Our Wrongful Death Lawyers Handle Multiple Types of Cases
West Virginia unfortunately has its share of deaths that could have been prevented if someone hadn’t acted carelessly, disregarded safety precautions, or ignored dangerous situations. At Shaffer & Shaffer, we handle all sorts of wrongful death claims, including:
- Car crashes
- Truck crashes
- Construction or other job site accidents
- Mining accidents
- Accidents on dangerous property
- Defective products or machinery
- Medical malpractice
- Abuse or neglect in nursing homes or care centers
Our wrongful death attorneys act quickly to collect evidence before it disappears, build your case, and get the highest amount of compensation possible for your family after such a tragic loss.
You can seek compensation for several kinds of hardship that a wrongful death puts you through:
- Anguish, grief and suffering
- Loss of support, both financially and in daily life, that your family member provided
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of inheritance your family stood to gain had your loved one lived
Putting a price tag on many of these losses is difficult. It takes evidence, negotiation and knowledge of similar cases.
Shaffer & Shaffer’s West Virginia wrongful death attorneys can guide you in getting fair treatment from the legal system.
Again, nothing can fill the hole left when a loved one dies because of someone else’s mistake. Your well-being is what’s most important now. Shaffer & Shaffer attorneys can be there for you.
If you work with us, you’ll pay no attorney fee until you’ve won compensation.
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What West Virginia Law Says About Wrongful Death Claims
Every state has different laws when it comes to wrongful death and personal injury claims.
Having a wrongful death attorney in West Virginia who knows the law and the judicial system can help you win financial relief after the tragic, preventable loss of a loved one.
It’s important to know that West Virginia law doesn’t let just anyone file a wrongful death lawsuit.
It has to be the “personal representative” of the person who died. This can be a spouse, child, or another relative as long as they have been legally designated to manage a person’s estate and affairs after death.
In other words, this could be the executor of their will or the administrator if your loved one didn’t have a will.
There are time limits, too. The statute of limitations in West Virginia to file a wrongful death case is two years after the date of death.
In the case of medical malpractice, the two years start when you know medical malpractice was the reason for your family member’s death.
Also, if the liable party was under 18 at the time of the incident, the clock starts when they turn 18.
West Virginia is also a “comparative fault” state, which means if your loved one was partly responsible for their death, the damages your family can collect are lower.
For example, if a court decides they were 10 percent at fault, then potential compensation stands at 90 percent of whatever amount a jury or court would otherwise award.
At Shaffer & Shaffer, our lawyers collectively have more than 200 years of experience helping West Virginians, including helping them regain peace after tragic accidents.
We’ve taken hundreds of cases to court and won millions of dollars for our clients.
Get our West Virginia wrongful death lawyers to help you reach better times.
Contact Us Today! »Shaffer & You: Why Work with Us?
Everyday West Virginians can get legal help from one of the most established and respected law firms in the state: Shaffer & Shaffer. Our firm is over a century old and still going strong because we put the needs of our clients first—always.
West Virginia lawyers Ryan Walters and Chip Shaffer in the office at Shaffer & Shaffer.
Have a Question about Personal Injury Claims?
After a life-altering accident, you’re understandably upset, confused and full of questions. To help you get a sense of what’s next, we’ve prepared answers to common questions about personal injury claims and other legal cases.
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