Losing a loved one in a fatal accident is an unthinkable experience that no one should have to go through. While you’re dealing with overwhelming grief, you may also be facing financial stress, confusing insurance paperwork, and uncertainty about your future. But you don’t have to handle this on your own.
At Litco Law, we offer compassionate support and dedicated legal advocacy to help you navigate this incredibly difficult time. Our Red Deer fatal accident lawyers can handle the legal details and insurance hurdles for you, so you can focus on emotional healing with the people you care about.
Call (587) 602-0514 or contact us for a free consultation. We’re here to listen to your story, explain your options in plain language, and help you find the best path forward for your family.
Get answers to the following topics and questions:
- How Our Red Deer Legal Team Can Help
- Steps To Take After a Fatal Accident in Red Deer
- Understanding Fatal Accident Claims in Alberta
- Compensation and Financial Security After a Fatal Accident
- Time Limits to File a Fatal Accident Claim
- Red Deer Fatal Accidents: Frequently Asked Questions
- Our Red Deer Fatal Accident Legal Team Can Help You Today
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Learn more about what to expect from our free consultation or speak with our legal team to book a free consultation today.
How Our Red Deer Legal Team Can Help
We know a fatal accident and the sudden loss of a loved one can change your life in an instant, but we’re here to take the legal burden off your shoulders and do everything we can to make this challenging time easier.
At Litco Law, we believe you deserve legal support that feels personal, caring, and dependable. Our team puts your needs at the centre of everything we do, serving as a supportive guide you can rely on during every step of the process.
Our Team-Based Approach
When you trust us to handle your claim, you don’t just get a lawyer. You get your own personal legal team that will be with you throughout the course of your claim. We call this team a “pod,” and it includes a lawyer, a case manager, a client care specialist, and a legal assistant. Your team will be by your side through everything, providing the personalized attention and care you deserve.
Clear Communication and Guidance
Our fatal accident lawyers in Red Deer always take the time to answer your questions, walk you through what to expect at every stage, and make sure you have the details you need to make the most informed decisions. You’ll receive regular updates on your claim every 30 days or less, and a 24-hour response time for messages and questions.
Caring Support for the Red Deer Community
Since 1976, our family-owned law firm has helped people in Red Deer and throughout Alberta get through some of the toughest times in their lives. If a fatal accident led to the loss of your loved one, we’re here to help. We can arrange a free consultation at your convenience, in person at our Red Deer office, by phone, virtual meeting, or we’ll come to you.
What Our Red Deer Clients Are Saying
Our award-winning legal service and 800+ five-star Google reviews reflect our willingness to go the extra mile to help our clients however we can. Here’s what some clients have shared about working with our team:
- “Very reassuring from the first meeting. Everything went according to plan. I was in the loop the entire time. No glitches, smooth as silk. Very little effort on my part for a very favourable outcome. – C. S.
- “Great experience working with Litco. They were extremely helpful and diligent in working towards the outcome. The process was very complicated and I am glad I chose to have them on my side. I Would highly recommend the team at Litco Law.” – Cameron M.
Steps To Take After a Fatal Accident in Red Deer
After a tragic loss, we know the weight of what you’re going through can lead to a lot of uncertainty. While the support of your loved ones and community can help you through your grief, there are also steps you can take to protect your legal rights, including:
- Focus on your well-being: Grieving is not an easy process. Consider seeking professional counselling or emotional support to help your family cope.
- Gather information: A copy of the police report, witness information, photos, videos, and other details that can be helpful in understanding the facts of what happened. Consider working with a Red Deer car accident lawyer who can gather this information for you.
- Ask for free legal answers: Our Red Deer legal team is here to provide clarity and answers with no pressure to work with us.
Understanding Fatal Accident Claims in Alberta
If someone’s failure to exercise reasonable care (negligence) led to a fatal accident, family members have the right to seek justice and financial support under Alberta’s Fatal Accidents Act.
Our Red Deer personal injury lawyers can handle every step of your claim, including an internal review to determine who is legally responsible (liable) for the accident. While we know nothing can undo what happened, we can pursue compensation that may protect your family’s future and provide some closure.
