If you have lost a family member because of another person’s negligent or intentional act, it can be extremely distressing.
On top of that, finding the right wrongful death lawyer in your area can add to your stress.
The team at Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen are highly experienced wrongful death attorneys.
We are here to reduce some of your burdens by doing our utmost to fight for you.
However, if you are not in the Kansas City area or want to explore your options, we are here to help you find the best wrongful death lawyer near you.
We’ve compiled this list of seven ways to find the best wrongful death lawyer based on our extensive experience as wrongful death litigators.
1. Ask Your Network
You may be wondering how to find a wrongful death attorney. One way to find the best wrongful death lawyer near you is to contact your network.
Speak with your family and friends to see if they can recommend a trusted lawyer. They may also be able to warn you about attorneys that you should avoid.
You can also speak with colleagues and acquaintances about who they might recommend.
Remember, each individual’s circumstances vary. Thus, the lawyers that your network recommends may not be the perfect fit for you.
Nonetheless, discussing possibilities with people you know can help you to create a list of potential attorneys.
2. Check for Positive Reviews
Another way to find a knowledgeable wrongful death lawyer is to search for reviews. Various websites can provide you with client and peer reviews of attorneys.
The following websites can be useful:
- Avvo,
- Super Lawyers, and
- Martindale-Hubbell.
For example, our attorneys have been named as top attorneys by Super Lawyers. We also hold the preeminent rating and client champion award on Martindale-Hubbell.
Websites such as these allow you to input your location and the area of law to find a lawyer to meet your specific criteria.
For example, if you want to file a wrongful death lawsuit, you’ll indicate that in your search criteria along with your city and state.
However, if you are in Kansas City, MO, our attorneys at Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen are here to help you.
3. Determine the Attorney’s Experience with Wrongful Death Lawsuits
When looking for a wrongful death attorney, you want to ensure they have experience in wrongful death claims.
A general practitioner may not be the best match unless they have specific experience litigating wrongful death cases. However, many general practitioners do not regularly handle complex wrongful death matters.
Instead, you should find an attorney who has successfully handled plenty of wrongful death claims.
Our lawyers at Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen have achieved multi-million dollar recoveries for clients in wrongful death cases and others.
Plus, we stay up-to-date on laws affecting wrongful death cases. Feel free to ask us questions about our experience with wrongful death matters.
4. Assess Their Communication Skills
When hiring a lawyer, you must choose one with excellent communication skills. A good lawyer will inform you about any progress made on your case. Plus, they’ll be accessible and responsive.
For example, they should return your phone calls and emails as soon as possible.
You shouldn’t feel belittled or unimportant with a good attorney. Instead, you should feel like you are their focus when meeting.
One good way to gauge an attorney’s communication skills is to schedule a consultation. Most lawyers offer free consultations to prospective clients.
For example, Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen offer our prospective clients a free consultation.
We also pride ourselves on our accessibility to clients when they need us most. We provide evening and weekend appointments for free consultations.
Our attorneys can also visit injured clients or their family advocates in the hospital or at home.
5. Determine If Their Personality Is a Good Match
Another way to choose the best wrongful death lawyer is to see if your personalities mesh.
For example, you may want an attorney that is compassionate and attentive. And you may need someone who is aggressive toward others but makes you feel supported.
You also want them to be honest and straightforward. You should include personality considerations when you prepare for free consultations with your list of attorneys.
6. Learn What Questions to Ask a Prospective Attorney
When narrowing down your list of potential attorneys, make a list of the questions you should ask them. You can bring these up in your free consultation.
A few pertinent questions you should ask when meeting with an attorney are:
- Whether they have ever been subject to disciplinary action;
- How many wrongful death cases they’ve handled;
- Whether they’ve gone to trial on a wrongful death lawsuit;
- How many wrongful death cases they’ve won or settled, and
- Whether the lawyer has enough time for you given their current caseload.
You should ask about a lawyer’s current workload to ensure your claim receives the attention it deserves. You could also ask what members of their legal team will be working on your claim.
Taking the time to ask these questions will help you find the best possible wrongful death lawyer.
7. Understand the Attorney’s Fees
You will also need to ask about the lawyer’s fees. Every lawyer has a different fee structure, so it is essential to learn this information when you meet with them.
A few possible fee structures an attorney may use include the following:
- Contingency fees,
- Hourly rates, and
- Flat fees.
Be sure to thoroughly understand exactly how the attorney plans to charge you before you agree to hire them.
Remember that while you should hire a lawyer you can afford, a wrongful death lawsuit is not the place to cut costs.
Contact Our Kansas City Wrongful Death Attorneys
If you need a high-quality wrongful death attorney, the team at Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen is here to help. Our wrongful death lawyers can aid you in recovering compensation for your wrongful death losses.
In addition, we have a skillful medical team that can help strengthen your claim. Contact us today for more details about how to file your wrongful death claim.
Our lawyers have over 20 years of experience in litigation and are ready to fight for you. We believe in a client-first approach and are here for you every step of the way.
Schedule a free wrongful death case evaluation.
Contact Us Now
The legal team at Dempsey Kingsland Osteen works to ensure that the injured are fully compensated for their lasting injuries from medical malpractice or other negligence. We push for comprehensive damages that anticipate the long-term needs of our clients, rather than taking a quick settlement out of convenience.
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