Wrongful Death Attorney in Jackson
Having your family member or loved one die due to someone else’s negligence is overwhelming. The emotional loss is huge, and so is the financial hardship your family must face. These include extensive final medical bills, funeral costs, a loss of income that your household depended on, and a future that looks nothing like you thought it would.
At Williams Newman Williams, our Jackson wrongful death lawyers are here to fight for your rights and demand maximum compensation and the accountability you deserve. We have over four decades of combined experience and have recovered millions of dollars for our clients, and are ready to help in your time of need.
If someone else’s actions or inaction cost you the life of a person you love, we want to hear your story. Contact us today to get started with your free, fully confidential case review.
Why Choose WNW for Your Jackson, MS, Wrongful Death Case?
A wrongful death case demands more than just legal knowledge. It demands relentless preparation, honest communication, and attorneys who treat your loss with the gravity it deserves. At WNW, we bring all of that and more to every case we take on.
From your first conversation with us, we prioritize getting to know you and developing a full understanding of your situation. When you have questions, we provide answers. If you need to talk, we are available. Our attorneys communicate clearly and consistently, keeping you informed about your case status from day one, so you always feel heard and taken seriously.
Our wrongful death law firm exclusively handles serious personal injury and wrongful death matters. We also have a significant advantage that few firms can match: our lawyers previously worked as defense attorneys, which means they know exactly how insurance companies think and negotiate in high-stakes wrongful death cases. This insight has helped us recover millions of dollars for clients across Mississippi.
When we take a wrongful death case, we approach it as though it will head straight to a judge and jury. Our courtroom-level preparation signals to opposing counsel and insurers that we mean business, which positions our clients for stronger outcomes from the start. This strategy has resulted in a strong track record of success in Hinds County Circuit Court and in other state and federal courts, including the Mississippi Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit.
In addition, you pay nothing unless we at WNW recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. Our lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis, which means there are no fees unless we get you a settlement or verdict for your case.
Reach out to us today to schedule your free, no-risk, fully confidential consultation.
What Compensation Could You Recover in a Wrongful Death Claim?
A successful wrongful death claim can get you compensation for a wide range of losses your family has suffered. Though specific types and amounts will depend on the facts of your case, state law allows wrongful death beneficiaries in Mississippi to seek compensation for the following:
- Medical and Funeral Costs – Bills for treatment the deceased received before death, as well as funeral and burial expenses
- Lost Income and Future Earnings – The wages and financial contributions your loved one would have provided to your family over the course of their life
- Loss of Services – The practical, day-to-day contributions the deceased made to the household that your family must now do without
- Loss of Society and Companionship – The loss of your loved one’s guidance, care, and presence
- Emotional Distress – The lasting psychological toll your loved one’s death has taken on the family
In cases where the responsible party was especially and knowingly negligent or reckless, the court may also award punitive damages. These monetary awards are intended specifically to punish the wrongdoer and discourage similar conduct in the future.
When you meet with a WNW attorney, we can assess your case and explain what compensation your family may be entitled to pursue.
How Are Wrongful Death Settlements Paid Out in Mississippi?
Are you wondering, “How are wrongful death settlements paid out?” The answer depends on the relationship between the surviving family members and the person/people who died. Under Mississippi’s wrongful death statute, any compensation awarded as part of a wrongful death claim is paid out according to a specific order:
- If the deceased was married with children, the compensation is divided equally between the surviving spouse and children.
- If the deceased was married with no children, the spouse receives the full amount.
- If the deceased was unmarried with children, the compensation goes to their surviving children.
- If the deceased had no spouse or children, the compensation gets distributed equally among surviving parents, siblings, or both.
In most cases, wrongful death settlements are paid out as a single lump sum, although structured settlements that distribute payments over time are also possible. An attorney at WNW can walk you through what to expect in your specific situation and fight for the maximum compensation you are owed.
What Must You Prove in a Wrongful Death Case?
To succeed in a wrongful death case, you must demonstrate that another party’s conduct caused your loved one’s death and that your family suffered real losses as a result. At its core, every successful wrongful death case must demonstrate the following three things:
- Responsibility – The at-fault party acted carelessly, recklessly, or intentionally in a way that a reasonable person would not have.
