Results Matter
If your loved one has lost their life as a result of another person’s actions, contact the Jackson wrongful death attorneys at Mama Justice to explore legal options available for you.
Every day, accidents take place in Jackson that have a life-changing impact on families. Whether your loved one lost their life in a car accident, while on the job, or as a result of another person’s malicious actions, you will most likely deal with overwhelming mental and emotional trauma. The financial burdens your family will be forced to endure only make the process of moving forward even more difficult.
If your loved one has lost their life as a result of another person’s reckless, careless, or negligent actions, the Jackson wrongful death lawyers at Mama Justice are here to help. We understand that there is nothing more difficult than losing a loved one. You will most likely have several questions about what you can do next. We will stand by your side every step of the way as we move forward to protect your legal rights.
Our law firm represents families in Jackson and throughout Northeastern Mississippi who have lost loved ones due to the actions of others. We have a proven track record of successfully negotiating full and timely settlements for their claims.
We will help you and your family get justice after enduring the loss of a loved one by not only fighting to protect your legal rights but advocate to ensure your best interests are protected and represented throughout the entire process. Contact our Jackson wrongful death law firm in Jackson today to schedule a free case evaluation with our team to discuss the legal options available for you.
What types of wrongful death cases does Mama Justice handle in Jackson?
Lost a loved one to someone else’s negligence in Jackson? In Mississippi, families generally have three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim (Miss. Code §15-1-49). A Jackson wrongful death lawyer at Mama Justice can take on the insurance companies, hold the at-fault party accountable, and fight for the support your family needs. Call us 24/7 for a free consultation at 888-805-6010.
At Mama Justice, our team has experience representing bereaved families who have lost loved ones in a variety of accident types. Although no two accidents are alike, we see many similarities in the circumstances leading up to the death of victims.
Some of the most common types of accidents that lead to wrongful death claims include:
- Car Accidents
- Truck Accidents/18-Wheeler Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Drunk Driving Accidents
- Workers’ Comp Accidents
- Rideshare, Uber, Lyft Accidents
- Premises Liability Accidents
- Nursing Home Negligence or Abuse
These and other accidents can often be attributed to some form of negligence. If your loved one has lost their life in an accident, our team can meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss potential legal options available to help you move forward and get justice.
Contact Mama Justice – MW Law Firm online or by phone at (833) 626-2587 today for a free and confidential consultation.
What Defines Wrongful Death in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, entitled parties who have lost loved ones due to the actions of another person are able to take legal action against a negligent party. Claims surrounding the death of a person are referred to as wrongful death suits. These cases are civil lawsuits that are filed after families endure the loss of a loved one. This type of lawsuit seeks to recover compensation for various damages that families face after enduring an unexpected loss. Wrongful death lawsuits are typically filed after a person loses their life due to someone else engaging in reckless, negligent, or malicious actions.
Under Mississippi Code Ann. § 11-7-13, wrongful death is defined as a death that is caused by:
- The breach of a warranty of fitness of any item that is intended for human use or consumption.
- Unsafe ways, machinery, or appliances.
- Any wrongful, negligent, or real act or omission.
Wrongful death claims are commonly attributed to motor vehicle accidents, defective products, and drugs, or any action, or inaction, of a third party that led to the loss of life. It is important to understand the applicable statute of limitations when it comes to pursuing legal actions.
There are two separate time limits that apply to cases surrounding wrongful death that are filed in courts in the state of Mississippi. These include:
- A one-year statute of limitation is applied to any claim that involves a death caused by an intentional act.
- A three-year statute of limitations is applied to any claim where a victim lost their life as a result of another party’s negligence.
By using our experienced and knowledgeable lawyers, you can rest assured knowing your legal rights and best interests are protected after enduring the loss of a loved one. Our Jackson wrongful death lawyers will fight to maximize your recoveries.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, there are various parties who can file wrongful death claims following accidental or intentional death. Entitled parties include:
- The surviving spouse of the decedent.
- The surviving parent or child of the decedent.
- The surviving siblings of the decedent.
- Any person specifically designated to represent the estate of the decedent.
