Losing someone you love because of another person’s careless actions is a pain that words cannot describe. At Christensen Law, our Grand Rapids wrongful death lawyers are here to carry the legal weight, so your family can focus on grieving and healing. We listen to your story first, we protect your rights, and we work to recover the full compensation your family is owed.
Listen Protect Win™. It’s what we do.
No amount of money can replace the person you lost, and we will never pretend otherwise. What a wrongful death claim can do is provide financial stability and a real sense of accountability when your world has been turned upside down. We treat every family we serve with the same care and respect we would want for our own.
We understand how isolating this season can feel, and we want you to know that you are not alone in it. From the moment you reach out, you will have a team beside you that sees your loss and takes it seriously. We see you, and we are here to listen.
If you are searching for answers after a sudden loss in West Michigan, we are ready to help, and the first conversation costs you nothing. Call our Grand Rapids office today at (616) 512-0718, available 24/7 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation.
How Can a Grand Rapids Wrongful Death Lawyer Help After a Loss?
A Grand Rapids wrongful death lawyer can take on the entire legal process for you, so your family does not have to face insurance companies and paperwork alone. From the very first phone call, we step in to investigate what happened, gather evidence, and handle every conversation with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
Grief is heavy enough without legal deadlines and pressure from claims adjusters. We shoulder those responsibilities for you, and we keep you informed at every step. You will never have to wonder where your case stands or what comes next.
Insurance companies often reach out quickly after a fatal accident, and their early offers are rarely fair. We deal with these companies directly, so you are never pressured into accepting less than your family deserves. Having a lawyer in your corner from the start can make a real difference in the outcome of your claim.
At Christensen Law, our team works closely with accident investigators, medical professionals, and financial professionals to build a clear picture of your family’s losses. We do this so the responsible party is held accountable for the true impact of their actions. When you work with us, you gain a steady advocate who treats your family’s future as our top priority.
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim in Michigan?
A wrongful death claim is a civil case that a family can bring when a loved one dies because of another party’s negligence or wrongful act. Under the Michigan Wrongful Death Act, this kind of claim gives surviving family members a legal path to compensation and accountability.
In plain terms, “negligence” means someone failed to act with reasonable care, and that failure caused harm. If your loved one could have filed a personal injury claim had they survived, the law generally allows their estate to pursue a wrongful death claim in their place.
A wrongful death claim is separate from any criminal case the state might bring, and it has a different goal. A criminal case is about punishment, while your civil claim is about supporting the people the loss left behind. The two can move forward at the same time, completely independent of each other.
These cases often follow car crashes, truck collisions, and other preventable tragedies on roads like US-131 and the Gerald R. Ford Freeway. The purpose is not to assign blame for its own sake. The purpose is to secure the support your family needs to move forward with stability.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Michigan?
In Michigan, only the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate can file a wrongful death claim. This is the person appointed by the probate court to manage the estate.
While the personal representative officially files the case, the people who benefit are the surviving family members. Michigan law allows certain relatives to recover compensation, and that group commonly includes:
- The surviving spouse of the person who died
- Children, parents, and siblings of the deceased
- Grandparents and other close relatives in some situations
- Anyone named as a beneficiary in the deceased person’s will
If you are unsure whether you qualify, we can review your family’s situation and explain your options in clear, everyday language. Our wrongful death lawyer in Grand Rapids can also help your family get a personal representative appointed if that step has not happened yet. You do not need to sort out these legal details on your own, because that is exactly what we are here to do.
The Types of Wrongful Death Cases We Handle in Grand Rapids
Our Grand Rapids wrongful death attorneys handle fatal accident cases of many kinds, with a focus on serious crashes and catastrophic injuries. Families across Kent County and West Michigan turn to us after the most devastating losses imaginable.
We regularly represent families in cases involving:
- Car accidents and head-on collisions
- Truck and commercial vehicle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents, including people hit by a vehicle near busy intersections
- Drunk driving and distracted driving crashes
- Bus, rideshare, and other transportation accidents
Every case on this list shares one painful truth, which is that the loss could have been prevented. We bring the same dedication to each family, no matter how the tragedy unfolded. If your loss is not listed here, please reach out anyway, so we can tell you how we may be able to help.
Compensation in a Michigan Wrongful Death Case
Families in a Michigan wrongful death case may be able to recover several forms of compensation for both financial and emotional losses. These damages are meant to ease the practical burdens you now face and to recognize the deep personal impact of losing a loved one.
