Wrongful Death Investigation
After the tragic death of a loved one, partner, or friend, surviving members will want to seek justice on behalf of the individual. Wrongful death due to violence or carelessness can be a major legal battle, but not all of them classify as a wrongful death lawsuit.
At St. George Investigations, we will help you classify your legal case and gather the evidence needed to get justice for your loved one. Our investigators have the knowledge and skills needed to prove a wrongful death lawsuit and bring you the closure and peace of mind you need. Handling a wrongful death case on your own can be overwhelming and traumatic. Work with a professional private investigator to speed up the legal process.
What Is Considered Wrongful Death
There are a variety of wrongful death cases, but there are some specific criteria the case needs to meet in order to be filed as a wrongful death suit. Common types of wrongful death investigations include medical malpractice, workplace fatalities, product liability, and negligent accidents. When a person loses their life due to another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct, this will be considered wrongful death. Many private investigators uncover these cases during unrelated investigations or may find evidence that changes the direction of the investigation.
Key Elements Of Wrongful Death Cases
All wrongful death cases need to prove these four elements in order to reach a successful conclusion.
- Negligence: You must prove that the death of the plaintiff was caused by carelessness or the negligent actions of the defendant. Negligence is often seen in birth injuries, product defects, or supervised activities.
- Breach of Duty: A successful wrongful death case will need to prove that the defendant owed a duty to the victim. This means operating safely, maintaining the person’s health, or supervision and care of a person who can not do so themselves.
- Causation: To prove that the defendant’s duty was breached, the lawsuit must prove how the negligence caused the actual death. Causation is easily proven in motorcycle, truck, and automobile accidents, occupational hazards, and medical malpractice.
- Damages: You will also need to prove damages that were caused by the wrongful death or abuse leading to wrongful death. This may include medical expenses, loss of income, or physical injuries.
Find out more
ContactInvestigating Wrongful Death Cases
Handling a wrongful death case is a complex process that requires multiple legal experts and can even benefit from a private investigator. Working with a private investigator provides insight and evidence that may have otherwise gone overlooked by a busy detective or task force. St. George Investigations dedicates our time to finding the missing pieces that could take your case to a more favorable level.
Collaboration is a key component of a PI’s work, including working with other experts in the medical or postmortem field to help uncover critical information for the case. Witness interviews, analyzing conversations with subjects, and utilizing the knowledge of other experts will help fill in the gaps in a wrongful death case, ensuring it is filed and solved with dignity.
Who Can File A Wrongful Death Suit?
The process of filing a wrongful death suit will depend on your state and local laws. Some states only allow immediate family members to claim a wrongful death. This includes spouses, parents, and children. Other states may allow those receiving financial support from the deceased to file a case. In Utah, heirs and surviving family members are the only ones who can file the case. Work with your legal team and private investigator to find the best filing and course of action for the most optimal outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How does hiring a private investigator differ from the police investigation?
Law enforcement officers focus primarily on identifying criminal conduct and securing convictions for the state. A private investigator works directly for you or your legal team, focusing on building evidence specifically for a civil suit, uncovering details busy detectives might miss, and giving your case dedicated, full-time attention. -
At what point during a wrongful death case should I hire a private investigator?
It is best to hire an investigator as early as possible. Critical evidence—such as surveillance video, physical accident scene data, and fresh witness memories—can disappear or fade quickly. Early involvement ensures vital details are documented before they are lost. -
What specific types of evidence can St. George Investigations gather to help prove causation and damages?
Investigators collect physical and digital evidence, such as dashcam and security footage, phone and financial records, scene reconstructions, background checks on the negligent party, and detailed witness statements to directly support the four required legal elements.
Clear Communication And Free Consultations
St. George Investigations wants clients to feel safe and secure when working with a private investigator. We offer free and confidential consultations before we get to work on your case. Learn if we are the right fit, share details of your case, and learn how much our services will cost. We listen to your unique needs to build a personalized plan and price for each client. Working with St. George Investigations uses a comprehensive approach to cases ranging from infidelity to criminal cases.
What Makes Us Different
- Direct communication
- Consistent case updates
- Competitive pricing
- Transparency
- 20+ years of investigative experience
Every client is important to us, especially because you are a crucial part of the success of a case. You know about the subject and situation better than anyone else, but bringing in our professionals to conduct investigative techniques is the safest choice. For over 20 years, our investigator has found the true methods for success. Solve your case safely and efficiently with St. George Investigations.
