A loved one’s death is heartbreaking, especially when it’s caused by someone else’s negligence. If your family is facing a wrongful death, an experienced Grand Rapids wrongful death lawyer from our personal injury law firm can guide you through the legal process of a wrongful death suit. Call us for a confidential consultation.
In this Article
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Wrongful Death Accident in Grand Rapids?
How Does a Grand Rapids Personal Injury Lawyer Prove Wrongful Death?
To have a successful wrongful death claim, an experienced wrongful death attorney will establish four facts:
Duty of care: the other party had a responsibility to act safely.
Breach of duty: they acted negligently or harmfully.
Causation: death occurred when their actions caused the fatal accident.
Damages: the death led to losses like medical bills or emotional pain.
What Is a Wrongful Death in Michigan?
Wrongful death occurs when someone dies because an accident happened due to another person’s negligence or intentional actions. Common examples include car accidents, truck crashes, medical malpractice, or unsafe workplace conditions.
Who Can File a Michigan Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Under Michigan law, only certain individuals can file a wrongful death lawsuit. Per MCL – Section 600.2922, the personal representative of the victim’s estate—usually a surviving spouse, parent, or adult child—can file claims on behalf of beneficiaries to recover compensation for funeral expenses and more. If you’re unsure about your rights, our Grand Rapids wrongful death attorneys are here to help.
Common Types of Accidents That Cause Wrongful Death in Grand Rapids, MI
Serious injuries can lead to wrongful deaths due to negligence or wrongful acts in circumstances like:
Car and truck accidents
Unsafe workplaces or conditions
Medical errors, birth injuries, or malpractice
Slips and falls on hazardous properties
Defective or unsafe products
Nursing home negligence
Who Can Be Held Accountable for a Wrongful Death?
Individuals or organizations can be held accountable in personal injury cases if their negligence or wrongful actions lead to a death. This can include employers, drivers, property owners, healthcare providers, or manufacturers of defective products.
How Does Michigan’s No-Fault Law Affect Wrongful Death Claims?
Michigan is a no-fault state, meaning all drivers must carry PIP insurance to cover minor injuries, regardless of fault. Drivers can choose from various PIP coverage levels to cover medical expenses, lost wages, attendant care, and some funeral and burial expenses.
In cases of wrongful death, families are eligible for survivor’s benefits and may also sue an at-fault driver for additional damages like pain and suffering (if the victim is less than 50% at fault). If you have questions about insurance claims, our lawyers can assist you.
What Is Not Considered Wrongful Death in Michigan?
Under Michigan state law, deaths from natural causes, unavoidable accidents, and cases where the deceased is at fault are generally not considered wrongful death cases. A wrongful death attorney can assist in determining whether your case meets the legal criteria for a wrongful death claim.
What Is My Grand Rapids Wrongful Death Case Worth?
The monetary value of wrongful death cases includes economic and non-economic damages and depends on factors like medical bills (approved by medical records), lost income, funeral costs, emotional trauma, and sometimes punitive damages.
While no amount of money can replace a loved one, compensation can provide financial support and a sense of justice. We help evaluate our clients’ claims, gather available evidence (like witness statements, police reports, and video footage), negotiate with insurers, and ensure clients get the compensation they deserve.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Wrongful Death Case?
The timeline for wrongful death settlements can vary, often taking months or years to resolve, depending on complexity, evidence, negotiations, and court schedules. Our experienced attorneys work hard to resolve cases quickly while ensuring you get the fair compensation you deserve.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Michigan?
According to MCL – Section 600.5805, you have three years to file a wrongful death claim. Some exceptions may apply, so consult an experienced lawyer as soon as possible to avoid missing deadlines.
Call Us for a Free Initial Consultation
If you’ve lost a loved one to fatal injuries in Kent County or elsewhere in Michigan, the legal team in our personal injury law firm is here to support you and your family members. We are dedicated to helping you hold the negligent party accountable and pursue justice through a personal injury lawsuit. Reach out to us today for a free consultation; we can explain grieving families’ legal options to recover damages.
Get help from a Grand Rapids, MI wrongful death lawyer when you've lost a loved one because of someone else's negligence.
$7.5 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when a support wall fell and struck him. (Highest award on record for a construction injury in DuPage County at the time).
$3.2 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when he fell in an uncovered foundation trench, ranking as the highest award on record for a construction injury in McHenry County at the time.
$3 Million
Recovery for the family of a man struck by a garbage truck that was making an illegal turn.
$2.2 Million
Recovery for a salesman injured in an automobile collision.
$2 Million
Recovery for a man struck by a speeding vehicle as he waited for the CTA bus.
$1.5 Million
Recovery for a truck driver that was struck by another car on the expressway while his vehicle was disabled.
$1.4 Million
Recovery for a computer programmer that slipped and fell in the washroom at work.
Recovery for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a parking lot. At the time, this was the second-highest recovery on record in DuPage County for a similar injury.
$800,000
Recovered for a disputed wrongful death claim against a trucking company. The company denied they were involved in the collision.
$660,000
Recovery for a truck driver that was injured while unloading his trailer.
$550,000
Recovery for a person who slipped and fell in a grocery store.
$550,000
Recovery for a woman who injured her neck in a motor vehicle collision.
$500,000
Recovery for a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle while standing on the sidewalk.
$460,000
Recovery for a truck driver that tripped and fell in the parking lot while making a delivery.
$450,000
Recovery for a dental assistant who slipped and fell at work on an unnatural accumulation of ice.
$425,000
Recovery for a union worker struck by a speeding vehicle.
$425,000
Recovery for a passenger in a vehicle struck by an inexperienced driver.
$415,000
Recovered for a woman that required neck surgery after aggravating an existing neck injury in a truck accident.
$400,000
Recovery for a lab technician injured while transporting equipment.
$370,000
Recovery for a construction worker injured on faulty equipment at a construction site.
$315,000
Recovery for a motorist struck by a falling utility pole.
$310,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$300,000
Recovery for a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.
$250,000
Recovery for a young woman struck by another vehicle.
$250,000
Recovered for a woman who sustained a partial finger amputation and other injuries in a rollover car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$250,000
Recovered for a 60-year-old woman involved in a car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man hit by a semi-truck while operating a go-cart.
$240,000
Recovery for the injured party struck by another vehicle.
$235,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$235,000
Recovery for an inventory clerk injured when shelving toppled onto her.
$219,000
Recovery for a restaurant patron that slipped and fell in the bathroom.
$200,000
Recovered for an airline employee struck on the runway at O’Hare International Airport.
$190,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$175,000
Recovered for a child injured by fireworks at a fourth of July celebration.
$170,000
Recovered for a person injured when she slipped and fell exiting a major retail store.
$150,000
Recovered for a woman who fractured her leg when she was struck by a vehicle.
Latisha S.
Great service. They helped me get my money, and everyone was very pleasant even though the health insurance took a while. Everything was on point on Kryder’s side.
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