Wrongful Death Attorneys

30,932 verified wrongful death attorneys across the United States. Representation for families who lost a loved one due to negligence or wrongful act. Compare verified wrongful death attorneys nationwide by experience, peer ratings, and client reviews — get matched with counsel in any state, free for clients.

30,932 Wrongful Death attorneys found

Atty. Humberto Tijerina III
Atty. Humberto Tijerina III
McAllen 26 yrs exp 5.0

My name is Humberto Tijerina, and before we go any further, I want to personally thank you for viewing my website. Most likely you have fallen victim ...

Car Accident Claims Injuries from Car Crashes Personal Injury 18 Wheeler Accidents Car Accident Back Injuries +9
Atty. Michael Shemtoub
Atty. Michael Shemtoub
Los Angeles 19 yrs exp 5.0

Michael Shemtoub is a lawyer practicing auto accidents, personal injury, wrongful death and 2 other areas of law. Michael received a B.A. degree from ...

Auto Accidents Personal Injury Wrongful Death Motorcycle Accidents Trucking Accidents
Atty. John B. Shook
Atty. John B. Shook
Las Vegas 32 yrs exp 5.0

For more than 20 years, John B. Shook has gone to battle for injured children and adults.

Airplane Crash Litigation Medical Malpractice Workers Compensation Automobile Accidents And Injuries Dog Bites +5
Atty. Philip L. Arnel
Atty. Philip L. Arnel
Westwood 32 yrs exp 5.0

Philip L. Arnel practices at Law Office of Philip L.

Automobile Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Personal Injury Child Custody Child Support +20
Atty. Jesus Gonzalez
Atty. Jesus Gonzalez
McAllen 25 yrs exp 5.0

Mr. Jesus Gonzalez is a lawyer practicing personal injury, oil field explosions, wrongful death cases and 22 other areas of law.

Oil Field Explosions Personal Injury Wrongful Death Cases Accidents Automobile Accidents +20
Atty. Scott L. Anderson
Atty. Scott L. Anderson
Brooklyn Park 40 yrs exp 5.0

Scott L. Anderson graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1982.

Criminal Defense Criminal Law DUI/DWI 1st Degree DUI 2nd Degree DUI +122
Atty. Michael Maz Raheb
Atty. Michael Maz Raheb
Fort Myers 28 yrs exp 5.0

Michael M. Raheb has years of experience as a litigator and a track record of successful verdicts and case results.

Automobile Accidents Criminal Personal Injury Divorce Family Law +3
Atty. Jason B. Goldman
Atty. Jason B. Goldman
Port Charlotte 31 yrs exp 5.0

Adjunct Professor, Criminal Law, Edison Community College, Fort Myers, Florida, 1998—. Hearing Officer, Charlotte County School Board, 2000—.

Automobile Accidents And Injuries Motorcycle Accidents Personal Injury Criminal Law DUI/DWI +3
Atty. Arsen Sarapinian, Esq.
Atty. Arsen Sarapinian, Esq.
Beverly Hills 12 yrs exp 5.0

Arsen founded the Law Offices of Arsen Sarapinian, P.C. after years of litigating cases throughout Southern and Northern California while working with...

Automobile Accidents Personal Injury Wrongful Death Airbag Injury Animal Attacks +22
Atty. George Leroy Powell
Atty. George Leroy Powell
Houston 24 yrs exp 5.0

Mr. George Leroy Powell is a lawyer practicing criminal law, dui/dwi, sex crimes and 109 other areas of law.

Criminal Law DUI/DWI Sex Crimes Accidents AIDS Litigation +107
Atty. Sandy Van
Atty. Sandy Van
Las Vegas 19 yrs exp 5.0

Sandy Van practices at Van Law Firm Injury and Accident Attorneys Read Full Bio

Car Accidents Slip And Fall Accident Wrongful Death Airbag Injury Automobile Accidents +21
Atty. Evan Kyle Guthrie
Atty. Evan Kyle Guthrie
Charleston 16 yrs exp 5.0

Mr. Evan Kyle Guthrie is a lawyer practicing marriage & prenuptials, trusts, power of attorney and 20 other areas of law.

