Wrongful Death Attorneys Ann Arbor

Fighting for Families Who Have Lost Loved Ones in Ann Arbor

No amount of money can replace someone you love. When a family member dies due to another person's wrongful act, neglect, or recklessness in Ann Arbor, your family faces immeasurable grief while simultaneously confronting overwhelming practical concerns—funeral costs, lost income, mounting bills, and an uncertain future. At Logeman & Iafrate, P.C., we understand the dual burden you carry during this devastating time.

For over 45 years, our attorneys have stood beside grieving families in Ann Arbor and throughout Michigan, pursuing justice through Michigan's wrongful death laws. We handle the legal complexities while you focus on your family. Our approach combines compassionate support with fierce advocacy—we take cases others won't and fight for every dollar your family needs to move forward.

Understanding Wrongful Death Claims Under Michigan Law

Michigan's Wrongful Death Act (MCL 600.2922) permits surviving family members to file a lawsuit when a death results from wrongful act, neglect, or fault—essentially any circumstances where the deceased could have brought a personal injury claim had they survived. Unlike many states, Michigan's statute requires that the lawsuit be filed by the personal representative (executor or administrator) of the deceased's estate.

If no estate exists, one must be opened specifically to pursue the wrongful death claim. While the personal representative files the lawsuit, damages are distributed among eligible family members including:

• Surviving spouse
• Children, including stepchildren
• Parents
• Grandparents and siblings
• Anyone who was financially dependent on the deceased

The statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is three years from the date of death—not from the date of injury. However, prompt action preserves crucial evidence and protects your family's legal rights. Witnesses' memories fade, physical evidence disappears, and defendants destroy documentation. Starting early strengthens your case.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Ann Arbor

Wrongful deaths in Ann Arbor arise from various forms of negligence and recklessness:

• Car accidents: Distracted drivers, drunk drivers, and aggressive motorists cause fatal crashes on Stadium Boulevard, State Street, and throughout Washtenaw County. Ann Arbor's busy intersections and high traffic volumes create dangerous conditions.
• Truck accidents: Commercial trucks traveling I-94 and US-23 through Ann Arbor cause devastating accidents when trucking companies prioritize profits over safety, failing to maintain vehicles or allowing fatigued drivers behind the wheel.
• Motorcycle accidents: Riders are vulnerable to fatal injuries when motorists fail to see them or violate their right-of-way on Ann Arbor's roads.
• Pedestrian accidents: Ann Arbor's walkable downtown and university environment put pedestrians at risk when drivers fail to yield at crosswalks or drive recklessly through busy areas near campus.
• Medical malpractice: Surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication mistakes, and delayed treatment at University of Michigan hospitals and Ann Arbor medical facilities can result in preventable deaths.
• Workplace accidents: Construction sites, industrial facilities, and other Ann Arbor worksites become deadly when employers ignore safety regulations.
• Nursing home neglect: Inadequate staffing, poor training, and deliberate neglect at Ann Arbor senior care facilities can lead to preventable deaths from falls, infections, dehydration, and medication errors.

Damages Available in Ann Arbor Wrongful Death Cases

Michigan's wrongful death statute allows recovery for both economic and non-economic losses. Compensation may include:

• Medical expenses: Hospital bills, emergency treatment, surgery, and other medical costs incurred between injury and death
• Funeral and burial expenses: Reasonable costs for services, burial, cremation, and memorial arrangements
• Pain and suffering of the deceased: Compensation for the physical pain and mental anguish your loved one endured between injury and death
• Loss of financial support: The income and benefits your family would have received had your loved one survived, calculated through their expected working years
• Loss of inheritance: The estate assets your family lost due to the premature death
• Loss of society and companionship: Compensation for the love, companionship, comfort, guidance, and emotional support your family has lost

For wrongful death claims arising from medical malpractice, Michigan caps non-economic damages at approximately $569,000 (adjusted annually for inflation), with a higher cap of approximately $1,047,000 applying when death occurs. Most other wrongful death cases—including those from auto accidents and general negligence—are not subject to these caps.

The Investigation Process: Building Your Case

Wrongful death cases demand thorough investigation and substantial proof. Insurance companies and defendants aggressively contest these claims, often arguing that the deceased contributed to their own death or that damages are overstated. We counter these tactics by building comprehensive cases supported by solid evidence.

