Losing someone you love because of another person’s careless or reckless actions is one of the most painful experiences anyone can endure. At Christensen Law, our Ann Arbor wrongful death lawyers understand the grief, confusion, and financial strain that follows the sudden loss of a family member.
Our promise is simple: Listen, Protect, Win. It’s what we do. We listen to your story with compassion, we protect your family from aggressive insurance tactics, and we fight for the justice and full compensation your loved one’s life deserves. If your family member was killed in a car accident, truck crash, motorcycle collision, or any other preventable incident in the Ann Arbor area, we want to help you hold the responsible party accountable.
Call our Ann Arbor office today at 734-519-7576 24/7 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us support you through this difficult time.
CHRISTENSEN LAW HAS A 24 HOUR RAPID RESPONSE SERVICE
Why Choose Christensen Law for Your Ann Arbor Wrongful Death Case?
We know that choosing a wrongful death attorney is one of the most important decisions your family will make during an already devastating time. Here is what sets us apart.
We truly listen. When you come to us, you will not be treated like a file number. Our attorneys and staff take the time to understand your family’s story, your loved one’s life, and the full weight of what you have lost. Managing partner Sarah Stempky-Kime and the entire Christensen Law team are committed to compassionate, attentive client care at every stage of your case.
We protect you from the start. Insurance companies and defense teams move fast after a fatal accident. We move faster. From the moment you retain us, we take over communications with insurers, gather and preserve critical evidence, and ensure no one takes advantage of your family’s grief and vulnerability.
We win for you. Our firm has secured tens of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for Michigan families, including a $17,800,000 motor vehicle accident verdict, a $9,500,000 wrongful death verdict, and a $6,000,000 wrongful death recovery. We do not take cases we do not believe in, and when we take yours, we spare no resource to reach the result you deserve. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing up front, and we only get paid if we win your case.
Ann Arbor is a community rooted in a strong sense of justice and care for its residents. From the vibrant neighborhoods near the University of Michigan to the families throughout Washtenaw County, our clients are neighbors, and we treat them that way. Let us be the voice for your family when you need it most.
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim in Michigan?
A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit brought by the personal representative of the deceased’s estate on behalf of surviving family members when a person dies due to another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct. In plain terms, it is a legal way to seek financial accountability from the person or organization whose actions caused your loved one’s death.
In Michigan, wrongful death claims are governed by the Michigan Wrongful Death Act, MCL § 600.2922. This law allows certain family members to file a claim and recover compensation for their losses. Eligible claimants typically include a spouse, children, parents, and other dependents or next of kin.
Wrongful Death vs. Murder: What Is the Difference?
The same fatal incident can give rise to both a wrongful death lawsuit and a criminal murder charge, but they are two entirely separate legal processes with very different goals.
A criminal case is brought by the government and aims to punish the person responsible. A civil wrongful death claim is brought by the surviving family and aims to provide financial compensation for their loss.
One of the most important things to understand is that you do not need a criminal conviction, or even a criminal charge, to pursue a wrongful death claim.
The two cases also use different standards of proof, which is why someone can be acquitted of murder in criminal court and still be held liable in a civil wrongful death case. The O.J. Simpson case is perhaps the most well-known example of this.
| Criminal Murder Case | Civil Wrongful Death Claim | |
|---|---|---|
| Who files it | The government (prosecutor) | The deceased’s family or estate |
| Goal | Punishment (prison, fines) | Financial compensation for the family |
| Standard of proof | Beyond a reasonable doubt | Preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not) |
| Outcome if successful | Conviction, sentencing | Monetary settlement or verdict |
| Required for the other? | No | No |
These two paths can run at the same time, or one may proceed without the other ever being filed. If your loved one was killed and you are unsure whether a civil claim is possible given the circumstances, please reach out to us. We will give you a straight answer.
How Does Michigan No-Fault Insurance Affect a Wrongful Death Claim?
If your loved one died in a motor vehicle accident, Michigan’s No-Fault auto insurance system shapes how your family recovers compensation. First-party Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits cover medical bills incurred before death, certain wage loss, and survivor’s loss benefits, regardless of who caused the crash. These benefits are paid by your loved one’s own auto insurer or, in some cases, an assigned carrier through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan.
A separate third-party lawsuit may be filed against the at-fault driver for noneconomic damages, including grief, loss of companionship, and the pain and suffering your loved one endured before passing. Excess economic losses not fully covered by PIP, such as future earning capacity, can also be pursued in that third-party claim.
Coordinated insurance policies, household coverage, and the level of PIP your loved one selected can all change how these claims interact. We will sort through every available policy so nothing is left on the table.
How Do You Know If You Have a Wrongful Death Case?
You may have a wrongful death claim if someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct caused your loved one’s death. Common situations our Ann Arbor wrongful death attorneys handle include fatal car accidents, commercial truck crashes, motorcycle collisions, and incidents involving catastrophic injuries that led to death.
To build a valid claim, four legal elements generally need to be established. First, the at-fault party owed your loved one a duty of care. Second, they breached that duty through negligent or reckless behavior. Third, that breach directly caused the fatal incident. Fourth, the surviving family members suffered measurable damages as a result.
You do not need to figure out whether these elements apply to your situation on your own. We offer free consultations so you can share what happened and get a clear, honest assessment of your options, with no pressure and no cost to you.
