Caring Des Moines Attorneys Representing Iowa Families In Wrongful Death Claims
After the unexpected death of a family member in an accident, talking with a lawyer is probably the last thing on your mind. But if you believe you may need to file a wrongful death claim, it is important to begin the investigation as soon as possible. To preserve your ability to obtain compensation, you should take time to obtain legal counsel.
At Hixson & Brown, P.C., our team of experienced wrongful death and personal injury lawyers represents families of fatal accident victims throughout Iowa. They are skilled trial advocates with investigative resources to establish liability and document our clients’ losses. When you hire our firm to represent you, we will work diligently to obtain full compensation for you and justice for the loss of your loved one.
The Litigation Skills Needed For Any Wrongful Death Scenario
In Iowa, a death is considered wrongful if it was caused by the negligence of another person, business or organization, or if it was the result of an intentional wrongful act. Wrongful death lawsuits share numerous similarities with personal injury claims, and many involve the same types of scenarios. Our attorneys have extensive experience litigating a wide variety of wrongful death claims, including those related to:
- Automotive accidents (cars, trucks, motorcycles and any crashes involving motor vehicles)
- Motor vehicle accidents resulting in the deaths of pedestrians and bicyclists
- Surgical mistakes, diagnostic errors, medication errors and other forms of medical negligence
- Fatal dog bites and animal attacks
- Railroad accidents
- Death resulting from catastrophic injury scenarios like severe burns, electric shock and head trauma
Our lawyers work tirelessly to seek justice on behalf of victims and their families. The firm has been able to secure many wrongful death settlements and jury awards ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. Some are highlighted on our case results page.
Who Can File A Wrongful Death Claim In Iowa?
The legal right to bring a lawsuit is known as “standing.” Under Iowa law, the only person with standing to bring a wrongful death lawsuit is the personal representative (executor) of the victim’s estate. In many cases, this person will have been named in the victim’s will. If there is no will or an executor wasn’t previously named, the court can appoint a personal representative, who will then have standing to sue for wrongful death.
This doesn’t mean that the personal representative is entitled to the money obtained in a settlement or jury award, however. Instead, the personal representative will bring claims on behalf of the estate and family members. Compensation will be awarded primarily to surviving members of the victim’s family, with priority going to dependents like a surviving spouse and children. If the victim had no spouse or children, the money might be given to their parents and other relatives.
What Kinds Of Compensation Are Available In An Iowa Wrongful Death Case?
While money alone can never replace what you have lost, in our society it is the means for obtaining justice in a fatal accident case. Depending on the circumstances of your case, compensation can include:
- Medical costs prior to death
- Funeral and burial expenses
- The victim’s pain and suffering prior to death
- Loss of support
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of accumulation to the estate
- Loss of health insurance
- Loss of household services
In consultation with a range of financial professionals, our Iowa wrongful death attorneys will calculate the full value of your losses. This will include the value of the income your family member would have earned had he or she lived. Our Iowa wrongful death attorneys at Hixson & Brown will provide strong representation for you in settlement negotiations or at trial, seeking maximum compensation for you.
Contact Us In Des Moines For A Free Discussion About Your Case
Hixson & Brown has been a longtime fixture in the Des Moines community, and our firm serves clients throughout Iowa. You won’t have to worry about the costs of exploring your legal options or seeking legal representation. Our firm offers free initial consultations, and we take all cases on a contingency-fee basis. That means we don’t charge any legal fees unless and until we recover money for you.
To request your free consultation with attorneys who truly care, send us a message online or call 515-644-6133.