Marriage & Prenuptials Power of Attorney Trusts Business Car Accidents +18
Atty. Sam Tabibian
Atty. Sam Tabibian
Los Angeles 22 yrs exp 5.0

Sam Tabibian practices at Century Park Law Group Read Full Bio

Car Accidents Personal Injury Slip And Fall Accident Animal & Dog Bites Brain Injury +4
Atty. Justin Bice
Atty. Justin Bice
Fort Mill 18 yrs exp 5.0

Originally from rural South Dakota, Justin Bice spent eight years in the United States Army working in the Military Intelligence Detachment of the 3rd...

Automobile Accidents Dog Bites Personal Injury Civil Litigation Construction Accidents +13
Atty. Marion Moise Moses
Atty. Marion Moise Moses
Columbia 25 yrs exp 5.0

Law Clerk to the Honorable Thomas W. Cooper, Jr., Circuit Judge, 3rd Judicial Circuit, 2001-2002.

Criminal Defense both State and Federal Drugs (Possession, Distribution, Trafficking) DUI Defense Arson Assault And Battery +31
Atty. Kyle J. Bristow, Esq.
Atty. Kyle J. Bristow, Esq.
St. Clair 14 yrs exp 5.0

Legal matters can be emotionally difficult unless one has an aggressive, intelligent, and vigilant lawyer who understands the legal system and who can...

Divorce Family Law Family Law/Domestic Relations Annulment Appellate Practice +74
Atty. Michael Mehrdad Garagozlo
Atty. Michael Mehrdad Garagozlo
Rockville 36 yrs exp 5.0

Michael Mehrdad Garagozlo is a lawyer practicing personal injury, products liability, medical malpractice and 6 other areas of law. Michael received a...

Medical Malpractice Personal Injury Products Liability Car Accidents Criminal +4
Atty. J. Todd Tenge
Atty. J. Todd Tenge
Boulder 35 yrs exp 5.0

J. Todd Tenge has been practicing personal injury law for over 25 years.

Automobile Accidents Bicycle And Pedestrian Accidents Motorcycle Accidents ATV Accidents Construction Accidents +8
Atty. Ryan L. Thompson
Atty. Ryan L. Thompson
Dallas 22 yrs exp 5.0

Ryan L. Thompson is the managing partner of Thompson Law Injury Lawyers.

Personal Injury Products Liability Wrongful Death Airplane Crash Litigation Automobile Accidents +15
Atty. Jerry Robert Knafo
Atty. Jerry Robert Knafo
Allentown 44 yrs exp 5.0

Jerry Knafo is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Villanova University where he ranked third in his Business Administration major. He obtained his law degr...

Car Accidents Personal Injury Slip And Falls Amputation Back Injuries +26
Atty. Scott Andrew Ferris
Atty. Scott Andrew Ferris
Coral Gables 39 yrs exp 5.0

Mr. Scott Andrew Ferris is a lawyer practicing personal injury, criminal law, family and divorce and 3 other areas of law.

Criminal Law Family and Divorce Personal Injury Contested Divorce and Domestic Relations Criminal Defense +1
Atty. J. Craig Swapp
Atty. J. Craig Swapp
Sandy 35 yrs exp 5.0

Craig Swapp has committed his career to helping people who have been injured or killed because of someone else’s wrongdoing or negligence. As a Person...

Automobile Accidents Aviation And Aerospace Bankruptcy Bicycle Accidents Brain Injury +14
Atty. Bobby B. Saadian, Esq.
Atty. Bobby B. Saadian, Esq.
Los Angeles 19 yrs exp 5.0

Bobby Saadian, Esq., a renowned attorney and nationally recognized law firm business operator, is the Founder of Wilshire Law Firm, one of California'...

Accidents Animal Attacks Personal Injury Automobile Accidents Automobile Negligence +26
Atty. Deborah M. Field
Atty. Deborah M. Field
Rochester 31 yrs exp 5.0

Morris & Morris Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers and U.S. News and World Report "Best Law Firms" for 8 consecutive years.

Accidents Automobile Accidents Personal Injury Bicycle Accidents Boating Accidents +9
Atty. Jack J Fine
Atty. Jack J Fine
Gainesville 50 yrs exp 5.0

Mr. Fine was born in New York, New York and was raised in the northeast, where he studied sociology at Colby College in Waterville, Maine.

Civil Litigation Negligence Personal Injury Accidents Animal Attacks +36
Atty. Hebern W. Sanderson, Jr.
Atty. Hebern W. Sanderson, Jr.
Clinton 34 yrs exp 5.0

Hebern W. Sanderson, Jr. is a lawyer practicing personal injury, workers compensation, social security disability and 3 other areas of law.

