Phoenix Wrongful Death Lawyer

At Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP, our wrongful death lawyers offer compassionate and dedicated legal assistance to families in the Phoenix area who have lost loved ones due to the careless or wrongful acts of others. We understand that this is an incredibly difficult time for your family. Our lawyers are here to provide support and legal guidance when you need it the most. Contact us today for a free case evaluation at our local law office.

Why We Are the Right Choice in Phoenix

• Our trial attorneys have obtained record-setting jury verdicts and settlements for our wrongful death clients. This includes a $39.5 million settlement in a case involving a negligent truck driver, a $50 million settlement for deaths caused by an explosion, and a $94 million settlement for a family who suffered the loss of loved ones due to corporate negligence.
• Our Phoenix personal injury lawyers have a reputation for excellence in the legal community. We are an award-winning law firm that has repeatedly been recognized for our work by legal organizations, other trial attorneys and publications worldwide.
• You and your family will come first with your wrongful death attorney. We offer client-centered legal representation every step of the way. You don’t pay any attorney’s fees unless we obtain a recovery for you in your wrongful death case.

How an Attorney Can Help

A wrongful death claim in Arizona can involve complicated laws and legal processes that may be difficult for your family to navigate while you are also grieving the loss of your loved one. An attorney can thoroughly investigate the fatal accident, determine who is at fault, collect evidence, get you answers, hire highly qualified experts to support your case, and resolve your case through negotiation or litigation. Whether your case is settled or goes to trial, our attorneys will do everything they can to obtain justice for you and your family.

What Is Arizona’s Definition of Wrongful Death?

Every state has its own definition of what constitutes wrongful death. If the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s fatal injury or illness meet statutory and evidentiary standards, your family may have grounds to pursue financial compensation.

Arizona Revised Statute 12-611 states:

• 12-611. Liability – When death of a person is caused by wrongful act, neglect or default, and the act, neglect or default is such as would, if death had not ensued, have entitled the party injured to maintain an action to recover damages in respect thereof, then, and in every such case, the person who or the corporation which would have been liable if death had not ensued shall be liable to an action for damages, notwithstanding the death of the person injured, and although the death was caused under such circumstances as amount in law to murder in the first or second degree or manslaughter.

In Arizona, if a deceased individual would have had grounds to file a personal injury claim against a defendant had he or she survived the injury, a wrongful death claim may be filed after the death by eligible parties. Wrongful death claims can be based on negligence, or the failure to use reasonable care, as well as reckless or intentional acts of wrongdoing.

Examples of Wrongful Death in Phoenix

Many different types of fatal accidents and preventable incidents in Arizona can lead to wrongful death claims. It is critical to find an experienced Phoenix car accident attorney with experience in your practice area for the strongest possible representation.

Our attorneys have extensive experience handling many types of wrongful death cases, including:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Truck accidents
• Drunk and drugged driving accidents
• Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Bus accidents
• Aviation accidents
• Defective product incidents
• Premises liability accidents
• Workplace accidents
• Fires and explosions
• School incidents
• Drownings
• Acts of violence

This is not a comprehensive list of all of our wrongful death practice areas. For information about a specific case, request a free case consultation.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Phoenix?

Arizona law permits certain surviving family members or the personal representative of the deceased individual to file a wrongful death cause of action.

Arizona Revised Statute Section 12-612(A) gives this right to: “the surviving husband or wife, child, parent or guardian, or personal representative of the deceased person for and on behalf of the surviving husband or wife, children or parents, or if none of these survive, on behalf of the decedent’s estate.” 

If the deceased person was under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian may file a wrongful death claim. Any amount awarded to a plaintiff in a wrongful death claim will be distributed to the parties mentioned above in proportion to their damages.

What Is the Statute of Limitations on a Phoenix Wrongful Death Claim?

A statute of limitations is a law that places a time limit on a plaintiff’s ability to file a civil suit. A strict time limit applies to all wrongful death claims filed in Phoenix under Arizona Revised Statute Section 12-542.

This law states:

12-542. Injury to person; injury when death ensues; injury to property; conversion of property; forcible entry and forcible detainer; two year limitation

Except as provided in section 12-551 there shall be commenced and prosecuted within two years after the cause of action accrues, and not afterward, the following actions:

• For injuries done to the person of another when death ensues from such injuries, which action shall be considered as accruing at the death of the party injured.

While specific situations can extend or shorten the statute of limitations, families in Arizona  generally have no more than two years from the date of the death to file wrongful death claims. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to avoid missing your deadline to file.

What Damages Are Available for a Wrongful Death in Phoenix?

Your family may be eligible for both economic and noneconomic wrongful death damages, or financial compensation, from the party or parties found responsible for the death.

Available damages may include:

• Reasonable funeral and burial expenses
• The decedent’s final medical bills
• Lost wages and benefits the decedent would have earned had he or she survived
• Loss of the decedent’s love, affection, companionship, care, protection, and guidance
• Survivors’ pain, grief, sorrow, anguish, stress, shock, and mental suffering already experienced, and reasonably probable to be experienced in the future.

We understand that no amount of financial compensation could ever be enough to alleviate the pain of the loss that you suffered. We hope that by securing a fair recovery for your family, we can help you plan for the future with less financial stress during this difficult and emotional time.

Contact Our Phoenix Wrongful Death Lawyer Today for a Free Consultation

If you have lost a beloved member of your family due to someone else’s negligent or wrongful actions, protect your rights by seeking legal representation as soon as possible. At Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP, initial consultations are free and we never charge a dime upfront for our services.

Contact us today to find out how we can help your family seek justice for a wrongful death in Phoenix. Call us at (877) 800-1700.