Who Can Move Forward With a Claim?
Alberta law identifies specific family members who may pursue compensation through a fatal accident claim, including:
- Spouse or adult (common-law partner) living with the person who died at the time of death
- Parent
- Child
- Siblings
Usually, the executor or administrator of the estate begins the process on behalf of the family to ensure everything is handled properly. If no representative has been appointed, or if a year has passed without a claim being started, family members can often step forward to file directly.
Compensation and Financial Security After a Fatal Accident
Compensation from a fatal accident claim can help ease the financial stress and suffering that follow a tragic loss. Depending on your situation, your family may be able to recover compensation for these losses:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Travel expenses related to your loss
- Fees for grief counselling
- Loss of financial support (the income and benefits your loved one would have contributed to your household or dependents)
- Loss of companionship, care, or guidance (the emotional support, guidance, and daily care your loved one provided that can no longer be part of your life)
- Loss of Household Support (loss of support for household activities and assistance the loved one provided)
- Disbursements
Disbursements are out-of-pocket expenses connected to the preparation of your legal claim, such as court filing fees and the cost of retrieving medical reports. Litco Law covers the cost of disbursements during your claim.
How Does Compensation for Bereavement Work in Alberta?
One thing that makes Alberta law unique is how it handles bereavement. In Alberta, the law simply acknowledges that your loss is profound. It provides these set amounts for grief and the loss of companionship without requiring any proof that you’re suffering:
- $82,000 for a spouse or common-law partner
- $82,000 for parents (shared between them if both are living)
- $49,000 for each surviving child
Important!
If you agree to an insurance company’s settlement offer, you give up your legal right to pursue a personal injury claim. It is best to assess the full extent of your injuries and how they will affect your life before you accept an offer. Please note that you have a maximum of two years from the date of the accident to file an injury claim in Alberta.
Time Limits to File a Fatal Accident Claim
Families generally have up to two years from the death of their loved one to start a fatal accident claim in Alberta. Missing this deadline could mean losing your right to recover compensation.
However, additional deadlines may apply, and there could be exceptions that change the limitations period for your claim. It’s often a good idea to speak with a fatal accident lawyer early in the process to avoid missing important deadlines and to secure vital evidence.
Red Deer Fatal Accidents: Frequently Asked Questions
We know grieving families have many questions after losing someone they love. Below are some of the most common ones we hear about fatal accidents in Red Deer. Because every claim is unique, you can reach out to us at any time to get answers specific to your situation.
What if My Loved One Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?
If your loved one was partially at fault, it’s still possible to pursue a claim under Alberta’s Contributory Negligence Act. However, the compensation amount will be proportionately reduced based on their percentage of responsibility. For example, if the court determines your loved one was 25% liable for the incident, the total award would be reduced by that same 25%.
Your family may also be entitled to Section B benefits if your loved one was lost in a fatal car or pedestrian accident in Red Deer, regardless of who was at fault. If you have questions about Section B benefits or changes to the no-fault system in Alberta, our team can walk you through everything.
Who Is Entitled To Receive Compensation Under the Fatal Accidents Act?
Under Alberta’s Fatal Accidents Act, compensation for the death of a loved one is generally available to a surviving spouse or common-law partner, children, and parents of the person who passed away.
Will Our Family Have To Go to Court?
In our experience, most fatal accident claims are resolved out of court, but some may proceed to litigation. Here’s what that can look like.
Discovery is a mandatory pre-trial process where both sides in a lawsuit exchange information. The purpose is to “discover” the facts, evidence, and perspectives of the other side so there are no surprises in a potential trial. It promotes fairness and encourages settlement in order to avoid a full trial.
Mediation is a confidential, organized negotiation session. A trained, qualified, and neutral third party (mediator) hears both sides of a disagreement and helps both sides reach an agreeable solution in order to avoid a trial.
What Does It Cost To Hire a Fatal Accident Lawyer?
Along with our free consultations, we never bill by the hour. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t pay us anything while your claim progresses. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement we recover for you, and you’ll know that percentage before you ever hire us.