Personal Injury Social Security Disability Workers Compensation Estates And Estate Planning Real Estate +1
Atty. Charles Sanders
Atty. Charles Sanders
Houston 7 yrs exp 5.0

Charles Sanders is a lawyer practicing personal injury, wrongful death, slip and fall and 7 other areas of law. Charles has been licensed for 7 years.

Personal Injury Slip and Fall Wrongful Death Automobile Accidents Boating Accidents +5
Atty. Jerome W Perry
Atty. Jerome W Perry
Rochester 56 yrs exp 5.0

Atty. Jerome W Perry is a lawyer practicing personal injury, products liability, wrongful death and 30 other areas of law.

Personal Injury Products Liability Wrongful Death Automobile Accidents Bankruptcy & Debt +28
Atty. C. Sei-Hee Arii
Atty. C. Sei-Hee Arii
Rockville 27 yrs exp 5.0

I was born in Busan, a large port city in South Korea, in a working class neighborhood. Busan was one of only two cities in Korea not captured by the ...

Criminal Defense Drunk Driving DUI/DWI Alcohol Citation Involving Minors Assault And Battery +21
Atty. Kenneth Ray Bernard, Jr.
Atty. Kenneth Ray Bernard, Jr.
Douglasville 37 yrs exp 5.0

Mr. Kenneth Ray Bernard, Jr. is a lawyer practicing wrongful death, personal injury, government and 3 other areas of law.

Government Personal Injury Wrongful Death Car / Auto Accidents Insurance +1
Atty. Tricia Ann Spivey
Atty. Tricia Ann Spivey
Fort Myers 32 yrs exp 5.0

Tricia A. Spivey is a Partner with Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. and practices exclusively personal injury and wrongful death law.

Car Accidents Personal Injury Wrongful Death Accidental Injury
Atty. Jonathan Wesley Johnson
Atty. Jonathan Wesley Johnson
Atlanta 34 yrs exp 5.0

Mr. Jonathan Wesley Johnson is a lawyer practicing personal injury, products liability, airplane crash litigation and 11 other areas of law.

Airplane Crash Litigation Personal Injury Products Liability Automobile Accidents Business Law +9
Atty. Marion Thomas Pope III
Atty. Marion Thomas Pope III
Canton 28 yrs exp 5.0

Tom Pope III graduated from The University of Georgia in 1990 and received his law degree from Mercer University in 1998. Before beginning his legal c...

Automobile Accidents Trucking Accidents Wrongful Death Personal Injury Workers Compensation
Atty. William Melton
Atty. William Melton
Salt Lake City 6 yrs exp 5.0

William Melton is a lawyer practicing criminal law, dui/dwi, misdemeanors and 21 other areas of law. William has been licensed for 6 years.

Criminal Law DUI/DWI Misdemeanors Assault Automobile Accidents +19
Atty. Baskin Lowber Jones
Atty. Baskin Lowber Jones
Jackson 16 yrs exp 5.0

I am an attorney who represents hurt people. Whether it is an injury on the roadways (18-wheeler, car wreck, motorcycle) or in the workplace.

Personal Injury Product Liability Slip and Fall Automobile Accidents Bicycle Accident +22
Atty. Jason Jonathan Liss
Atty. Jason Jonathan Liss
Farmington Hills 33 yrs exp 5.0

Jason Jonathan Liss is a lawyer practicing personal injury, fire and explosion, insurance litigation and 5 other areas of law. Jason received a B.A. d...

Fire and Explosion Insurance Litigation Personal Injury Coverage Issues General Practice +3
Atty. Marc Evan Reisman
Atty. Marc Evan Reisman
Memphis 37 yrs exp 5.0

Marc Evan Reisman is a lawyer practicing appellate practice, civil rights, family law and 8 other areas of law. Marc received a B.S. degree from Unive...

Appellate Practice Civil Rights Family Law Motor Vehicle Accidents Personal Injury +6
Atty. Marc A. Wites
Atty. Marc A. Wites
Lighthouse Point 32 yrs exp 5.0

Marc A. Wites is a founding shareholder of Wites & Rogers Attorneys at Law and brings 28 years of trial and litigation experience to his practice.