The majority of wrongful death claims that we handle in Jackson are filed by the spouse of the deceased party. If the decedent had any children, the awards for damages are generally split equally between the spouse and any children. If the decedent was single and was not legally married, then a surviving parent or sibling will be able to pursue a wrongful death action against the negligent party.
What compensation can families recover in a Jackson wrongful death case?
When entitled parties pursue legal actions against wrongdoers after enduring the loss of a loved one, they do so to recover compensation for various damages they face. In Mississippi, plaintiffs are able to recover compensation for various economic and non-economic damages they face.
Economic damages are meant to compensate the family of a victim for calculable losses. Some of the most common types of economic damages awarded in wrongful death claims include:
- Lost earnings and other income/benefits
- The loss of inheritance
- Funeral expenses
- Medical costs
- Property damage
- Burial expenses
Additionally, families can recover non-economic damages which are aimed to provide relief to entitled parties for other types of harm they endure that are more difficult to assign a direct dollar value to. Some of the non-economic damages families may recover include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of consortium
In Mississippi, some claimants may be able to recover punitive damages after enduring a loss. These awards are provided in cases where the defendant acted with actual malice, gross negligence which evidences a willful, wanton, or reckless disregard for the safety and wellbeing of others. Other cases involve victims of fraud. After a court determines that compensatory damages are to be awarded to the claimant, the court will then commence an evidentiary hearing to determine whether an award for punitive damages is to be considered.
The type of damages and the amount of compensation that you are able to recover for a wrongful death claim will depend on the circumstances of your loved one’s accident. The best way to determine what type of outcome you can expect from your claim is to speak to a wrongful death lawyer in Jackson as soon as possible.
Wrongful Death Following an Auto Accident
According to the Mississippi Department of Public Transportation, nearly 700 people lose their lives in auto accidents across the state of Mississippi every year. There are various types of auto accidents that can have fatal results. These include:
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Rideshare accidents
Many accidents take place due to the negligence of drivers. Some of the leading causes of crashes in our state include:
Driving while impaired
Nearly 18% of fatal accidents in our state each year involve a driver who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Distracted driving
Nearly one out of every twelve motor vehicle collisions deaths in our state involve a driver who is distracted. Texting while operating a vehicle is 23 times more dangerous than driving while not distracted.
Speeding
Drivers who are speeding are the cause of nearly one out of every three crashes we see in our state. Nearly 15% of all fatal accidents in our state involve a driver who is speeding.
If your loved one lost their life in an accident as a result of a negligent driver, our wrongful death lawyers in Jackson can help you pursue legal action against those at fault.
Wrongful Death Following a Workplace Accident
Every year, more than 60 people lose their lives in accidents while on the job in Mississippi. These accidents can often be attributed to some form of negligence. While slip and fall accidents at the workplace are the leading cause of fatal injuries, we see many other types of accidents take place with severe consequences. Some of the leading causes of fatal workplace accident incidents on the job include:
- In-between accidents
- Falling object accidents
- Defective machinery
- Electrocution injuries
- Accidents stemming from inadequate training
If your loved one has lost their life while on the job, you must take legal action quickly. Waiting can jeopardize your chances of getting justice.
Call us at (833) 626-2587 to discuss your situation during a free consultation. You may also contact us using our free online case evaluation form.
Wrongful Death Following a Premises Liability Accident
Thousands of people lose their lives in accidents while at the homes and businesses of others. There are many instances where property owners fail to ensure their property is safe for guests. Some of the most common contributing factors to fatal premises liability accidents include:
- Slip and fall accidents caused by icy and wet surfaces
- Broken stair rails and staircases leading to fatal falls
- Inadequate security measures leading to fatal assault incidents
- Explosions
- Fires
- Electrocutions
- Drowning incidents
Losing a loved one as a result of a property owner’s negligence can have a life-altering impact on your family. For this reason, it is crucial that you take legal action as soon as possible. Our lawyers at Mama Justice can help you recover full and fair compensation to help cover the damages you endure.
What should you do after a fatal accident in Jackson?
