Proven. Thoughtful. Committed.

Compensation And Closure For Families Of Fatal Accident Victims

Atwood Law, has extensive experience in wrongful death cases, involving both children and adults. We guarantee that our compassion and advocacy will be unmatched during these most challenging times. Indeed, for our clients who have lost a loved one, our goal is to allow each individual client to take the time to grieve and spend time where it needs to be spent while we focus on the client’s financial future going forward without that loved one.

Did you lose a loved one due to another party’s negligence? Call our Omaha or Lincoln offices at 402-817-2717 or toll-free at 800-655-9606 to schedule a free case evaluation. We assist families throughout Nebraska and Iowa.

Wrongful Death Damages Due To Negligence Of Another

If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to recover:

Burial expenses
Medical bills sustained before the loved one’s death
Lost earnings and financial support the loved one would have contributed to the family over the years had he or she lived
Loss of services, comfort, society and companionship that the loved one would have contributed to the family had he or she lived
Pain and suffering the loved one experienced before his or her death

Wrongful Death Damages From Work Accident

If the death occurred while your loved one was working, the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act allows a separate recovery for spouses and dependents of the lost loved one, including:

Burial expenses
Medical bills sustained before the loved one’s death
Wage replacement benefits for the life of the widow, or until he or she remarries
Wage replacement benefits for minor children and other dependents, even while those children are attending college

If the death occurred while the loved one was working and was the result of someone else’s negligence unassociated with the employer, two separate recoveries are available, and it is important to have a lawyer involved early so that the workers’ compensation carrier does not overreach in trying to share in any recovery against negligent parties.

A common misconception is that the family can recover for their own mental distress and anguish from the loss of a loved one. This element of damages is not recoverable, but the family’s distress and mental anguish can be powerfully framed as a different category of damages before a jury or in settlement negotiations.

Call Or Email Us Now If:

If it were your own family members, we would advise calling us as soon as possible after the wrongful death of a loved one as critical evidence involving the accident will go stale and may be difficult to replicate as time passes. We may need to advance payment out of our law firm’s pocket right away for an expert to investigate the accident quickly and talk to witnesses before memories fade. Or we may need to request the other side to preserve certain evidence in the case.
The accident occurred while the loved one was working. There may be a recovery in workers’ compensation as well as a separate recovery against negligent parties. These are separate claims, but it is important to have an attorney involved so that the workers’ compensation carrier does not overreach in trying to share in any recovery against negligent parties.
You feel overwhelmed due to grief, or the sheer volume of paperwork and bills piling up.
The insurance adjuster wants to take a recorded statement from you.
You wonder, “Do I need to set up an estate? And if so, how?”
“How does this all work?” or something similar is the phrase that enters your mind.
The insurance carriers flag certain claims and wrongful death claims that typically increase the need to get a lawyer involved to combat the insurance carrier’s tactics.
The adjuster wants a full release to go back and get any of your loved one’s medical records or medical history to fish for reasons to deny the claim.
You are worried about how settlement may affect other governmental benefits your family may receive.
You are not sure how to calculate what your loved one’s future earnings would have been. We have experts in the field whose job is to make these determinations.

Contact Us For Compassionate Legal Support

If you lost a loved one, call our compassionate legal team at 402-817-2717 or toll-free at 800-655-9606 to schedule a free case evaluation. You may also contact us online.

What Our Clients Say

The lawyers and support staff at Atwood Law Firm showed me sincere interest and caring on a very personal level, and I knew at all times my interests were front and center in all aspects of my workers' compensation case. This office is staffed by a great group of people. You can relax and be assured that your welfare comes first and foremost in their decisions and actions with respect to your legal case. You are kept aware of the process and progress in your case at all times, and your input is welcomed. I highly recommend the Atwood Law Firm to anyone needing legal assistance.

- WN

I cannot thank you enough for the peace of mind you have brought to my family! Both of my parents are extremely grateful for your work. I knew we were in good hands from the first meeting and you have exceeded all my expectations! It may feel straightforward to you, but to us, you have moved mountains. This settlement will allow my parents, particularly my Dad, to enjoy the rest of their lives to the fullest of their abilities. We all agree that we would give every cent back and more for my Dad to walk again, but that is not going to happen...

- DW

"...He didn't treat me like I was one of 100 clients. He treated me like I was his only client. He acted professionally but with empathy, dignity and friendliness. It didn't matter if it was something small or large, he was always there for me, be it by phone, fax, email, cellphone or meeting me personally at his office or elsewhere. He never rushed me when I didn't understand something, he'd take as much time as needed to explain things to me, especially when it came time for my deposition and in preparation for trial. He was there for me when I truly needed his help..."

- CG

"...My husband and I felt his kindness immediately and were both very impressed with his knowledge of what to expect in a wrongful death case. He pursued our claim in an aggressive manner while at the same time being very protective of our rights and privacy and sheltered us from any unnecessary contact with insurance agents, or any other adverse parties. My husband and I cannot say enough about the kindness, professionalism and legal ability demonstrated by Atwood Law"

- RD

"...If it were not for this law firm all I would have received from this injury would have been a loss of income check and a pat on the back, goodbye. Which only would have been a fraction of what I actually received. He was always professional but more importantly he cared about me and my family as people not just a client. He went beyond his role as my lawyer. He even spoke with my bank and explained why I was behind on my car payment. And this saved me getting my car repossessed..."

- HR

Client Testimonials