Class Actions Insurance Personal Injury/Wrongful Death Automobile Accidents Investment Loss +2
Atty. Bill Bone
Atty. Bill Bone
West Palm Beach 42 yrs exp 5.0

Bill Bone has dedicated his law practice, and a lot of his spare time, to helping people. From his service work in college as a member of the exclusiv...

Automobile Accidents Bike Law Dog Bites Medical Malpractice Personal Injury +3
Atty. Ryan Scott Perlin
Atty. Ryan Scott Perlin
Hunt Valley 21 yrs exp 5.0

Ryan Scott Perlin is a lawyer practicing medical malpractice, birth trauma, cosmetic surgery malpractice and 17 other areas of law. Ryan received a B....

Birth Trauma Cosmetic Surgery Malpractice Medical Malpractice Failure to Diagnose Gynecology Malpractice +15
Atty. Bill Bone
Atty. Bill Bone
West Palm Beach 42 yrs exp 5.0

Bill Bone has dedicated his law practice and much of his spare time to helping people in need. From his service work in college as a member of the exc...

All Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Matters Bicycle Accidents Including Accidents Automobile Accidents Collisions +4
Atty. Araly Herrera
Atty. Araly Herrera
Coral Gables 29 yrs exp 5.0

Araly Herrera is a lawyer practicing medical malpractice, personal injury, wrongful death and 1 other area of law. Araly received a B.B.A. degree from...

Medical Malpractice Personal Injury Wrongful Death Litigation
Atty. Jonathan Stephen Burns
Atty. Jonathan Stephen Burns
Fort Lauderdale 20 yrs exp 5.0

Jonathan Stephen Burns is a lawyer practicing general liability, products liability, personal injury and 8 other areas of law. Jonathan Stephen receiv...

General Liability Personal Injury Products Liability Brain & Spinal Cord Injuries Dog Bite Injuries +6
Atty. Andrew Burton Pickett
Atty. Andrew Burton Pickett
Melbourne 17 yrs exp 5.0

Andrew Burton Pickett is a lawyer practicing advocacy, civil trial, litigation and 7 other areas of law. Andrew received a degree from University of V...

Advocacy Civil Trial Litigation Brain Injury Car Accidents +5
Atty. Jonathan Stephen Burns
Atty. Jonathan Stephen Burns
Boca Raton 20 yrs exp 5.0

Mr. Jonathan Stephen Burns is a lawyer practicing general liability, products liability, personal injury and 9 other areas of law.

General Liability Personal Injury Products Liability Brain & Spinal Cord Injuries Dog Bite Injuries +7
Atty. John David Hadden
Atty. John David Hadden
Atlanta 22 yrs exp 5.0

Mr. John David Hadden is a lawyer practicing personal injury, car accidents, motorcycle accidents and 10 other areas of law.

Car Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Personal Injury Animal Injuries Appeals +8
Atty. Curry Gary Pajcic
Atty. Curry Gary Pajcic
Jacksonville 32 yrs exp 5.0

Recipient: Ann Q. Lynch Award, University of Florida, 1998, for Dedication and Achievement Benefiting

Personal Injury Torts Wrongful Death Premises Liability Products Liability
Atty. Andrew William Abel
Atty. Andrew William Abel
Fort Myers 14 yrs exp 5.0

Andrew Abel is an AV Preeminent Rated trial attorney at The Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. His entire practice is devoted to assisti...

Personal Injury Wrongful Death
Atty. Timothy William Combs
Atty. Timothy William Combs
Riverside 20 yrs exp 5.0

Timothy William Combs practices at Law Offices of Timothy Combs Read Full Bio

Automobile Accidents Bankruptcy Personal Injury Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 +5
Atty. David Scott Farber
Atty. David Scott Farber
Coral Gables 26 yrs exp 5.0

David Scott Farber is a lawyer practicing personal injury, insurance coverage claims and disputes, intellectual property and 10 other areas of law. Da...

Insurance Coverage Claims and Disputes Intellectual Property Personal Injury Banking Law Business Disputes +8
Atty. James O. Cunningham
Atty. James O. Cunningham
Orlando 49 yrs exp 5.0

Listed: Leading Plaintiff Lawyers in America, Law Dragon 3000 (2012); Florida Super Lawyers, 2016; Florida Trend's Florida Legal Elite, 2010. Member, ...

Automobile Accidents Civil Litigation Trial Practice Accidents Animal Attacks +48
Atty. Dmitry Gorin
Atty. Dmitry Gorin
Los Angeles 31 yrs exp 5.0

Dmitry Gorin is Of Counsel at Injury Justice Law Firm and a seasoned trial lawyer. During his decade as the Senior Deputy District Attorney in Los Ang...

