Skip to main content

North Dakota Wrongful Death Lawyers

The Advocates law firm provides legal representation for people with wrongful death cases. Contact us today for a free consultation.

A Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help Assist You with Your Case 

Every year, lives are disrupted by the sudden death of a loved one. These tragedies occur in car accidents, medical malpractice, criminal acts, and a multitude of other ways.   

Family members of the deceased person are left with pain and suffering. Throw into the mix the funeral expenses and medical bills, and the situation becomes increasingly stressful for the surviving family members.  

The Advocates will not let this happen to you. Our mission has always been to provide you with North Dakota’s finest wrongful death lawyers. We have years of experience assisting our fellow North Dakotans.  

Call us today, and together, we can begin your wrongful death lawsuit. 

The Next Steps in Your North Dakota Wrongful Death Case

Wrongful Death

If another person’s negligence caused your loved one’s death, you may have a case

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin your case

Compile Documents

Gather relevant documents, like a death certificate and medical bills

Investigation

Your attorney, with the assistance of other experts, will investigate the cause of death

Negotiations

Your attorney will negotiate with the other party in an attempt to settle out of court

Lawsuits

If the other party refuses to settle, your attorney will represent you in court

Frequently Asked Questions

You will pay nothing out-of-pocket when you hire an Advocate. 

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees. 

Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. We do not get paid unless we win your case, and you receive a settlement. 

For more information on how settlements and payment work, please see our contingency fee information page. 

If the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex. 

Your attorney will gather evidence, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary.  

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime.  

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more. 

In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to several years. It is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action. 

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin. 

In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator. 

A Team of Wrongful Death Professionals Assigned to Your Case 

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive fair compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you.  

We can help you:  

  • Understand the claims process 
  • Investigate your accident 
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters 
  • Obtain a settlement or judgment against the at fault party 

Talking to a Professional

Talk to a professional

The Basics of a Wrongful Death Claim

Husband trying to comfort his wife due to her loss

The types of damages you can sue for 

As if losing a loved one isn’t enough, wrongful deaths also bring loads of extra emotional and financial stress. You are due compensation for any damages inflicted on you. 

In general, here is what people sue for: 

  • Funeral expenses for the deceased person 
  • Medical expenses 
  • Non-economic damages like emotional distress 
  • Loss of companionship 
  • Lost income 
  • Property damage 

Common causes of wrongful deaths 

Wrongful death cases are the result of various incidents. Here are the most common: 

  • Medical malpractice 
  • Workplace accidents 
  • Commercial truck accidents 
  • Defective products  
  • Illegal acts like criminal homicide 
  • Nursing home negligence 
  • Premises liability 
Hospital nurses checking on woman patient at intensive care unit and monitoring her health with medical equipment and sensors.
Business people discussion advisor concept

Civil vs criminal case: Which will yours be? 

The Advocates are not here to send the responsible party to prison. That usually falls to prosecutors or district attorneys. Instead, our priority is protecting your financial and emotional well-being.  

Our case will be a civil one, with the purpose of suing the party responsible to ensure you receive fair compensation. 

Survival action 

If your loved one survived for some time before passing on, they probably ensured a lot of pain and suffering. They probably also had a personal injury claim going. 

When they pass away, the deceased’s estate may still recover damages endured by the deceased. 

This is called survival action. Our lawyers are personal injury attorneys who can help you with both a wrongful death claim and survival action.  

Grief counselor for mourning widow

North Dakota Law on Wrongful Deaths

Attorney talks with client

Who is responsible for the deceased person’s estate? 

A personal representative is the person responsible for managing a decedent’s estate. They are either appointed by the will or by the court if there is no will.   

In the case of there not being a will, the court appoints a personal representative following a statutory priority list:  

  • Surviving spouse  
  • Family members such as surviving children, surviving parents, or surviving grandparents  
  • Other heirs  
  • A trust company  
  • Any creditor of the estate after 45 days from the date of the death 

The responsibilities of the personal representative 

  • Locate and file the will with the court  
  • Petition the court to appoint you as personal representative  
  • Notify heirs and beneficiaries of the estate administration  
  • Inventory and appraise assets  
  • Secure and manage estate property  
  • File a wrongful death claim on behalf of the beneficiaries 
legal consultants, notary or justice lawyer discussing contract

The time limit for filing your claim 

According to wrongful death law in North Dakota, you have two years to file a wrongful death case.  

When Should I Hire a North Dakota Wrongful Death Attorney?

Our legal advice is to start the process quickly. You deserve a quick resolution and assurance that you will not experience financial distress from this loss.   

The Advocates’ office location is in Williston, but we are here to serve everyone in North Dakota. Fargo, Minot, Bismark—anyone with a wrongful death claim is welcome here. 

We are sorry for this terrible tragedy. We understand that the last thing you want to do is go through the hassle of the law. But you can rest assured knowing that after one quick call, your case will be in the hands of a wrongful death lawyer with years of experience.   

You deserve it. You deserve an Advocate.    

By clicking the button below, I consent to giving my information to The Advocates Injury Attorneys and agree to all privacy policies that are included on this page. I agree to receive SMS/text messages. Message and data rates may apply. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time.