A wrongful death lawsuit is a legal claim brought by the heirs of someone who died in an incident. Understandably, these situations can be emotional and intense experiences for the litigants involved, making it easy for them to become overwhelmed during the process. Your best course of action for effectively navigating your case is to learn what to expect from that process. Below, a personal injury attorney from the Law Office of Steven Privette in Willow Springs, MO, shares an outline of what typically occurs during such a suit.

Discovery & Filing Motions

Discovery is the process through which both sides of the lawsuit request and share information freely between one another. This is done so each faction can build the strongest case possible. Materials like evidence, documentation, and records of depositions and testimonies are among the most common types passed between litigants at this stage.

Once this aspect is complete, both sides have the right to file legal motions. These are written requests submitted to the court asking the judge to rule or provide further direction on specific components of the case. For wrongful death claims, these tend to center on disputes over evidence or appeals for more information from the opposing side.

Settlement Conference

During the conference, your personal injury attorney and the lawyer for the opposing party will sit down with the judge to explore the possibility of a settlement. In general, a trial should be considered a last-ditch option. The judge works with both sides to try to come to mutually agreeable terms; sometimes this is successful, other times not.

Trial & Aftermath

If the settlement conference finds no resolution, the lawsuit proceeds to a courtroom trial. Both sides present their testimony and evidence, and either a judge or jury hands down a verdict. The losing party has the right to file an appeal. Once this is completed, the collection process for obtaining the awarded funds—if any—commences, and it is the last step in a wrongful death suit.

Don't take on a wrongful death case by yourself. Let the Law Office of Steven Privette be your legal advocate. Attorney Privette and his team have been practicing for over 30 years and offer quality support and guidance at every stage of civil litigation. Call (417) 469-3535 or visit the firm's website to make an appointment with a personal injury attorney today.