Automobile Accidents Bicycle Accidents Personal Injury Accidents Bodily Injury +20
Atty. Christy Thompson
Atty. Christy Thompson
Chandler 26 yrs exp 5.0

Christy Thompson is a lawyer practicing phoenix auto accident, nursing home abuse, wrongful death and 7 other areas of law. Christy has been licensed ...

Nursing Home Abuse Phoenix Auto Accident Wrongful Death Car Accidents Miscarriage +5
Atty. Nick M. Bajalia Sr., Esq.
Atty. Nick M. Bajalia Sr., Esq.
Valdosta 47 yrs exp 5.0

Nick M. Bajalia, Sr. is a native of Valdosta, Georgia.

Medical Malpractice Personal Injury Wrongful Death Automobile, Motorcycle and Boating Collisions Business Disputes and Commercial Litigation +6
Atty. Blaine Morgan Brown
Atty. Blaine Morgan Brown
San Juan Capistrano 7 yrs exp 5.0

Blaine Morgan Brown is a lawyer practicing litigation, trusts and estates, personal injury and 4 other areas of law. Blaine received a degree from Wes...

Litigation Personal Injury Trusts and Estates Automobile Accidents Estate Planning +2
Atty. Rocky McElhaney Esquire
Atty. Rocky McElhaney Esquire
Nashville 27 yrs exp 5.0

Rocky learned many of the life lessons he now uses to help his clients while growing up near Buffalo Trail, in Morristown Tennessee, a small town abou...

Automobile Accidents Workers Compensation Wrongful Death Airplane Crash Litigation Brain Injury +21
Atty. Matthew Howard Bligh
Atty. Matthew Howard Bligh
Holtsville 22 yrs exp 5.0

Matthew H. Bligh graduated from Brooklyn Law School, cum laude and the United States Merchant Marine Academy, magna cum laude.

Drunk Driving Accidents Motor Vehicle Accidents Personal Injury Cases Animal Attacks/Dog Bites Aviation Accidents +42
Atty. Peter Wesley Hansen
Atty. Peter Wesley Hansen
Burlington 43 yrs exp 5.0

Peter Wesley Hansen is a lawyer practicing car accidents, dui & dwi, chapter 7 bankruptcy and 21 other areas of law. Peter received a B.A. degree from...

Car Accidents Chapter 7 Bankruptcy DUI/DWI Accidents Animal & Dog Bites +19
Atty. Robert F. Goings
Atty. Robert F. Goings
Columbia 20 yrs exp 5.0

Over two decades of practicing law, Robert F. Goings has earned a reputation as one of the leading trial lawyers in South Carolina, known for taking o...

Automobile Accidents Personal Injury Workers Compensation Accidents Appellate Practice +59
Atty. Loren L. Gold
Atty. Loren L. Gold
Plantation 37 yrs exp 5.0

I was born in Chicago and have been a South Florida resident since the age of 4. I fondly recall many weekends spent with my Dad, fishing the clear wa...

Medical Malpractice Personal Injury Wrongful Death Automobile Accidents Birth Injuries +15

What is Wrongful Death?

Wrongful Death is the branch of law that governs the rights, obligations, and disputes that arise within its subject matter. In the United States, wrongful death sits at the intersection of statutes enacted by Congress, the regulations issued by federal agencies, the laws passed by all fifty state legislatures, and the body of judge-made decisions known as the common law. Because every state writes its own version of the rules, the way wrongful death works in one jurisdiction can look noticeably different from how it works in another, and that is one of the main reasons attorneys in this area focus their practice geographically — to stay fluent in the local statutes, court rules, and judicial preferences that shape outcomes.

At a practical level, Wrongful Death attorneys spend their time on three categories of work. The first is advice and prevention: counselling clients on how to structure transactions, draft documents, and conduct business so that legal risk is minimised before a dispute ever begins. The second is transactional execution: producing the contracts, filings, notices, and registrations that the law actually requires to make a decision legally binding. The third is contested representation: defending or pursuing a client's interests when a dispute escalates to negotiation, regulatory enforcement, arbitration, or litigation in court.

