Proving Negligence in Alabama Wrongful Death Cases

Losing a loved one due to an unexpected wrongful death is an incredibly painful and devastating experience. If you are in Alabama and believe that your loved one's death was caused by someone else's negligence, you should never hesitate to seek justice and hold the responsible party accountable. 

However, justice does not happen automatically, and proving negligence in wrongful death cases can be challenging, requiring an understanding of Alabama's laws and legal procedures. At the Law Office of Richard F. Matthews, Jr., we represent families who have lost a loved one due to negligence. Our Montgomery wrongful death attorney is here to help.

Understanding Wrongful Death and Negligence

In Alabama, a wrongful death claim arises when a person's death is caused by the wrongful act, omission, or negligence of another party. The key factor in establishing a wrongful death claim is proving that the death was the result of someone else's negligence.

Negligence, in legal terms, refers to a failure to exercise the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would have exercised in similar circumstances. To prove negligence in a wrongful death case, your wrongful death attorney must establish several legal elements.

Duty of Care

The first step in proving negligence is establishing that the defendant owed a duty of care to the deceased. This duty of care typically arises when there is a legal relationship between the defendant and the deceased, such as a doctor-patient relationship, employer-employee relationship, or driver-passenger relationship.

Breach of Duty

Once the duty of care is established, the next step is to demonstrate that the defendant breached that duty. This can be shown by proving that the defendant's actions or failure to act fell below the standard of care expected in the given situation.

Causation

To prove negligence, it is crucial to establish a causal link between the defendant's breach of duty and the death of the deceased. This requires demonstrating that the defendant's negligent actions or omissions directly contributed to the wrongful death.

Damages

Lastly, to successfully pursue a wrongful death claim, you must show that the death caused damages. Alabama handles damages for wrongful death cases in a unique way, so you don’t prove the damages your family deserves. Instead, you must demonstrate that if your loved one had lived, they would have had a personal injury claim for certain damages, such as medical bills or pain and suffering. If they would have qualified for damages in a personal injury case, you can satisfy this element of negligence in a wrongful death case.

Proving negligence in a wrongful death case can be a complex legal process that requires expertise and knowledge of Alabama's laws. Always consult with an experienced Montgomery wrongful death lawyer who can guide you through the legal claim process.

Contact a Compassionate Montgomery Wrongful Death Lawyer

Remember, you should never attempt to prove negligence in a wrongful death case alone. Contact the Law Office of Richard F. Matthews, Jr. today to speak with a skilled Montgomery wrongful death lawyer who will fight for your rights and ensure that justice is served. Call us now to schedule your free consultation.