Did you know that medical errors are the third-leading cause of death in the United States? When these errors cost someone their life, the surviving loved ones have the right to file a wrongful death case. Other wrongful death cases can include driving, flying, or working accidents.

If you’ve lost a loved one due to another person’s negligence, you need to hire a wrongful death attorney to help you receive the settlement and justice you deserve. When hiring a lawyer, finding the best one for your unique situation is crucial. Continue reading below to learn five questions to ask a wrongful death attorney in Winter Park.

1. How Much Experience Do You Have With Cases Like Mine?

The attorneys who handle wrongful death lawyers usually specialize in personal injury law. Some law firms may have one or two wider practice scopes. You want to use an attorney who has experience in wrongful death cases specifically.

You may also want to try finding someone who specializes in the specific type of wrongful death case that you’ll be filing. For example, one lawyer may have vast amounts of medical malpractice experience but little or no previous cases related to car accident wrongful deaths. Or vice versa.

2. How Much Time Can You Dedicate to My Case?

It’s no secret that lawyers are busy professionals. But you need to find someone who can dedicate appropriate time to getting you the best possible wrongful death settlement.

Some attorneys take on too many clients and find that they don’t have time to give each case the appropriate attention. This could spell disaster for your wrongful death lawsuit, especially since these are often complex cases.

3. What Is Your Success Rate?

An attorney’s success rate is the percentage of cases they’ve taken vs. how many they’ve won. This number can give you an idea of what your odds are should you choose to hire a particular attorney.

While you want to find the highest success rate possible, aim for a minimum of 80%. Anything below that doesn’t offer a good chance of winning.

4. What Do You Charge for a Wrongful Death Case?

There are different ways an attorney might charge you for representation. The most common wrongful death cases are hourly, flat rate, and contingency.

Hourly

An attorney who charges hourly will track the time invested in your case and multiply that by the hours spent to see how much you owe. For example, if the hourly rate is $200 and they invest 100 hours into your case, you’ll be charged $2,000.

If you’ll be charged hourly, ask what’s included. Will they charge you for travel time to and from the court, if necessary? Will phone calls and emails also be counted toward your total time?

If you are charged for travel, phone calls, or emails, ask how that time will be allotted. For example, will they round up the time to a specific interval, or do they use a different calculation method?

Flat Rate

Flat rate is, by far, the least common method. In rare instances, a lawyer may estimate the time and effort it takes to represent your case and then provide a lump sum. The amount will vary significantly based on the attorney, case, and location.

Contingency

Working on a contingency basis is the most common method of payment used by personal injury lawyers. In this payment model, a lawyer will earn a percentage of your total settlement, which can vary based on numerous factors. For example, an attorney may charge more if a case goes to trial or is complex.

You’ll likely be charged less if your case doesn’t go to court. If you don’t win your case, your attorney won’t receive anything either.

5. Is There Anything Else I Should Know About You or Your Practice?

At the end of any interview, asking whether there’s anything else you should know allows the attorney to share anything they deem important. This may include details of previous cases they didn’t previously share, educational merits, or something else.

Bonus: Do Personal Research Before Hiring a Lawyer

Asking questions isn’t enough to ensure you get the best attorney help. You’ll also want to do some personal research before signing any contracts, either before or after your initial consultation. Most importantly, you’ll want to check online reviews and the state bar.

A quick google search should provide you with detailed reviews of the attorney you’re hoping to hire. Ideally, you’ll want an average rating of 3.5 stars or higher. Of course, the higher the rating, the better.

The experience of previous clients gives you a good idea of what you should expect from your case. Browse some of the written reviews to see what previous clients felt were the attorney’s strengths and weaknesses.

You’ll also want to check The Florida Bar to ensure an attorney is licensed to practice in the state. You can also find out if any actions have previously been taken against a lawyer.

Do You Need Help From a Wrongful Death Attorney?

Losing a loved one to the negligence of another is devastating. Filing a wrongful death case helps your family see some justice and can help pay for final expenses.

If you need the help of a wrongful death attorney around Winter Park, Florida, contact Newsome Law today at (407) 986-1928. You can also use the online contact form on our website if preferred. We’re ready to help win your case with compassion and strength today.