- Causation – Their conduct directly contributed to your loved one’s preventable death.
- Harm – Your family suffered real, demonstrable losses as a result of the death.
The stronger and more complete your evidence of these three factors, the better your position will be during settlement negotiations or at trial.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Mississippi?
Not everyone can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Mississippi. Under state law, only the following parties have the right to bring a claim:
- The deceased’s spouse
- The deceased’s children
- The deceased’s parents
- The deceased’s siblings
- The personal representative of the deceased’s estate
Mississippi law also extends these rights to the parents and children of unborn children in certain circumstances. Adopted children and adoptive parents hold the same rights as biological relatives under the statute. The court allows only one wrongful death lawsuit per death, though all eligible parties may join together in a single action.
If you are unsure whether you have the right to file, a Mississippi wrongful death lawyer at WNW can review your situation and explain your options.
How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Mississippi?
The Mississippi wrongful death statute of limitations sets strict deadlines for filing a claim. In most wrongful death cases, you have three years from the date of death to file a lawsuit. However, in some cases, the timeline is even shorter. For example, if the death resulted from medical malpractice, the filing window is shortened to two years.
If you miss the applicable filing deadline, you could lose your right to file a lawsuit entirely, so do not delay. Get in touch with our wrongful death lawyers in Jackson immediately so we can review and prepare your case while the evidence is still fresh and witnesses are still available.
What Are Common Wrongful Death Causes?
Any time a person’s death results from another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct, the surviving family may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim. Common causes of wrongful death in Mississippi include the following:
- Motor Vehicle Crashes – Car wrecks, truck collisions, and motorcycle crashes are among the leading causes of wrongful death in Mississippi.
- Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect – If a facility fails to provide adequate care, the consequences can be fatal. WNW is the most-referred law firm in Mississippi for nursing home abuse and neglect cases, and we are all too familiar with how common this type of wrongful death is.
- Medical Malpractice – Misdiagnoses, surgical errors, medication mistakes, and other failures by healthcare providers can cost patients their lives.
- Premises Liability – Property owners who fail to keep their premises safe for visitors can bear responsibility if hazardous property conditions cause someone to be killed.
- Intentional Acts – If deliberate wrongdoing, such as assaultive behavior, causes a death, the deceased’s survivors may pursue a wrongful death claim alongside any criminal proceedings.
What Can a Jackson, MS, Lawyer Do for Your Wrongful Death Case?
A wrongful death attorney in Jackson from WNW can take on every aspect of your case so you and your family can focus on grieving, healing, and moving forward. The following is an overview of just some of what we can do for you:
- Investigate the Death Thoroughly – Our lawyers can gather medical records, witness statements, and other evidence to build a complete picture of what happened and who is responsible.
- Identify All Liable Parties – In many wrongful death cases, more than one party bears responsibility. We can examine all potential sources of accountability to determine who should be named in the claim.
- Calculate the Full Value of Your Claim – We work with financial and medical professionals to determine the true scope of your family’s economic and non-economic losses.
- Handle All Communication with Insurers – Insurance companies do not have your best interests in mind; they are more concerned with their bottom line. We manage every interaction with them so they cannot take advantage of your grief.
- Take Your Case to Trial If Necessary: If insurers refuse to offer fair wrongful death compensation, we are fully prepared to argue your case before a judge or jury.
- Charge Nothing Unless and Until We Resolve Your Case – You pay nothing upfront or out of pocket for us to work on your case. Instead, attorney’s fees come as an agreed-upon percentage of the compensation we recover for you.
Contact a Jackson, MS, Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
After someone else’s negligence resulted in a loved one’s death, your family deserves justice. However, time is not on your side. The sooner you speak with an attorney from WNW, the sooner we can begin protecting your rights and building the strongest case possible.
Our attorneys are ready to listen, answer your questions honestly, and put our extensive experience to work for you. Contact our Jackson wrongful death attorneys now for your free, fully confidential case evaluation.
When You Need a Win, turn to WNW.
