Iowa Wrongful Death Lawyers
Fighting for Iowans Who’ve Lost a Loved One
I was so impressed by my experience with RSH Legal. They helped me with a wrongful death lawsuit, during the most horrible and painful time of my life. Everyone at RSH Legal was wonderful to work with and helped to bring as much fairness as possible to a really hard situation.
Honor Your Loved One. Protect Your Family’s Future.
You should not have to choose between honoring someone’s life and protecting your future. The legal process can be overwhelming, and grief does not follow a deadline. We will guide you and protect your rights without putting your grief on hold.
You’re not hiring one lawyer, you’re hiring an entire team.
You do not have to do this alone. Speak with a lawyer for free and pay no fee unless we win. When you are ready, we are here 24/7
Don’t Settle for Less Than You Deserve
Insurance companies are counting on families to miss critical deadlines and legal steps after the loss of a loved one. Too many Iowans are left with mounting medical bills and lost income on top of their grief. RSH Legal can protect your rights and shield you from insurance company tactics. We will seek fair compensation, and not a penny less.
See How Iowa Families Can Find Fairness and Closure After a Wrongful Death
RSH has been phenomenal! I had a tough case with a lot of emotion, and it felt like they felt that emotion every bit as much as I did. Blake, Ben, Jason, and Kim made me feel like family, kept me informed, and made me feel seen and heard all the way through the process. […]
I just want to express how kind and helpful they were to me! I did not even expect to receive a settlement for this incident and they did a lot of work for me to receive the help I needed. They explained everything and I felt confident in the work that they were doing. I […]
My family and I had not been through an experience like this before. RSH Legal explained each step of the process and kept us informed each time changes occurred. The staff was very personable and easy to work with. So grateful to have found this firm to get us through this difficult time.
Results That Help Iowa Families Move Forward After Loss
Get Straight Answers to Your Iowa Wrongful Death Questions
In Iowa, only the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate can file the wrongful death lawsuit. This is usually a close family member appointed by the court.
Here’s what gets many families confused, and it’s critical to understand this early. You can’t just file as an individual family member. The case must be brought through the estate’s representative. This prevents multiple lawsuits and ensures that all family members’ rights are protected.
Choosing the right representative is important. Juries often judge a case by how credible they find that person. RSH Legal can help you understand your legal role and guide you through the process so that the wrong person doesn’t take charge of this case simply because they acted first.
In most cases, you must file the lawsuit within two years from the date of the death. Miss that deadline and you lose your right to bring the case forever. Some cases, like those against government entities or involving medical malpractice, may have shorter deadlines.
Wrongful death cases should be started quickly. Time can weaken your case. For example, if young children grow up and are doing well, juries may see less need for compensation. If a surviving spouse remarries, it can affect what they can testify to in the case. Skipping a step, like opening the deceased’s estate before filing a wrongful death case, can lead to a legitimate case being thrown out of court.
Don’t wait and lose out on rightful compensation for your loved one’s wrongful death. The biggest mistake that we see is waiting too long to get help.
At RSH Legal, we work on a contingency fee, which means that you pay nothing upfront and your lawyer is paid a percentage only if you win. If we don’t win, you owe no attorney fees.
That means you can get quality legal help regardless of your financial situation. We will also advance the costs of building your case and we only get paid back if you get paid. That makes us invested in getting you the best possible result.
It depends on the complexity of the case, the court’s schedule, and whether it settles or goes to trial. Straightforward cases with clear liability may resolve in several months, while complex cases involving multiple parties or disputed facts may take a year or more.
But here’s what most people don’t realize. Wrongful death cases should actually be worked up as quickly as possible and not be allowed to drag on. Time works against these cases in ways that can hurt your recovery. That’s why we work to resolve cases as quickly as possible while still fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Most wrongful death cases in Iowa settle, but some cases go to trial if the other side won’t offer a fair amount. Your lawyer should be ready for both. Settlement can be faster and less stressful, but trial may be the only way to get full compensation.
Insurers often make low offers hoping you’ll take quick money. They pay more to lawyers who actually go to trial. That’s why RSH Legal prepares every case as if it’s going to court. That’s how we get the best settlements possible for families who’ve lost loved ones.
We Guide You, Every Step
RSH Legal has a history of fighting for Iowans who have lost loved ones in fatal accidents. We will guide you through the legal process with strength, compassion, and a focus on fairness.
Our lawyers bring decades of trial experience to Iowa wrongful death and fatal accident cases. Insurance companies pay closer attention when the lawyer on the other side is prepared to go to court. We walk you through every step and answer your questions in plain language, so you always know where your case stands.
RSH Legal is ready to take on insurance companies whenever they stall or push you around. Our lawyers know the tactics these companies use to pressure grieving families into settling for less than they deserve, and we push back on your behalf because your family’s recovery should not be reduced by tactics designed to wear you down.
Our results include a $4 million settlement for a failure to diagnose a fatal case of spinal meningitis, a $1.25 million settlement for an accidental overdose death caused by a wrongfully prescribed medication, and a $1 million settlement for a fatal motorcycle crash involving a tractor-trailer.
RSH Legal has law offices in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Dubuque. Our wrongful death attorneys can assist Iowans after tragic losses in each of Iowa’s 99 counties.
Some people avoid contacting attorneys because they worry about the cost. At RSH Legal, we offer free and confidential consultations. Think of it as a legal strategy session: you speak with a lawyer about your loved one’s death, learn your options, and leave knowing your next step, at no cost and no obligation.
RSH Legal works on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront. Clients only pay attorney fees if we secure a settlement or win damages in court. If we do not win, you don’t pay.
New to This Situation?
We Can Help!
Contact us about your potential case, we’ll offer free legal guidance or arrange a no-cost case evaluation.
Compensation After a Wrongful Death in Iowa
There are more types of compensation available in wrongful death cases than most families realize. This can include medical bills from your loved one’s final treatment, lost income that they would have earned, and the value of any household services that your loved one would have provided.
Every wrongful death case is different. Do not let anyone tell you that certain kinds of losses do not count. Talk to a wrongful death lawyer about what is possible under Iowa law.
- Medical expenses prior to death
- Loss of a loved one’s income
- Loss of a loved one’s insurance and other benefits
- Funeral and burial costs
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of parental guidance
- Loss of household caregiving contributions
Iowa uses a modified comparative fault system, meaning you can still receive compensation if a loved one was 50% or less at fault, and your total compensation is reduced by the share of fault. Even if you think your loved one may have been partly at fault, your family may still have a claim. We can review what happened and explain how this rule applies to you.
Insights and Updates From Iowa’s Personal Injury Experts
How Long Does a Wrongful Death Case Take in Iowa?
A wrongful death can result from improper nursing home care, medical negligence, or in a car crash. No matter how your loved one died, the litigation process can take time. While a lawsuit may be the last thing on your mind when you’re dealing with an unexpected death, you may have questions about the Iowa […]
Read MoreIowa Wrongful Death Settlements: When is the Right Time to Ask for a Settlement?
It is never fair when a loved one is taken from you because of someone else’s mistake. It is natural to focus on grieving rather than holding the wrongdoer accountable. At some point, however, someone may suggest that you may be entitled to a settlement because of your loved one’s death. How can you know […]
Read MoreWrongful Death Claim? What You Should Do If You Suspect Someone is at Fault for Your Loved One’s Death (Video)
If your loved one has died and you suspect that his or her death was caused by someone else’s fault, you may be wondering if you should file a wrongful death claim. Here are things to consider if you want to preserve your right to bring a wrongful death claim in Iowa. Set Up an […]
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