The clients who hire Wrongful Death lawyers range from individuals navigating a single life event to multinational corporations with complex regulatory exposure. What unifies them is the need for an experienced lawyer who knows the relevant code sections, has appeared in the relevant courts, and can translate the strategic options into language a client can act on. AttorneyQnA currently lists 30,932 verified wrongful death attorneys across the United States, each with a public profile showing their bar admissions, years in practice, and the kinds of matters they have handled — with the deepest concentration of practitioners in Florida.

When do you need a Wrongful Death attorney?

Most people contact a wrongful death lawyer for one of two reasons: something is about to happen that they want done correctly the first time, or something has gone wrong and they need it fixed before it gets worse. The earlier you involve counsel, the more options you usually have, and the lower the cost of getting to a resolution tends to be. The scenarios below are the ones we see most often on AttorneyQnA from prospective clients searching for wrongful death representation.

You are about to sign a binding document

Once your signature is on a contract, settlement, lease, or release, your bargaining leverage drops sharply. A short pre-signature review by a wrongful death lawyer is the cheapest insurance you can buy.

You received a letter, demand, or notice

Cease-and-desist letters, regulatory notices, and demand letters all start clocks. Missing the response window can convert a manageable problem into a default judgment or formal enforcement action.

Your matter has a deadline you can name

Statutes of limitations, filing windows, and appeal periods are jurisdictional — courts cannot extend them as a favour. If you can identify a date that matters, you need a lawyer before that date arrives.

The other side has hired counsel

The moment opposing counsel appears, the conversation moves out of normal English and into procedural language. Continuing unrepresented usually means losing ground you cannot recover later.

You are weighing strategic options

Forming an entity, choosing a venue, structuring a deal, or selecting a remedy each has long-term consequences. A consultation at the planning stage is far cheaper than redoing it after the fact.

Your situation crosses state lines

Multi-state matters bring conflict-of-laws questions that change which statutes apply and which court has authority. An attorney licensed in the right jurisdiction is not optional.

If any of the situations above describes where you are right now, the next step is a focused consultation. Use the Ask a Lawyer tool for short written questions, or browse the 30,932 wrongful death attorneys listed above to book a paid consultation directly.

How to choose a Wrongful Death attorney

The single biggest factor in choosing a wrongful death lawyer is fit with your specific matter. A lawyer with twenty years of wrongful death experience but no exposure to your particular sub-issue can easily be a worse choice than a five-year associate who has handled the same problem repeatedly. We recommend running every prospective lawyer through the same five-step checklist before signing an engagement letter.

  1. Bar admission in the correct jurisdiction. Confirm the lawyer is admitted in the state — and where relevant, the federal district — where your matter sits. The lawyer's profile on AttorneyQnA shows every bar admission on file, and the underlying state bar's "lawyer lookup" tool will confirm active standing in under a minute.
  2. Direct experience with your fact pattern. Ask plainly: "How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years, and how did they resolve?" An honest answer reveals more than years-in-practice alone.
  3. A written fee agreement. Whether hourly, flat fee, contingent, or hybrid, the engagement letter should specify what is included, what triggers additional charges, and how disputes are handled. Avoid lawyers who resist writing the terms down.
  4. Communication cadence. Decide upfront how often you expect updates, who your day-to-day contact will be, and what response time is reasonable. The number-one complaint filed with state bar grievance committees is not malpractice — it is non-communication.
  5. Conflict check + reputation pulse. Make sure the lawyer has run a formal conflict check, then spend ten minutes reading independent reviews and any public disciplinary history. The state bar's website is authoritative for the second; the lawyer's AttorneyQnA profile collects the first.

Once you have a shortlist, schedule consultations with two or three. Lawyers vary widely in temperament, and the right strategic match for your case is sometimes the second or third lawyer you meet — not the first.

How much does a Wrongful Death lawyer cost?

Legal fees in the United States are not regulated by a uniform schedule, so what you pay a wrongful death lawyer depends on the billing model the lawyer offers, the complexity of your matter, and the local market. There are four billing structures used in this practice area; most engagements use one, but hybrid arrangements are increasingly common.

1. Hourly billing

The default model for most non-contingent matters. Rates for wrongful death attorneys in the U.S. typically range from $150–$250/hour in smaller markets to $400–$700/hour in major metropolitan areas, with senior partners at large firms commanding $900/hour and above. Hourly billing is fairest when the scope of work is genuinely unpredictable, but it creates an incentive structure that the client has to monitor.