Our investigation typically includes:

• Accident reconstruction: Expert analysis of crash scenes, roadway conditions, and vehicle dynamics to establish exactly how the fatal incident occurred
• Medical record review: Detailed examination of treatment records, autopsy reports, and medical opinions to document injuries and causation
• Witness interviews: Locating and deposing eyewitnesses before memories fade or people relocate
• Economic analysis: Working with vocational and economic experts to calculate lost earnings, benefits, and household services over your loved one's expected lifetime
• Defendant background: Investigating prior incidents, safety violations, and patterns of negligence that support punitive damages claims

This thorough preparation serves two purposes: it maximizes settlement negotiations and positions us to win at trial if insurance companies refuse fair compensation.

Why Ann Arbor Families Choose Logeman & Iafrate

Losing a loved one to someone else's negligence is devastating. During this painful time, you need attorneys who combine legal excellence with genuine compassion. Here's what sets our firm apart:

• Trial-ready advocacy: We prepare every wrongful death case for trial. Insurance companies know we won't back down, which strengthens settlement negotiations.
• Proven results: Our track record includes a $5.1 million verdict for a woman killed by a semi truck, a $1.35 million settlement for a woman killed in a riding mower accident, and substantial recoveries for families throughout Michigan.
• Deep Michigan experience: With over 45 years practicing in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, we understand local courts, juries, and the unique challenges Michigan's laws present.
• No fees unless we win: We operate on a contingency-fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your family.
• Personal attention: You'll work directly with experienced attorneys—not paralegals or case managers. We answer your calls and keep you informed throughout the process.

Helping Families Navigate Difficult Decisions

Wrongful death cases involve complex legal and practical decisions. Should you open an estate? How do you handle competing family interests? What happens to structured settlements if beneficiaries predecease others? We guide families through these challenges, protecting both immediate financial needs and long-term security.

We also coordinate with estate planning attorneys, financial advisors, and tax professionals to ensure settlements and verdicts are structured to maximize benefits and minimize tax consequences for your family.

Starting Your Wrongful Death Claim

The days and weeks following your loved one's death bring overwhelming grief and practical burdens. While legal deadlines may seem distant, early action protects your family's rights and strengthens your case. Evidence disappears, witnesses relocate, and defendants destroy documentation. The sooner we begin investigating, the stronger your claim becomes.

During your free consultation, we'll explain Michigan's wrongful death laws, evaluate your case's potential value, and outline the path forward. You'll leave with clarity about your options and confidence that your family's interests are protected. There's no obligation and no cost unless we win your case.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wrongful Death Claims in Ann Arbor

Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Ann Arbor?

Under Michigan law, only the personal representative (executor or administrator) of the deceased's estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit. If no estate exists, one must be opened specifically to pursue the claim. While the personal representative files the lawsuit, damages are distributed among eligible family members including the spouse, children, parents, grandparents, siblings, and anyone financially dependent on the deceased.

How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim in Michigan?

Michigan's statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is three years from the date of death—not from the date of injury. However, certain circumstances may affect this deadline. Consulting an experienced attorney promptly ensures you preserve all legal rights and allows us to begin investigating while evidence is fresh. Waiting too long can result in lost evidence and weakened claims.

What compensation can my family recover in an Ann Arbor wrongful death case?

Michigan law allows recovery for medical expenses incurred between injury and death, funeral and burial costs, the deceased's pain and suffering before death, loss of financial support the family would have received, loss of inheritance, and loss of society and companionship. The specific damages depend on your loved one's age, earning capacity, relationship to survivors, and circumstances of death.

Do Michigan's damage caps apply to wrongful death cases?

For wrongful death arising from medical malpractice, Michigan caps non-economic damages at approximately $569,000 for standard cases and $1,047,000 when death occurs (amounts adjusted annually). Most other wrongful death claims—including those from car accidents, premises liability, and general negligence—are not subject to these caps. Our attorneys evaluate each case to determine applicable limits and maximize recovery within legal parameters.

Can I pursue a wrongful death claim if my loved one died in a car accident in Ann Arbor?

Yes. When someone dies in an auto accident, families may pursue both no-fault survivor benefits through insurance and a third-party wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver. Our attorneys help families navigate both systems to secure maximum compensation while handling all legal proceedings during this difficult time. Michigan's no-fault system doesn't prevent wrongful death claims—it complements them.

What if my family member contributed to the accident that killed them?

Michigan follows comparative negligence rules. If your loved one was partially at fault, it doesn't automatically bar recovery—but damages may be reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, if total damages are $1 million and your loved one was 20% at fault, recovery would be reduced to $800,000. Our attorneys thoroughly investigate to minimize any alleged contributory negligence and maximize your family's recovery.