You don't have to figure this out alone right now

Grief and serious injury can leave you exhausted, scared, and unsure what to ask. You do not need to understand every legal rule before speaking with an attorney.

 

This guide gives you a simple way to judge whether an attorney can handle your case with care and skill. A free consultation lets you ask direct questions, understand possible next steps, and decide whether the firm feels right without paying upfront or making a commitment.

 

Wrongful death claim or survival action — what's the difference?

A wrongful death claim seeks compensation for losses suffered by certain surviving family members. For example, a child may seek compensation for the lost financial support, care, and companionship of a parent.

A survival action covers certain losses the person could have claimed if they had lived. For example, the person’s estate may seek compensation for medical bills or lost wages tied to the time between the injury and death.

A family may have grounds for both claims. A strong attorney should explain who can bring each claim, what losses each one covers, and how they may fit together in plain language.

 

What to look for in an attorney

You can compare attorneys using six clear criteria.

1. Fees. Look for a contingency fee, no upfront cost, and written terms.

2. Trial experience. Choose an attorney prepared to take a case to court.

3. Claim experience. Ask about both wrongful death claims and survival actions.

4. Lifetime care planning. Confirm the attorney can calculate future care costs after a catastrophic injury.

5. Family needs. Look for experience with children and families who lost their sole earner.

6. Communication. Ask who will handle your case and how quickly they answer questions.

Comparing what matters, criterion by criterion

Ask how the contingency fee works. A strong attorney explains the fee in writing, including case costs and what happens if no money is recovered. Hakakian Law offers a free consultation and charges no upfront attorney fee. The firm receives an attorney fee only if it recovers money for you.

Look for real trial experience. Insurance companies may offer less when they believe an attorney wants a quick settlement. Ask who would prepare the case for trial and whether that attorney has handled serious injury or death cases in court.

Choose experience with both types of death claims. A wrongful death claim covers losses suffered by close family members, while a survival action covers certain losses the person suffered before death. A strong wrongful death lawyer in Los Angeles can identify which claims may apply and explain them in plain language.

Ask how the attorney calculates lifetime care costs. Brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and permanent disabilities can require decades of medical care and daily support. A strong catastrophic injury attorney in California works with qualified professionals to estimate future treatment, equipment, lost income, and personal care. Hakakian Law has experience handling catastrophic injury claims involving long-term needs.

Discuss the family’s specific financial needs. Cases involving a child or the family’s sole income earner require careful estimates of future support and services. The attorney should ask detailed questions about income, benefits, caregiving, education, and the help the family now needs.

Set clear expectations for communication. Ask who will answer questions, how often you will receive updates, and whether you can speak with the attorney handling your case. Shawn Hakakian stays personally involved in cases, giving clients direct guidance during the claims process.

Questions worth asking before you sign anything

Ask these questions during a free consultation, and write down each attorney’s answers.

1. Will I pay anything upfront, and how will you calculate your fee?

2. Have you taken wrongful death or catastrophic injury cases to trial?

3. How do you handle wrongful death claims and survival actions?

4. How will you estimate lifetime medical care, lost income, and support needs?

5. Have you handled cases involving children or a family’s sole income earner?

6. Who will handle my case, how often will I receive updates, and how quickly will you return calls?

A firm should answer each question clearly without pressuring you to sign. Its willingness to give direct answers during a free consultation can help you judge how it will communicate later.

 

Why families choose Hakakian Law for these cases

Families choose Hakakian Law because Shawn Hakakian stays personally involved in their cases. His hands-on work supports the communication standard described above. You can ask questions, understand what happens next, and receive updates from someone who knows your case.

Hakakian Law also has experience with catastrophic injury cases that require careful estimates of lifetime care costs. The firm considers future medical care, support needs, and lost income when measuring what a permanent injury may cost a family.

For wrongful death claims, Hakakian Law gives families personal attention while pursuing compensation through negotiation or litigation. The firm explains each step in plain language so you can make informed choices without carrying the legal work yourself.

 

Talk to someone today, at no cost

A free consultation with Hakakian Law lets you discuss what happened and ask questions without committing to representation. You pay no upfront attorney fee, and the firm collects no attorney fee unless it wins your case.

You do not have to compare attorneys or understand every legal issue alone. Reaching out for an initial conversation costs nothing.

 

 

Disclaimer: This post is considered attorney advertising and is for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.