Grand Rapids Wrongful Death Lawyer

Grand Rapids Wrongful Death Lawyer and Filing a Claim

Losing someone you love is one of the hardest things to go through in life. The loss is often even harder when a life is taken during something like a car crash that wasn’t their fault, or due to someone else’s negligence. This is what is known under Michigan law as wrongful death. This means, that the person who has passed, should not have died and it was because someone did something wrong, that their death was caused. Under state law, with the help of a Grand Rapids wrongful death lawyer, the surviving family could be entitled to losses and damages that can be pursued in court. A wrongful death claim falls under a different umbrella than your typical personal injury case, and the process is slightly different. Some key things to note about wrongful death claims include:

• Filing a Claim – First, unlike a regular personal injury case, obviously, someone has died, and that person can’t file a claim for themselves. Therefore there’s a legal process in determining who will prosecute the wrongful death claim. This person is known as the personal representative of the estate (Deceased person). This must be done before a wrongful death claim is filed. The person seeking to be the personal representative must be appointed by what’s called Probate Court. Now, this can happen quickly, in what’s called an informal probate proceeding, or slower in a formal probate proceeding. Generally, informal probate can occur if the person seeking an appointment has statutory priority to serve as the personal representative.
• Who is the Personal Representative – A personal representative can include a number of people such as a spouse, child, parents, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren. Additionally, it should be understood that while one person may be the personal representative, under the law, more than just the personal representative can seek damages, those claims just must fall under the blanket of one case.
• Claims Made in a Wrongful Death Case – When a wrongful death claim is filed, those initiating the lawsuit can seek damages and payment for the following losses: Loss of financial support, loss of services, loss of companionship, medical care, funeral expenses, pain and suffering experienced by the deceased, loss of prospective inheritance.

Grand Rapids Wrongful Death Attorneys with Experience

For more than 70 years, attorneys at Sinas Dramis Law Firm have handled wrongful death claims for Michigan families. It’s because of that experience, we know how difficult the process can be for those involved. Our mission is to ensure our clients are taken care of, and that they don’t feel alone in this process. If you think you’re in need of a wrongful death attorney, we offer a free consultation. Our attorneys travel and will work with you to understand the situation and provide answers to any of your questions. Here are some of our notable wrongful death claim results.

• $7,775,000 – Wrongful death settlement and personal injury settlements for a Michigan family suffering the untimely death of the husband and father of two  as the result of another vehicle turning abruptly in front of the family vehicle. The crash also causes serious physical injuries, and psychological trauma.
• $7,000,000 –Semi-truck collision resulting in death and serious physical injuries to three adult members of one Michigan family. The  semi-truck driver wasn’t paying attention, and made an illegal left turn, causing a violent collision. Obtaining justice for this family required filing suit in another state against the trucking company.

Wrongful Death Attorneys in Grand Rapids | Meet Our Team

If you need a Grand Rapids wrongful death lawyer, our West Michigan team is made of attorneys with years of experience handling these types of cases. When it comes to personal injury law, few are more recognized or highly regarded than firm partner Tom Sinas. He manages this office location, which also includes attorney Brian Lawson.

In 2018, Tom Sinas spent a large portion of his time representing a family, who was involved in a serious car crash. The family traveling along a two-lane road, when another driver turned abruptly in front of their vehicle. Unfortunately, the family member driving the car was killed in the crash, and everyone else was seriously injured. Despite being a very complex case, Tom and his team were able to facilitate a global resolution of  $7,775,000 for the family. Read more about that case.