WRONGFUL DEATH – MN LAWYERS

The Rochlin Law Firm represents the family when someone is killed in an accident. Our lawyers sue the negligent person or business who caused the fatal accident. In most cases, this is about insurance compensation. The wrongful death cases we handle most frequently arise out of Minnesota automobile or motorcycle collisions. However, we also represent families in wrongful death claims that occur from construction accidents, boating accidents, medical mistakes, and product defects. Our wrongful death lawyers are recogized for their strong record of success.

HOW THE ROCHLIN LAW FIRM CAN HELP YOU

• We handle the legal process. There are several legal steps to a wrongful death case. First, a Trustee must be appointed and approved by the court. Detailed information must be gathered and presented to the court. Our lawyers will facilitate that for you. Later, when there is a settlement, court approval is required prior to distribution of any funds. Our lawyers will handle the paperwork and the hearing for you.
• We work with the family. There may be a spouse, parents, children, siblings and more who all have a claim when someone is killed in an accident. Our lawyers will work with your family to answer everyone’s questions and make sure the process is in everyone’s best interests. An important part of what we do is present a full picture on the family’s loss to the insurance company or jury. In some cases, this starts with lost future income. However, it is often much more. We spend as much time as necessary with the family to get a full understanding of this loss.
• We deal with the insurance issues. Depending on how the accident happened, there can be several different insurance claims. Our lawyers will investigate all possible insurance coverage and make sure the family is compensated as best as possible. Of course, we also make sure all the medical bills are paid.
• We guide you through this difficult process. There are complicated legal issues after a family member is killed in an accident. For example, you may need an estate or probate lawyer, social security lawyer, etc. Our lawyers have helped many families in this situation and we can guide you to the resources you need. 

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WHO CAN RECOVER IN A MINNESOTA WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM?

Minnesota law allows the family members of the deceased to obtain wrongful death compensation. (For more information on the loss of a child, see Compensation for Child Killed in Accident). The family members who can potentially recover in a wrongful death case are those that are legally defined as the “next of kin.”

A court will ultimately decide who are the next of kin.  Generally, this includes any relative descending from any of the deceased person’s grandparents. For example, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc., plus a spouse and adopted children. An unmarried significant-other or boyfriend or girlfriend is not included as next of kin. This is true even if they were engaged to be married or living together like a married couple. When you call our office, a top wrongful death lawyer will help you through the process of notifying family members and explaining their rights to them.

HOW IS COMPENSATION DECIDED FOR WRONGFUL DEATH IN MN?

The amount of compensation for a wrongful death claim in Minnesota depends on the whole picture of the family’s loss. This includes the value of the deceased person’s earnings, i.e. how much money they made and how many more years they were expected to work. Equally important is the value of the services the person killed would have provided for the family. The loss of a stay-at-home mom with young children is an obvious example. But, each family member contributes to the family in many ways and the loss affects different family members differently.

The hardest wrongful death cases involve the loss of a child. The loss of an elderly family member can also be devastating. Of course, those cases usually do not involve a loss of earnings. However, the family may still recover for the aid, advice and comfort lost by the death of their family member. Many families have a tradition of children caring for parents in later years. This is lost when the child dies in an accident. Our wrongful death lawyers will work hard to make sure that your family is compensated as fully as possible for the loss that has been suffered.

EXPERIENCED WRONGFUL DEATH ATTORNEYS

When our MN wrongful death lawyers work with a family that has suffered such a tragic loss, we guide you through your case and the legal process. An attorney will sit down with the family however many times and however long it takes. We want to get a complete understanding of the loss the family has suffered from this wrongful death. We will want to know your stories about the joys you have shared in the past and had been looking forward to in the future. Also, how you have supported each other through your sorrows or difficult times.

Our wrongful death attorney will ask you for family videos and photographs, holiday and special occasion cards, gifts, etc. The best wrongful death attorneys in MN understand that this is a process that takes time. Patience and compassion are so important for a family going through this process. Our top wrongful death lawyers have significant experience and understand wrongful death law in Minnesota. The Rochlin Law Firm  lawyers spend the time needed to fully understand the situation. We will make sure you and your family get the compensation you are entitled to for your loss of a family member needlessly killed in an accident.

SOCIAL SECURITY SURVIVORS BENEFITS FOR FAMILY AFTER SOMEONE IS KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT – MN LAWYER

If the family member who died has worked at least one and one-half years in the three years before her death, certain family members will be entitled to social security survivor’s benefits. For more information on survivor benefits, see http://www.ssa.gov/survivorplan/ifyou.htm. You and your family are entitled to Social Security Benefits even if a lawyer from our office successfully pursues a wrongful death claim against the party that caused the death.

HOW TO PURSUE A WRONGFUL DEATH CASE IN MINNESOTA

The statute of limitations for a wrongful death case in Minnesota is generally three years from the date of death. However, earlier dates can apply in certain circumstances depending on how the accident happened. The first step is to appoint one member of the family as a trustee. The trustee is then the named person in the lawsuit to represent the entire family. A trustee is generally not paid for this service and does not necessarily get extra compensation out of the settlement. Our Minnesota wrongful death attorneys have the experience to guide your family through this process.

At the Rochlin Law Firm, Ltd. our top MN lawyers have helped many grieving families with wrongful death claims when a loved one has been killed in a car accident or because of someone else’s negligence. Often, there are immediate financial concerns that our wrongful death lawyer can assist the family with. Please call our office and speak with an experienced wrongful death attorney for information about your family’s legal rights. The initial consultation is free. We will answer your questions regarding a potential wrongful death claim for someone who died in an accident.

Pam Rochlin and David Rochlin are personal injury lawyers with more than 25 years’ experience. We have successfully represented hundreds of accident victims and their families. We have offices to meet you regarding your wrongful death claim in Minneapolis, Woodbury, Edina, and St. Louis Park.  An attorney can also come to your home to meet the family and discuss your wrongful death case in St. Paul, Roseville, and Maplewood. Also, Stillwater, White Bear Lake, Forest Lake, Brooklyn Center, Maple Grove, Rogers, Elk River, Chanhassen, Chaska, Apple Valley, and other cities throughout Minnesota.

Click Here to Call Now or Schedule a Free Consultation with Pam or David