2. Flat fee

Increasingly used for well-defined transactions — incorporations, will drafting, single-issue filings, uncontested matters. A flat fee tells you exactly what the deliverable will cost, and the lawyer absorbs the risk of unexpected complexity. Ask whether the flat fee includes filing fees, third-party costs, and any post-filing follow-up.

3. Contingency

Where it is permitted by the rules of professional conduct — most often in plaintiff-side wrongful death work involving monetary recovery — the lawyer is paid a percentage of the proceeds, typically 33% before suit is filed and 40% after. The client pays nothing if there is no recovery. Contingency fees align the lawyer's economics with yours, but the percentage compounds across time, so very strong cases sometimes do better on hourly billing.

4. Retainer / subscription

A monthly fee that buys a defined block of access or hours. This is common for businesses with ongoing wrongful death needs — contract review, employee questions, regulatory check-ins. A subscription smooths out spending and gives the lawyer a reason to know your operation in depth.

Whichever model you choose, ask for an itemised written estimate before the engagement begins, and ask explicitly what is not covered. Surprise expenses are the most common source of attorney-client friction.

Frequently asked questions about wrongful death

How quickly can a wrongful death lawyer review my matter?

Most lawyers can schedule an initial consultation within 1–3 business days. Urgent matters — pending deadlines, time-sensitive notices, court-ordered hearings — should be flagged in your first message; many lawyers reserve emergency consultation slots for that reason. If you need a written answer faster, the Ask a Lawyer tool typically returns answers in under 24 hours.

Do I need a wrongful death lawyer in my exact city, or anywhere in my state?

Bar admission is the controlling rule: any attorney licensed in your state can represent you in that state's courts and agencies, regardless of which city they're based in. Practical proximity still matters for in-person meetings, local court familiarity, and access to the local bench and bar. For state-level filings and remote-friendly matters, an attorney elsewhere in the same state often works fine.

Will an initial consultation cost me anything?

Many wrongful death attorneys offer a free 15- to 30-minute initial consultation; others charge a flat consultation fee that may be credited against the engagement if you hire them. The lawyer's profile lists the consultation policy. Free does not always mean better — a fee-based consultation is sometimes the sign of a lawyer who treats their time, and yours, seriously.

What documents should I bring to the first meeting?

Bring every contract, notice, letter, filing, or written communication connected to the matter; a written timeline of events with dates; the names and contact details of every other party involved; and any deadlines or hearing dates you are already aware of. Even an incomplete file is more useful than a verbal summary alone.

Can I change lawyers if I am not happy with mine?

Yes. Clients can discharge their lawyer at any time, for any reason, by written notice. Your case file belongs to you and must be transferred to your new counsel. Any unpaid fees through the date of discharge remain owed; any unearned advance must be refunded. If you are mid-litigation, the court typically must approve the substitution, but approval is routine.

How long does a typical wrongful death matter take?

It depends almost entirely on whether the matter is transactional or contested. A transactional matter — a contract, a filing, a single-step transaction — can resolve in days to weeks. A contested matter — anything involving disputed facts, court intervention, or regulatory action — typically takes months at minimum, and complex cases can run multiple years. Your lawyer should give you a realistic outside estimate at intake.

Are wrongful death lawyer fees tax-deductible?

It depends on the nature of the matter and current tax law. Fees connected to producing or collecting taxable income, managing investment property, or operating a business are often deductible; fees for personal matters generally are not. Because rules change, confirm deductibility with a tax professional for the year in which the fees are paid.

What is the difference between wrongful death and the related practice areas?

Wrongful Death overlaps with several adjacent areas — see the related-practice-area grid below for direct links. Choosing the right lawyer often means picking the one whose primary focus matches the heart of your problem, even if multiple labels could technically apply. When you are unsure, list your situation in your own words to two lawyers from neighbouring areas and ask which one of them is the better fit; honest lawyers will tell you.

Find wrongful death attorneys by state

Each state link below opens the wrongful death roster for that jurisdiction, with the local statute of limitations, court-system overview, and verified attorneys.

Wrongful Death Law Firms

Main Law Firm Logo

Main Law Firm

Winter Park

Walton Law Firm Logo

Walton Law Firm

San Marcos

Bruner Law Firm Logo

Bruner Law Firm

Fort Walton Beach

J&Y Law Firm Logo

J&Y Law Firm

Los Angeles

West Law Firm Logo

West Law Firm

Charleston