Higgins Firm Wins Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Male: Now, Legal Brief with Bree featuring Jim Higgins with answers and advice on legal matters.

(Bree): We often hear wrongful death cases in the news, but here to educate us on more of what that actually means is Attorney Jim Higgins from the Higgins Law Firm. Thank you so much for being with me again here today. Take us through - just briefly tell us, first of all, what is a wrongful death suit exactly and explain that a little bit.

Jim Higgins: Sure. Well, a wrongful death suit in Tennessee or wherever is when somebody dies because of someone’s negligence or a maybe a criminal activity like if they’re hit by drunk driver or if they have a product - a safety product that fails and then it results in their death.

(Bree): OK. And, I know you said it does vary from State to State. You had an unusual case in Tennessee not too long ago, take us through that case a little bit.

Jim Higgins: Sure. Well, our firm was the first law firm that take this issue up to the Court of Appeals. But, we had a case where a young lady with four children died in an accident. And, she had a husband who was not a great husband who had left her for another woman and have been gone for a couple of years.

Well, after she passed, he immediately filed a multimillion dollar lawsuit and settled it. And, we actually came in and represented these children and take it to the Court of Appeals, because there was a new change of law, and we’re able to convince the Court of Appeals. They agreed with us that because this husband had abandoned his wife and these kids that he shouldn’t have to be able to benefit or profit from her death. And, that these kids are really were the ones who needed it. And, the Court of Appeals agreed with us. We had a trial in that case and he have to give all of the money he had taken back to the children.

(Bree): OK. So, you were kind of stepped in or were the advocate there for the children and you said they were disclosing too much and you were able to get that settlement and close for them, is that right?

Jim Higgins: Yes, and so, you know, it’s a horrible thing. They can’t get their mother back, but they needed it.

(Bree): Right.

Jim Higgins: And, so the result was good for the kids.

(Bree): Absolutely. All right, well, if you would like to contact the Higgins Law Firm, you may do so. You can contact them on their website or at the number that you see there on the screen.

Everyday at The Higgins Firm, we receive calls from concerned individuals and family members who were injured or lost a loved one in a car accident. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding a wrongful death resulting from a vehicular collision.

Sadly, when a car accident occurs, the occupants of the vehicle will not always survive. If you have lost a loved one in a car accident, it may be possible to file a wrongful death claim. How is the death of someone calculated in a case? This is a very difficult question and cannot be answered without knowing the details of the case. In fact, no two cases are exactly alike.

A good wrongful death lawyer in Tennessee, such as The Higgins Firm, will need to calculate the amount of medical bill endured following the accident (and prior to the death), the loss of income and future income, benefits the family would have gained had the victim not lost their life, funeral and burial costs, and more. Other factors may include loss of affection, loss of partnership, loss of guidance, and loss of consortium. In general, death insurance payouts are more than personal injury claims. Examples of published wrongful death payouts across the nation include:

• The family of a 17 year old male who died in a two car collision was awarded $215,000
• The family of a 6 year old girl who died in a truck accident was awarded $1 million
• The family of a pedestrian women who died in an accident received $1,150,000 in a lawsuit filed against a large truck company
• A family received $3 million after their 22 year old son died in a motorcycle accident

There are many different kinds of lawyers who focus on various practice areas of the law. If you are considering filing a wrongful death claim in Tennessee, you should diligently review the different wrongful death lawyers in your area. Explore your options, talk with them, and choose one who you believe is suited to your needs. Be sure the lawyer you choose has years of experience and knows how to handle cases of all complexities, such as the case discussed in the video above.

As a Tennessee wrongful death lawyer might explain to you, there are many different types of incidents that can lead to filing a wrongful death claim. Some of the most common ones include distracted driving, careless/reckless driving, product liability, workplace error, malpractice, murder, and more.

If you have questions about a potential wrongful death case, and would like a complimentary case review, please call our leading Tennessee wrongful death lawyers from The Higgins Firm today.