Licensed attorney since 2007. Licensed to practice law in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Washington D.C.
Wrongful Death Lawyers Helping Families Seek Justice in AL & GA
Losing a loved one unexpectedly is heartbreaking—and the legal questions can feel impossible while you’re grieving. If your family member died because of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, Bodewell’s wrongful death lawyers help you pursue accountability and financial stability while treating your family with the compassion and respect you deserve.
We handle the investigation, evidence, and legal process—so you can focus on your family, your healing, and honoring your loved one.
Birmingham Wrongful Death Lawyers Focused on Your Family
Our Birmingham wrongful death lawyers represent families across Alabama and Georgia after fatal crashes, unsafe properties, medical errors, workplace incidents, defective products, and other preventable tragedies. We pursue justice with urgency, care, and trial-ready preparation—because responsible parties and insurers rarely do the right thing without pressure.
What Is Wrongful Death?
Wrongful death generally refers to a death caused by another party’s negligence, recklessness, or misconduct. A wrongful death claim can provide financial recovery and hold the responsible party accountable, while also helping prevent similar harm from happening to others.
Elements of a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
To succeed, a wrongful death case typically requires proof of key elements—often framed around negligence, causation, and damages. The specifics depend on the state and the facts, but your case is strongest when the evidence clearly shows who caused the fatal harm and why.
1) Negligence
Negligence involves failing to use reasonable care under the circumstances. Common examples include distracted driving, unsafe business practices, ignoring known hazards, or violating safety rules.
2) Breach of duty
We show the at-fault party failed to meet the standard of care—such as a driver breaking traffic laws, a company skipping safety steps, or a professional failing to follow required procedures.
3) Causation
The evidence must connect the wrongful conduct to the death. This can involve medical records, crash reconstruction, expert testimony, and witness statements.
4) Damages
Wrongful death cases address the losses caused by the death. The recoverable damages vary by state and case type.
What Compensation May Be Available
Depending on the facts and the state where the case is filed, compensation may include:
- Medical expenses related to the final injury or illness
- Funeral and burial costs
- Lost income and benefits the person would have provided
- Pain and suffering and emotional distress in appropriate cases
- Loss of companionship, care, or guidance (including for minor children)
- Other economic and non-economic losses recognized by law
Note on Alabama: Alabama wrongful death law has unique rules, including a strong focus on punitive damages designed to punish wrongdoing. The structure of recovery can differ from other states, so it’s important to speak with a lawyer about how Alabama law applies to your family’s situation.
What Constitutes Wrongful Death in Birmingham?
Wrongful death can arise from many types of fatal incidents, including:
- Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian or bicycle collisions
- Workplace fatalities and construction incidents
- Medical malpractice or nursing home neglect
- Dangerous products or equipment failures
- Slip and fall or premises liability incidents
Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Claim?
Wrongful death claims are governed by strict legal rules. In many cases, the claim must be filed by the personal representative of the estate, not just any family member. We can help your family understand who has authority to act and what steps are required to move forward.
Proving Wrongful Death Claims with Evidence
Because your loved one cannot testify, strong evidence is essential. We identify and preserve proof quickly before it disappears.
| Common Evidence | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Police reports and crash data | Establishes timeline, fault indicators, and witnesses |
| Medical records and autopsy findings | Connects injuries and cause of death to the incident |
| Photos, video, surveillance | Documents hazards, impact, and conditions in real time |
| Business records and logs | Shows safety failures, maintenance gaps, or policy violations |
| Expert testimony | Explains causation, standard of care, and damages |
Deadlines Matter in Wrongful Death Cases
Time limits apply, and missing them can permanently bar a claim. Many claims must be filed within two years; some notices are shorter—call to confirm your exact deadline. This is especially important if any government entity or public roadway issue may be involved.
Why Choose Bodewell Wrongful Death Attorneys
- Compassionate guidance during an extremely difficult time
- Fast, thorough investigations and evidence preservation
- Trial-ready preparation to maximize settlement leverage
- Clear communication so your family is never left guessing
Meet the advocates who may handle your case: Meet Our Team or contact Bodewell for a free, confidential consultation.
General information only; not legal advice. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can you recover in a wrongful death claim?
The damages that you may be entitled to recover in a wrongful death claim will depend on the unique facts and circumstances of your wrongful death case.
Generally, you may be able to recover damages for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical bills
- Loss of earnings and benefits
- Loss of companionship
- Pain and suffering
What is the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim in Birmingham, Alabama?
A wrongful death suit generally must be filed within two years of your loved one’s passing.
However, the statute of limitations differs case by case, so it is best to speak with a Birmingham wrongful death attorney about your filing deadline as soon as possible.
It takes time to investigate a potential wrongful death claim, and waiting months or over a year to speak with an attorney could cause issues for you and your family.
Waiting too long could also lead to important evidence being lost and people’s memories of the event deteriorating.
How much does it cost to hire a Birmingham wrongful death lawyer?
At our firm, we work on a contingency fee basis.
This means that you will not owe us any attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for your claim.
The amount of our fee will be a percentage of the total settlement or verdict that we recover for you.