent them. If you have been hesitating to hire a lawyer because of your current financial situation, you should know that there is never a need to worry about money when reaching out to a wrongful death attorney. This is because wrongful death lawyers do not charge a traditional fee. Instead, these lawyers work on a contingency. What this means is that they only get paid after they win your case. If they are not able to collect compensation for the wrongful death of your loved one, you will not owe any money for their services. 

#3: There Is A Statute Of Limitations In Wrongful Death Cases

The law sets a statute of limitations on all wrongful death claims. This is a legal time limit on your right to file a claim for damages. If you wait too long to file your claim, even the very best lawyer in the world will not be able to help you get the compensation you deserve. Consequently, you should never put off contacting a wrongful death lawyer regarding your case. 

Contact a local wrongful death lawyer to learn more.