Wrongful Death

Alabama handles wrongful death unlike any other state. Damages are punitive, tied to how wrongful the conduct was, and the case is filed by the estate’s personal representative. The lawsuit must be filed no later than two years after the death, and that deadline is generally not paused for any reason.

Setting up the estate in probate court is often the first step, and it’s easy to put off. Our wrongful death guide explains what families should know.