Losing a loved one is devastating, especially when their death could have been prevented. If someone else’s careless actions caused your family member’s death, you may be feeling anger, confusion, and uncertainty about the future.
At Kurtz Riley Law Group, our Phoenix wrongful death lawyers understand your pain and are here to help your family seek justice.
While no amount of compensation can bring back your loved one, a wrongful death claim can provide financial stability and hold negligent parties accountable. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your legal options.
Why Choose Kurtz Riley Law Group’s Phoenix Wrongful Death Attorneys?
When you’re dealing with the tragedy of a wrongful death, you need a law firm that combines legal knowledge with genuine compassion.
At Kurtz Riley Law Group, we approach each wrongful death case with sensitivity and determination, recognizing that we’re not just handling a legal matter – helping a family through one of life’s most difficult experiences.
Our Phoenix wrongful death attorneys have extensive experience representing families who have lost loved ones due to others’ negligence. We’ve successfully handled cases involving car accidents, medical malpractice, workplace incidents, defective products, and more.
Our track record of securing substantial client settlements and verdicts speaks to our commitment and skill.
We understand that no amount of money can replace your loved one. However, financial compensation can help your family address the economic hardships that often follow a sudden death, such as medical bills, funeral expenses, and lost income. More importantly, holding the responsible parties accountable can provide a measure of justice and closure.
Our team approaches each case with thoroughness and dedication. We conduct comprehensive investigations, work with expert witnesses, and build compelling arguments to support your claim. We’ll keep you informed and involved throughout the process, ensuring your questions and concerns are answered.
Wrongful Death Compensation
When you lose a family member due to someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions, Arizona law allows certain surviving family members to seek compensation through a wrongful death claim. This compensation aims to address both the economic and non-economic losses your family has suffered.
At Kurtz Riley Law Group, our Phoenix wrongful death lawyers work diligently to help families recover damages for:
- Medical expenses incurred before death, including emergency care, hospitalization, and treatments
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost income and benefits that the deceased would have earned
- Loss of care, guidance, and nurturing that the deceased would have provided
- Loss of love, companionship, and emotional support
- Pain and suffering the deceased experienced before death
In some cases, punitive damages may be available to punish particularly reckless or malicious conduct.
The value of a wrongful death case depends on various factors, including the deceased’s age, health, and earning capacity; the circumstances of the death; and the relationship between the deceased and surviving family members.
Our experienced attorneys carefully analyze these factors to determine fair compensation and build a strong case for your family.
It’s important to note that Arizona has specific laws regarding who can file a wrongful death claim. Typically, these claims must be brought by the deceased person’s surviving spouse, children, parents, or the personal representative of their estate.
Where Do Wrongful Deaths Occur in Phoenix?
Phoenix’s busy roadways, including Interstates 10 and 17, Loop 101, Loop 202, and major surface streets like Indian School Road, Camelback Road, and 7th Avenue, are frequent sites of fatal traffic accidents.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, Maricopa County consistently records the highest number of traffic fatalities in the state, with hundreds of lives lost each year.
Phoenix’s hospitals and healthcare facilities, while generally providing quality care, can sometimes be sites of fatal medical errors. Major medical centers include Banner University Medical Center, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, and Mayo Clinic, among others.
Construction sites throughout Phoenix’s growing urban landscape present numerous hazards that can lead to fatal accidents. Downtown Phoenix, the expanding light rail corridors, and developing areas in North Phoenix see particularly high levels of construction activity.
Residential settings are also common locations for preventable deaths, including drownings in backyard pools (Phoenix has one of the highest rates of pool ownership in the country), fires, and accidents involving defective products.
Types of Wrongful Death Cases
Our Phoenix wrongful death lawyers handle a wide range of cases involving fatalities caused by negligence or misconduct. Some of the most common types of wrongful death cases we see include:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: Fatal car, truck, motorcycle, and pedestrian accidents often result from speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, or failure to obey traffic laws. These preventable tragedies leave families devastated and seeking answers.
- Medical Malpractice: When healthcare providers fail to meet the standard of care, the consequences can be fatal. Surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication mistakes, and birth injuries can all lead to wrongful death claims against doctors, nurses, hospitals, or healthcare facilities.
- Workplace Accidents: Dangerous working conditions, inadequate safety measures, or employer negligence can result in fatal accidents, particularly in high-risk industries like construction, manufacturing, and transportation.
- Defective Products: Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers have a responsibility to ensure their products are safe. When defective or dangerous products cause fatal injuries, the companies involved may be held liable through a wrongful death claim.
- Premises Liability: Property owners must maintain safe conditions for visitors. Fatal slip and falls, swimming pool accidents, inadequate security leading to assaults, and other dangers on someone else’s property can form the basis of a wrongful death case.
- Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect: When elderly residents die due to abuse, neglect, medication errors, or failures in care at nursing homes or assisted living facilities, families may have grounds for a wrongful death claim.
- Criminal Acts: Even when criminal charges are filed against the person who caused a death, families can still pursue a separate civil wrongful death claim to seek financial compensation.
Proving a Wrongful Death Case
Successfully pursuing a wrongful death claim requires proving several key elements. Our experienced Phoenix wrongful death attorneys know how to build a strong case by establishing:
Duty of Care
We must show that the defendant had a legal obligation to act with reasonable care toward the deceased. For example, drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws, doctors have a duty to provide competent medical care, and manufacturers have a duty to produce safe products.
