Personal Injury
Wrongful Death
Losing someone you love can leave you grieving and searching for answers at the same time. Stansberry Kinsley’s wrongful-death lawyers help families in Cullman, Alabama, understand the legal questions after a death caused by another person’s actions.
Start with what happened. You do not need to have every answer before asking for a case review.
Your situation
Is this the help you need?
You can begin with your questions
You may want to understand how the death happened, who can speak for the family or what a legal claim would involve. We can review the circumstances and explain the steps that may be available. You can bring the information you have without trying to sort out the legal process first.
Who can bring the case?
Alabama has specific rules about who may file a wrongful-death lawsuit. In an adult case under Alabama Code Section 6-5-410, the action is generally brought by the estate’s personal representative—the person appointed by the court to act for the estate. The appropriate appointment and filing steps depend on the circumstances.
Is there a deadline?
An action under Section 6-5-410 generally must be started within two years after the death. The appointment of a representative and the filing of the lawsuit need to be considered together when reviewing that deadline.
What to keep
Start with the information you have.
Keep available records together. This is a starting list, not a requirement to gather everything before getting in touch.
What information will help?
Bring any incident report, correspondence, medical information and estate documents already available to you. It also helps to know who has been communicating with an insurer or handling an estate proceeding. We’ll explain what else may be needed after learning about your family’s situation.
Ask about timing early.
Deadlines depend on the kind of claim and the people or agencies involved. Some claims require notice before a lawsuit deadline. Ask for a prompt review of the dates that apply to your situation.
The next step
What happens next.
A case review is a place to begin understanding the questions your situation raises.
Explain what happened.
Start with when and where it happened, how you were affected, and the questions you want answered.
Review the available information.
Discuss the records you have and the information that may help clarify the facts, insurance questions, and timing.
Understand the next step.
Ask what further information may be needed and which next steps may be appropriate for your circumstances.
What will it cost?
A Free Case Review costs nothing. Many personal injury cases use a contingency fee, which means the attorney’s fee is a percentage of any recovery. Before you decide whether to hire us, we’ll explain the proposed fee, any payment due upfront and how case expenses would be handled. Depending on the agreement, you may be responsible for some expenses even if no attorney’s fee is owed.
Talk with us
If your family has questions after a death, we’re available to talk. Request a Free Case Review or call 844-327-5529.
You can start with the questions you have.