Did someone's negligence cost you the life of a family member you can never replace? Nebraska law allows surviving relatives to file a wrongful death lawsuit when negligence or misconduct results in a death. The Seward wrongful death attorneys at Steffens Law Offices can help you seek compensation for what the accident took from you. Call today for a free consultation with our injury lawyer in Seward.
What Seward Families Can Expect From Steffens Law Offices
A wrongful death case is deeply personal. Your personal injury lawyer should treat it as such, both in the client service they provide and the answers and accountability they pursue for your family.
Steffens Law Offices has handled wrongful death cases extensively throughout Nebraska. Clients choose us because:
- A lead attorney at Steffens Law provides clients with his direct cell phone number for assistance anytime, day or night
- We’ve recovered tens of millions for families in Nebraska
- We commit to a fee structure ensuring your family receives a larger share of the final settlement than the firm
- We negotiate outstanding hospital and medical liens to maximize the funds retained by your family
- Steffens Law Offices has earned more than 1,000 five-star reviews across our six office locations
Contact us today to speak directly with an attorney.
Do You Need an Attorney for a Wrongful Death Claim in Seward?
Wrongful death cases seek compensation for the value of a life. That requires attorneys with relationships with top financial experts and a skill set to push back on insurers that try to undervalue your claim.
Your attorney will protect your family's interests by:
- Navigating the local court proceedings, starting with opening the estate and securing official approval for any proposed settlement.
- Gathering and safeguarding critical proof, such as commercial records, black box data, and video footage.
- Protecting your claim against defense attempts to assign fault to your loved one under Nebraska's comparative negligence rules.
- Collaborating with medical professionals and accident reconstruction experts to build a clear picture of liability.
- Taking the case to trial and presenting your story before a jury if out-of-court negotiations stall.
- Analyzing all relevant insurance policies to ensure no source of financial recovery is overlooked.
Connect with us today to learn more about how we can help you seek full compensation.
Who Has the Right to Bring a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Under Nebraska law, only the appointed personal representative of the estate may file a lawsuit. According to § 30-810, this claim is brought on behalf of the surviving spouse and next of kin, with proceeds distributed based on individual financial losses.
A personal representative can bring such a claim if the individual died in an accident for which they would have had grounds for a personal injury lawsuit had they survived.
These claims typically arise from:
- Highway vehicle collisions
- Commercial truck accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Bicycle accidents
- Hazardous property conditions
- Defective consumer products
- Rural road collisions
An experienced attorney can help you determine whether you have a possible claim.
How Comparative Fault Affects a Wrongful Death Claim
Insurers often try to blame the person who died. But Nebraska follows modified comparative negligence under § 25-21,185.09. If your loved one shared some fault for the accident, your family's recovery could be reduced by their percentage of blame. If they were equal or more at fault than the defendants, your family cannot recover anything.
Our attorneys gather the evidence needed to push back on blame-shifting that’s not grounded in the facts.
Talk to a Seward Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
You deserve advocates who will stand by your side and fight for you after your loss. That’s what we do for Nebraskans, and we’re here to stand up for your family. Call Steffens Law Group today to schedule a free consultation to learn more.