Breach of Duty
We need to demonstrate that the defendant failed to fulfill their duty of care through negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct.
Causation
There must be a direct link between the defendant’s actions (or failure to act) and your loved one’s death. We must prove that the death would not have occurred if not for the defendant’s negligence.
Damages
Finally, we must document the economic and non-economic losses your family has suffered as a result of the death.
Proving these elements requires thorough investigation, expert testimony, and compelling evidence presentation. At Kurtz Riley Law Group, we have the resources and experience to build the strongest possible case for your family.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unintentional injuries are among the leading causes of death in the United States, with many of these deaths preventable and potentially involving another party’s negligence.
Fighting the Insurance Companies
After a wrongful death, insurance companies often approach surviving family members with settlement offers that seem substantial but fall far short of fair compensation. These companies are protecting their bottom line, not your family’s best interests.
Insurance adjusters may use various tactics to minimize your claim, such as:
- Making quick settlement offers before you understand the full value of your claim
- Questioning the cause of death or suggesting pre-existing conditions were responsible
- Disputing the financial impact of your loved one’s death
- Delaying the claims process in hopes you’ll accept less out of frustration or financial need
- Using statements you make against yourself to reduce liability
At Kurtz Riley Law Group, we know how to counter these tactics. Our Phoenix wrongful death attorneys handle all communications with insurance companies, protecting you from their pressure tactics and ensuring your rights are respected. We thoroughly document your losses, present compelling evidence of liability, and negotiate firmly for the full compensation your family deserves.
If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we’re fully prepared to take your case to trial. Our skilled litigators will present your family’s story to a jury with compassion and conviction. We’ll fight for justice for your loved one and security for your family’s future under Arizona Revised Statutes 12-542 and 12-613. These statutes establish a two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death claims and allow survivors to recover damages for loss of care, companionship, and financial support.
What to Do After a Wrongful Death
In the aftermath of a loved one’s death, taking certain steps can help protect your family’s legal rights while you focus on grieving and supporting one another.
The initial step is to acquire a death certificate, an official document required for legal proceedings and insurance claims.
Then, request medical records. If your loved one received medical treatment before their death, these records can provide important evidence about the cause of death.
You’ll also need to document financial losses. Keep records of funeral expenses, medical bills, and other costs related to your loved one’s death.
Avoid speaking with insurance companies. Don’t give statements or accept settlement offers without consulting our attorneys first.
You must also be careful about what you post online, as insurance companies often monitor social media accounts for information they can use against your claim.
Finally, contact Kurtz Riley Law Group. The sooner you reach out to our Phoenix wrongful death attorneys, the sooner we can begin investigating your case and protecting your rights.
How Our Phoenix Wrongful Death Lawyers Can Help
Losing a loved one is devastating enough without having to navigate the complex legal system alone. Our experienced wrongful death attorneys take care of the legal details so you can focus on your family.
Here’s how we can help:
Thorough Investigation
We conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of your loved one’s death, gathering evidence such as accident reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert opinions.
Determining Liability
Our experienced team identifies all parties who may be held responsible for your loved one’s death, whether it’s an individual, a company, a healthcare provider, or a government entity.
Calculating Fair Compensation
We work with economic experts to accurately calculate your family’s financial losses, including future lost income and benefits, and we help quantify non-economic damages like loss of companionship.
Managing Legal Deadlines
In Arizona, wrongful death claims must be filed within two years in most cases. We ensure that all necessary paperwork is filed correctly and on time.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Our skilled negotiators deal with insurance companies on your behalf, working to secure a fair settlement that reflects the value of your claim.
Representing You in Court
If a fair settlement can’t be reached, our experienced trial attorneys will present your case in court, advocating passionately for your family’s rights and interests.
Providing Compassionate Support
We offer understanding and guidance throughout the legal process, answering your questions and keeping you informed about your case.
At Kurtz Riley Law Group, we handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. It means you pay no upfront costs, and we only collect fees if we secure compensation for your family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wrongful Death in Arizona
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Arizona?
Under Arizona law, the surviving spouse, children, parents, or the personal representative of the deceased’s estate may file a wrongful death claim.
What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death in Arizona?
Generally, you have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit (A.R.S. § 12-542).
What damages are available in a wrongful death case?
Eligible family members may recover compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost income, loss of companionship, and other economic and non-economic losses.
Can I recover compensation for the pain and suffering my loved one experienced before death?
Pain and suffering damages are typically available through a separate survival action, not a wrongful death claim.
Call the Phoenix Wrongful Death Lawyers at Kurtz Riley Law Group
If your family is struggling with the loss of a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions, the compassionate legal team at Kurtz Riley Law Group is here to help. We understand that no amount of compensation can replace what you’ve lost, but pursuing a wrongful death claim can provide financial security and a sense of justice during this difficult time.
Our experienced Phoenix wrongful death lawyers will guide you through the legal process with sensitivity and skill, fighting tirelessly for the compensation your family deserves. We’re committed to holding negligent parties accountable and helping prevent similar tragedies from happening to other families.
Contact us at (623) 303-5754 for your free, confidential consultation. We’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain your legal options. There’s no obligation, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.