The days after losing someone are a blur, and no checklist can make that easier. When your family is ready, a few steps can protect your right to seek justice:
- Keep any records tied to the accident, such as police reports, medical bills, and photos.
- Hold on to your loved one’s pay stubs or income records, which help show the support your family lost.
- Write down the names and numbers of anyone who saw what happened.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the at-fault party’s insurance company.
- Talk to a Jackson wrongful death lawyer before you sign anything or accept an offer.
You do not have to figure this out alone. Mama Justice can take these steps off your plate so your family can focus on each other.
Jackson Wrongful Death FAQ
How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim in Jackson, Mississippi?
In Mississippi, families usually have three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim (Miss. Code §15-1-49). If the death was caused by an intentional act, like an assault, that window can shrink to one year. Grief makes it hard to think about deadlines, and that is okay. When you are ready, call Mama Justice, and we will keep track of the important dates so your family does not lose the right to seek justice.
Who can file a wrongful death claim in Mississippi?
Mississippi law (Miss. Code §11-7-13) lets certain family members bring a wrongful death claim, usually the surviving spouse, the children, the parents, or the siblings of the person who passed. The personal representative of the estate can also file on behalf of everyone. If more than one family member qualifies, the claim is handled as one case so the family is not divided. We can help you sort out who should file.
What compensation can my family recover in a wrongful death case?
Compensation usually falls into two buckets. Economic damages cover real dollar losses like medical bills before death, funeral and burial costs, and the income and support your loved one would have provided. Non-economic damages cover the harder losses, like the loss of companionship, guidance, and comfort. Mississippi generally caps non-economic damages, so ask us how that may apply to your family. No amount of money brings a person back, but it can protect the people they left behind.
What if my loved one was partly at fault?
Your family may still have a claim. Mississippi follows pure comparative negligence, which means a share of fault lowers the recovery instead of erasing it. So if your loved one was found partly responsible, your family can still recover the rest. Do not let an insurance company talk you out of a claim before you speak with us.
How much does a Jackson wrongful death lawyer cost?
Nothing up front. Mama Justice handles wrongful death cases on a contingency fee, which means there is no fee unless we recover compensation for your family, and the first consultation is always free. You should never have to choose between grieving and getting answers.
How long does a wrongful death case take?
It depends on the facts. Some cases settle in a matter of months, while cases with disputed fault or serious losses can take a year or more. We keep your family updated at every step and never rush a case in a way that shortchanges you.
Is a wrongful death claim the same as a criminal case?
No. A criminal case is brought by the state to punish someone, and it does not pay your family. A wrongful death claim is a civil case your family brings to recover compensation for your loss. The two can happen at the same time, and a criminal case does not have to end before your family files its own claim.
Do I need a lawyer for a wrongful death claim?
You are not required to have one, but insurance companies move quickly to limit what they pay, and wrongful death law in Mississippi has strict rules about who can file and by when. A Jackson wrongful death lawyer protects the evidence, handles the paperwork, and lets your family focus on healing.
Mama Justice Will Fight For You
Losing a loved one is one of the most challenging things any of us will ever have to deal with. If you lost a loved one as a result of another person’s actions, you do not have to move forward alone. At Mama Justice, we are committed to treating every client we work with like they are part of our family.
We are committed to helping our clients achieve their goals and get the justice they deserve. We work to empower bereaved families to take control of their situations at the same time so they are able to hold wrongdoers accountable for their actions. Although there is truly no amount of compensation that can ever replace those taken away so suddenly, our team is committed to pursuing legal action to help our clients get their questions answered.
Our Jackson wrongful death lawyers remain by our client’s side every step of the way and we advocate to make sure their best interests are protected. We understand that the majority of people we work with have never been involved in civil litigation before. For this reason, we help our clients understand what is taking place every step of the way.
We are available to answer questions about your case and what to expect moving forward. The Jackson wrongful death attorneys at Mama Justice provide high-quality representation for families in Jackson and throughout the entire state who have lost loved ones in accidents. We offer free, no-obligation consultations in Jackson or any of our thirteen offices across Mississippi.
Contact our Jackson personal injury lawyers today by calling (833) 626-2587.