Why Do Wrongful Death Cases Require an Experienced Trial Attorney?
Insurance companies and defense attorneys do not give settlements away. They investigate aggressively, look for reasons to minimize your claim, and often move quickly to settle for far less than your family is owed. Having an experienced wrongful death attorney in your corner levels the playing field.
Christensen Law has been advocating for Michigan families since 1991. Firm founder David Christensen has achieved the highest possible honors for a trial attorney, and our firm holds a First-Tier ranking in Detroit in Personal Injury Litigation by U.S. News and Best Lawyers for the 2026 edition of “Best Law Firms.”
We are also recognized as a Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent Law Firm and a member of ABOTA, the American Board of Trial Advocates.
Our record-setting results speak for themselves, including a $17,800,000 motor vehicle accident verdict, a $9,500,000 wrongful death verdict, a $9,500,000 motorcycle accident verdict, and a $6,000,000 wrongful death recovery.
These outcomes are not accidental. They reflect years of careful investigation, collaboration with leading medical and economic professionals, and aggressive advocacy on behalf of grieving families across Michigan.
What Compensation Can a Wrongful Death Claim Recover?
Michigan’s wrongful death statute allows surviving family members to seek compensation for a broad range of losses. Understanding what you may be entitled to can help you make informed decisions about moving forward.
Recoverable damages in a Michigan wrongful death case often include:
- Medical bills and treatment costs incurred before your loved one’s death
- Funeral, burial, and memorial expenses
- Lost wages, benefits, and future earning capacity your loved one would have provided
- Loss of companionship, society, and the day-to-day relationship you had with them
- Loss of parental guidance and care for surviving children
- Pain and suffering your loved one experienced before death
- The grief and mental anguish experienced by surviving family members
These losses go far beyond financial figures. They represent a life cut short and a family forever changed. We work closely with medical professionals, economists, and other specialists to ensure every element of your loss is fully documented and presented.
What Tactics Do Insurance Companies Use After a Wrongful Death?
Insurance companies often move within hours of a fatal accident, and their early outreach can feel like compassion when it is really claim containment. From our decades of representing Michigan families, we see the same playbook used again and again, and recognizing it early protects your case value.
A common opening move is a quick call from the at-fault driver’s insurer asking for a recorded statement. Grieving family members are not legally required to provide one, and what is said in those early days can be twisted later to suggest the loved one was partly to blame.
Adjusters may also push families to accept a “quick settlement” within days or weeks of the death. These offers almost always arrive before the full picture of damages is known, before funeral and burial bills are finalized, and before future earning capacity has been calculated by an economist.
Other tactics we see include sweeping medical authorization requests that reach far beyond the incident, scheduling independent medical examinations of any injured survivors, and monitoring social media for material to use against your claim. Once we are retained, all of this stops. We handle every insurance communication directly, so your family can focus on grieving and healing while we focus on the case.
How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Michigan?
Time is critical in wrongful death cases. Under the Michigan statute of limitations, MCL § 600.5805, surviving family members generally have three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your family from seeking compensation, regardless of how strong your case may be.
There are also practical time pressures. Evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and accident scenes change. The sooner we begin investigating, the stronger your case will be. If you are unsure how much time you have left, please reach out to us right away. We will review your timeline at no charge.
FAQs Answered by Our Ann Arbor Wrongful Death Lawyers
We know you have questions, and we want to give you real, honest answers. Below are some of the questions we hear most often from families in situations like yours.
Yes. A civil wrongful death lawsuit and a criminal prosecution are separate legal proceedings. The outcome of one does not determine the outcome of the other. You can pursue civil compensation even if no criminal charges are filed, or even if criminal charges do not result in a conviction.
Michigan follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means your family may still recover compensation even if your loved one shared some responsibility for the incident. However, if your loved one is found to be more than 50 percent at fault, the family cannot recover damages. An attorney can help evaluate how fault is likely to be assessed in your specific case.
Every case is different. Some cases settle within several months after investigation and negotiation. Others, particularly those involving disputed liability or significant damages, may take a year or more, especially if the case goes to trial. We will keep you informed every step of the way so you are never left wondering about the status of your claim.
Not necessarily. The majority of wrongful death cases are resolved through settlement negotiations rather than a trial. That said, we prepare every case as though it will go to trial. If the at-fault party’s insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement, we are fully prepared to take your case before a jury.
At Christensen Law, we handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. That means there are no up front costs and no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for your family. Your initial consultation is always free.
This is more common than most people realize. Michigan has specific laws and insurance provisions that may provide additional avenues for recovery, including uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage under your own policy. We will review all potential sources of compensation to make sure your family is not left without options.
Absolutely. Commercial truck accidents often involve multiple potentially liable parties, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and cargo loaders or vehicle maintenance contractors. These cases require thorough investigation, and our attorneys have significant experience handling fatal truck accident claims throughout Michigan.
Contact Our Ann Arbor Wrongful Death Attorneys Today
Your family should not have to face this alone. The Ann Arbor wrongful death lawyers at Christensen Law are ready to stand with you, fight for you, and help your family move toward justice and healing.
We have helped Michigan families recover millions of dollars after devastating losses, and we are here to do the same for you.
Call our Ann Arbor office today at 734-519-7576 for a free, no-obligation consultation, available 24/7. You pay nothing until we win. Let us listen to your story and help you understand your options.