Common types of compensation include reasonable medical and funeral costs, the lost income and benefits the person would have provided, and the loss of their love, companionship, and guidance. When a court approves a settlement, the proceeds are divided among eligible family members under the rules in Michigan’s distribution statute.
The value of a wrongful death case depends on many details, such as your loved one’s age, income, and role within the family. Because every family is different, no two cases look exactly alike, and we never apply a one-size-fits-all approach. We take the time to understand your family fully, so nothing important is left out of your claim.
Money cannot undo your loss, and we would never suggest it could. What we can do is pursue every dollar your family is owed, so you have the resources to rebuild. We account for both today’s expenses and the long-term needs your family may face in the years ahead.
Why Grieving Families Across Grand Rapids Choose Us
Families choose Christensen Law because we lead with compassion, and we back it with a proven record in the courtroom. Since 1991, we have stood beside Michigan families during the hardest moments of their lives.
Our founder, David Christensen, is a member of the Michigan Association for Justice Hall of Fame, and the firm has earned national recognition for its work on behalf of injured people and grieving families.
Our verdicts and settlements include a $17.8 million personal injury result and a $9.5 million wrongful death recovery, outcomes that reflect what serious trial preparation can mean for a grieving family.
We also take on the costs of your case, so you owe us nothing unless we win. You should never feel like just another file, and with us, you never will. From our office near downtown Grand Rapids, we are ready to put our full resources behind your family’s recovery. To talk with a caring member of our team, call (616) 512-0718 today.
FAQs Answered by Our Grand Rapids Wrongful Death Attorneys
Below are answers to some of the questions families ask us most often after losing a loved one.
Michigan generally gives families three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim, though a separate rule under the wrongful death saving provision can affect that timeline in certain cases. Because deadlines can be complicated, and missing one may cost your family the right to recover, it is wise to speak with a lawyer as soon as you are able.
You pay us nothing up front, and you owe no attorney fees unless we win compensation for your family. We work on what is called a contingency fee, which means our payment comes only as a percentage of a successful result. This approach lets every family get strong legal help, no matter their financial situation.
Every case moves at its own pace, so there is no single answer that fits every family. Some cases settle within several months, while others take a year or more if they go to trial. We work as efficiently as the facts allow, and we keep you updated on the progress the entire way.
Many wrongful death cases reach a fair settlement without a trial, but some do require a courtroom to achieve justice. We prepare every case as if it will go before a jury, because that readiness often leads to stronger settlement offers. If trial is the best path for your family, we are fully prepared to take it.
Yes, your family may still recover compensation even if your loved one shared some of the blame for the accident. Michigan uses a comparative fault system, which can reduce the amount recovered based on the deceased person’s share of responsibility. We can review the details and explain how this rule may apply to your situation.
In many cases, families are able to resolve a wrongful death claim without ever stepping into a courtroom. We handle the negotiations, the filings, and the difficult conversations, so your involvement can stay as limited as you prefer. If a court appearance does become necessary, we will prepare you fully and stand with you the whole time.
A wrongful death claim is a civil case brought by your family to recover compensation, while a criminal case is brought by the government to punish wrongdoing. The two are separate, and a family can pursue a civil claim even if no criminal charges are ever filed. We focus on the civil side, so your family can seek the financial support you need.
When a death follows a motor vehicle crash, Michigan’s No-Fault system still applies to your family’s case. First-party PIP benefits from your loved one’s own auto policy may cover medical bills before death, funeral costs, and survivor’s loss benefits, while a separate third-party claim against the at-fault driver can seek damages for pain and suffering and other losses.
Because coordinated insurance policies and No-Fault rules can be tricky, we walk your family through both paths, so nothing is left out of your recovery.
Our Grand Rapids Wrongful Death Lawyer Is Here When You Are Ready to Talk
When your family is ready, our Grand Rapids wrongful death lawyers are here to listen, and to help you take the next step. You do not have to face the insurance companies, the paperwork, or the future on your own.
Reach out whenever the time feels right, and we will handle the rest with care and respect. There is no pressure and no obligation, just honest answers from people who want to help. Your first consultation is always free and completely confidential.
Call Christensen Law today at (616) 512-0718, available 24/7, or contact us online to speak with a caring member of our team. We are proud to stand beside families throughout Grand Rapids and across Michigan, and we would be honored to stand beside yours.
