A wrongful death lawsuit can take anywhere from close to a year to several years to settle or reach a verdict. The outcome depends upon the facts and circumstances of your case. If your family member’s death was caused by someone else’s negligence, you could seek compensation for the estate and on behalf of some family members. Wrongful death and loss of consortium claims will help you pay for your associated financial and emotional losses.
In This Post
The death of a family member can leave you reeling with legal questions. In this blog post, I will answer the following questions:
- How Much Time Does New Mexico Allow You to File a Wrongful Death Claim?
- What Elements Affect the Timeline of a Wrongful Death Case?
- How Much Is a Wrongful Death Case Worth?
- How Will a Wrongful Death Lawyer Help Me?
You can also learn about the different types of negligent accident cases involving fatalities by checking out this article.
How Much Time Does New Mexico Allow You to File a Wrongful Death Claim?
In New Mexico, for most cases, you have up to three (3) years to file a wrongful death claim from the date of your family member’s death. Missing this deadline prevents you from filing an insurance claim or civil lawsuit against the liable parties. You do not want to miss the statute of limitation that may apply to your case. Some claims against some entities may have shorter filing deadlines and even shorter notice deadlines.
Other Deadlines May Apply
New Mexico’s statute of limitations is not the only deadline for which you need to be aware. You should also take into account the various notification deadlines and obligations that apply to wrongful death cases. The most proactive way that you can avoid missing applicable case deadlines is by speaking with a lawyer.
What Elements Affect the Timeline of a Wrongful Death Case?
When you hire a wrongful death lawyer, we will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death. In some cases, the police may have a thorough report in place, which can also reduce the amount of time your case takes.
There could also be disputes regarding the at-fault parties. The person who negligently killed your family member could argue that they did not cause the accident. These allegations may require your attorney to hire an expert witness to provide their opinion regarding the facts and circumstances.
For more information about proving a wrongful death case, here is an article I wrote that will help.
How Much Is a Wrongful Death Case Worth?
Establishing the estimated value of a wrongful death case involves many factors and is challenging without getting the opinion of an attorney. Not only are funeral and medical expenses on the line, but the surviving family members can recover an award for the losses they suffered as well. Family losses are more difficult to estimate since they are not always tangible or objective in nature.
Some of these awards include:
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of guidance
- Loss of protection
- Loss of enjoyment of relations
- And more
A wrongful death attorney will compare the factors of your case to those with similar circumstances and our experience. We will also work with expert witnesses to assert your rights to a settlement and prove the value of your case.
Related Article: How Long Do Wrongful Death Lawsuits Take to Settle?
How Will a Wrongful Death Lawyer Help Me?
New Mexico wrongful death lawyers have experience handling these types of matters. We can fully investigate the case, review the facts and evidence to establish a fair demand amount for your family and then advocate for you with the insurance companies and at-fault party to secure an award. If they do not accept responsibility or unreasonably undervalue the claim, your attorney can litigate your case in court and ultimately fight for you before a jury.
My office can also advise you on state-specific laws that can affect the outcome of your case. You will have the information you need to make decisions at every critical point.
Discuss Your Options with a Free Case Evaluation
In a no-cost, no-obligation setting, you can discuss your case with a New Mexico wrongful death attorney. Call Grano Law Offices, P.C. for a Free Case Evaluation at (505) 426-8711. You are also welcomed to send me a direct message through the secure contact form below.
We offer convenient communication options, including video chat. If you decide to hire me, I will not charge you advance attorneys’ fees to represent your case. We do not get paid until you win your case.
