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Wrongful Death

Montana and Oregon Wrongful Death Lawyers

You Are Not Alone. Call Our Compassionate Wrongful Death Attorneys

  • Have you lost a loved one because of someone else’s negligence or recklessness?
  • You are not alone during this difficult time.
  • Let our experienced personal injury attorneys help you obtain full and fair compensation for your family.

Our attorneys work hard to ensure the best possible outcomes for grieving families. 


Call Bliven Law Firm, P.C. at (406) 625-0100 to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our Montana and Oregon wrongful death attorneys.


Overview: Wrongful Death 

The loss of a loved one is one of the most painful experiences in life. The pain of moving on without a loved one can feel overwhelming and uncertain. In a moment, a lifetime of dreams and plans are suddenly gone. During this time, bills and expenses may pile up, adding more uncertainty and stress to your life. When this occurs, it is important to know that you do not have to shoulder these burdens alone. An experienced and compassionate wrongful death attorney can help. We know that no amount of compensation could ever replace the loss of your loved one. However, you and your family should not have to struggle financially due to a person or entity’s negligence.

At Bliven Law Firm, P.C., our Montana and Oregon wrongful death attorneys offer compassionate legal guidance during this difficult time. We can negotiate with insurance companies to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. This allows you to focus on your family and on rebuilding your life.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death

Sometimes, a person or company’s recklessness or carelessness leads to the death of another person. When this happens, surviving family members may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim to recover damages. These claims go through civil courts. As such, they are separate from any criminal court proceedings against the “at fault” party.

A wrongful death can occur in many ways. The most common causes of wrongful death include:

Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

In Montana, family members of the deceased can file a wrongful death claim. In order to win your claim, your wrongful death lawyer must establish four critical elements:

  • The defendant owed a duty of care to the decedent
  • The defendant breached this duty of care
  • The breach of duty caused the fatality
  • Surviving family members suffered damages as a result of the fatality

Only certain surviving family members can file a lawsuit. Generally, those family members include spouses, children and parents. In some cases, other family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit when there are no other surviving family members. An experienced wrongful death attorney can help you through this complex and trying process.

What Is The Time Limit For Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Montana?

In the state of Montana, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death lawsuit is generally three years from the date of the victim's death. This means that the legal action must be initiated within this period for it to be considered valid in a court of law.

However, there exists an exception to this rule. If the wrongful death was the result of a homicide, the time limit extends to ten years from the date of the death. This extension provides the deceased's representatives more time to pursue justice in such serious circumstances.

Can I Sue For Wrongful Death If There Was No Criminal Conviction?

In Montana, it is possible to file a wrongful death lawsuit even if there was no criminal conviction. Criminal cases and cases involving wrongful deaths are two different legal processes; the conclusion of one does not influence the other. A civil court, not a criminal court, hears wrongful death cases.

In a wrongful death lawsuit, the burden of proof is not as high as in a criminal trial. Instead of needing to demonstrate "beyond a reasonable doubt," as in criminal cases, wrongful death suits necessitate only a "preponderance of evidence." This implies that it's more probable than not that the defendant's negligence resulted in the fatality. Consequently, even if an individual is acquitted in a related criminal proceeding, they can still be found liable in a civil lawsuit for wrongful death.
 

Contact Our Montana and Oregon Wrongful Death Lawyers

The Montana and Oregon wrongful death attorneys at Bliven Law Firm, P.C., have experience helping grieving families in Kalispell, Columbia Falls, Whitefish, and Big Fork. We also serve clients with cases in Flathead County, Glacier National Park, West Glacier and throughout the state of Montana.

We know that you need someone on your side during this difficult time. That is why we offer free initial consultations with our attorneys. Call us today and discover why so many Montana and Oregon families count on Bliven Law Firm, P.C.


If you have lost a loved one because of another person’s negligence, we can help. Call us at (406) 625-0100 or fill out our confidential contact form


How Our Wrongful Death Attorneys Can Help You

At Bliven Law Firm, P.C., our wrongful death attorneys can help you file the necessary claims to collect both non-economic and economic damages after the loss of a loved one. These include:

Economic Damages

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earnings
  • Future benefits earned
  • Funeral and burial expenses

Non-Economic Damages

  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of companionship
  • Loss of consortium
  • Loss of guidance and support

We offer real support and compassionate care during this time. We know that no amount of compensation could ever replace the loss of your loved one. Yet, we believe in helping grieving family members move forward in life as best as possible after suffering a loss.

If you lose a loved one due to another person’s carelessness, it is important to act quickly. There are time limits for filing a claim. In Montana, families only have three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. As such, it is important to call our law firm today to learn more about your legal options.

  • Handling the Details, So You Can Recover

    If you can’t come to our office to discuss your claims due to injury or grief, we offer hospital and home visits. Weekend and evening appointments are available.

  • Providing Answers & Solutions
    Taking on the legal system can seem overwhelming without prior knowledge or experience. Our Montana personal injury lawyers understand that this situation is not easy. That is why we dedicate our practice to helping those injured in various types of accidents.
  • Customized Legal Strategies
    All of the legal professionals at Bliven Law Firm, P.C. understand that each injured victim has a unique situation. We work hard to obtain advance settlements for medical treatment and lost wages before the final settlement.
  • Dedicated & Experienced Counsel

    Bliven Law Firm has been serving the injured individuals throughout Montana and Oregon for over 25 years. We have the tools, experience, and resources to effectively advocate on your behalf.