Jackson Wrongful Death Attorney
Support For Families After A Tragic Loss
There is nothing more difficult than losing a loved one, especially when their death could have—and should have—been prevented. In the midst of your shock, grief, and the countless practical decisions that come in the wake of these tragic events, you may also be wondering whether your family has any legal rights and how you can hold the responsible party (or parties) accountable. This is where an experienced and compassionate legal team can help.
At T. Mark Sledge, Attorney at Law, we help families pick up the pieces when someone they love is killed by the negligent or wrongful conduct of another. Led by Jackson wrongful death attorney and former Circuit Court Judge for Mississippi’s Seventh Circuit Court District Mark Sledge, our firm draws on more than 45 years handling complex catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. We offer free, no-obligation consultations, and we handle these cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you don't pay anything unless we recover a settlement or verdict for you.
From the first conversation between you and our team, we strive to take as much of the legal burden off your shoulders as we can. We're here to listen to what happened, answer your questions in plain language, and start mapping out the steps we can take to protect your family’s rights while you focus on healing together.
Talk to a wrongful death lawyer in Jackson today about your case. Call (601) 768-2165 or contact us online.
Why Families Turn To Us After A Wrongful Death
When families decide to explore a wrongful death claim, they want to know that their lawyer has actually been in courtrooms, has faced powerful defendants before, and has the track record to prove it. Attorney Mark Sledge has done exactly that. He served as Circuit Court Judge for the Seventh Circuit Court District, which includes Hinds and Yazoo Counties, after being elected as the youngest circuit judge in Mississippi at the time. That experience gives him rare insight into how judges manage complex cases, how juries respond to evidence, and how defense teams approach these disputes.
Before and after his time on the bench, Mark has been part of high-stakes litigation nationwide. He served on the trial team in Bailey vs. Janssen Pharmaceutical, which resulted in a $100 million jury verdict and recognition of T. Mark Sledge, Attorney at Law as one of the top ten winningest law firms in the United States in 2001. Our firm also achieved a $4.9 million jury verdict in Upton vs. Diamond Offshore Drilling for an offshore injury case. While these are different kinds of cases, they demonstrate our capacity to handle complex, aggressively defended claims that often share features with wrongful death litigation.
For your family, this background matters because it shapes how we approach your claim from the start. We understand how insurers and corporate defense teams evaluate cases, so we work to anticipate their arguments and display evidence in a way that is both powerful and persuasive. We prepare every serious case as if it could go all the way to trial, which allows us to negotiate from a position of strength while still pursuing fair settlements when that is in our client’s best interest.
How We Help Jackson Families Shoulder The Legal Burden
After a fatal crash, workplace catastrophe, or other tragic event, most families do not have the time, resources, or emotional energy to chase records, deal with insurance adjusters, or worry about what to say when employers or insurance companies start calling. At T. Mark Sledge, Attorney at Law, we step in so you don't have to manage this alone. When you reach out, your initial consultation is free. We take the time to hear your story, ask necessary but noninvasive questions, and explain what a wrongful death claim might involve for your family.
If we move forward together, our firm will handle all communication with insurance providers, trucking companies, employers, manufacturers, or defense teams that may be involved. We respond to calls and letters for you, and we manage the flow of information so you are not pressured to give statements or sign documents without understanding what they mean. Throughout the process, we provide regular updates in straightforward language, and we are available to answer your questions as they come up.
Early in a wrongful death case, timing can make a real difference. We act quickly to gather key information, whether that involves preserving black box data after an 18-wheeler collision, securing a potentially defective product before it is lost, or requesting accident reports, training protocols, and other records from the appropriate parties. Our team advances the costs needed to investigate and develop the case, and you do not pay those costs back unless there is a successful verdict or settlement in your favor.
Understanding Mississippi's Wrongful Death Statute
A wrongful death claim is a civil case (as opposed to a criminal case) that arises when a person’s death is caused by the wrongful act, negligence, or fault of another person or entity. In practical terms, it is the legal path that allows certain family members (or a representative) to seek financial compensation after a preventable loss.
Wrongful death claims are often filed after events such as:
- Car, motorcycle, and other vehicle accidents
- Collisions involving big rigs, semi-trucks, or 18-wheelers
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Fatal offshore incidents
- Deaths resulting from unsafe property conditions
- Medical negligence or malpractice
- Fatalities resulting from defective products
Mississippi law identifies who may bring a wrongful death claim. This includes specific family members—a surviving spouse, child, parent, or sibling—or a representative of the deceased's estate. If damages are awarded, they will be distributed among all eligible beneficiaries, not just the person who filed the lawsuit.
It's important to note that there's a deadline for filing a wrongful death lawsuit in Mississippi. In most cases, you have three years to seek damages after the wrongful death of a family member. In cases involving medical malpractice, you typically have just two years and, with intentional torts (such as assault or battery), you only have one year to sue for damages. There are certain exceptions, but in general, the sooner you act the better. When you're grieving, you shouldn't also have to worry about seeking justice on your own. We encourage you to reach out to our Jackson wrongful death lawyer right away to learn how we can help your family during this immensely difficult time.
Damages in Mississippi Wrongful Death Cases
When it comes to wrongful death cases, there is no way to ever be truly “compensated” for the loss your family has endured. Yet, these tragedies often come with various unexpected financial challenges, from medical bills associated with treating the deceased's fatal injuries to the costs of the memorial service. Some damages don't show up on a bill. The loss of love, support, and companionship someone experiences when a spouse, parent, child, or sibling dies cannot be overstated. Those responsible for such losses must be held responsible.
Compensation in a wrongful death case cannot bring a loved one back, but it can help ease the financial strain created by the loss. Depending on the facts of the case, recoverable damages may include:
- Final medical expenses
- Funeral and/or burial costs
- Lost income and benefits the deceased would have provided
- The loss of companionship and guidance for surviving family members
- Pain and suffering the deceased experienced before dying
Regardless of who files the wrongful death lawsuit, damages are generally divided among the eligible beneficiaries. The way damages are divided depends on the category under which they fall, a beneficiary's relationship to the deceased, and other factors. Some damages serve as reimbursement to the estate, whereas others are distributed to specific individuals. An experienced wrongful death attorney in Jackson can clearly explain how this works and provide more detailed information specific to your case.
How We Investigate Wrongful Death Claims
When our firm takes on a wrongful death case, we treat it as a detailed investigation into what really happened and why. Families often know that something went terribly wrong, but they may not have access to the records and technical information needed to prove it. We work to uncover that information so your loved one’s story can be told.
Gathering Critical Evidence
Every case relies on strong evidence, and that's the goal of our investigations—to uncover the evidence needed to prove your case. Our investigative work can involve visiting crash scenes, examining vehicles, tracking down witnesses, and securing photographs or video footage. In cases involving commercial vehicle collisions, we move quickly to obtain electronic data, driver logs, maintenance records, and company safety policies. In incidents involving defective products or unsafe equipment, we work to preserve the item in question and review its design and manufacturing information so it can be evaluated by qualified experts.
Documenting The Full Impact On Your Family
We also spend significant time documenting the impact of the loss on your family. This can include gathering employment records, benefit information, and other financial documentation, as well as learning about your loved one’s role in your home and community. We consult, when appropriate, with medical professionals, economists, and other specialists who help us explain both the cause of death and the extent of the financial and personal harm.
Attorney Mark Sledge’s time on the bench informs how we shape this evidence. Having overseen complex cases, he understands what judges look for in motions and what facts tend to resonate with juries. We draw on that insight when deciding which experts to involve, how to organize records, and how to present the case in negotiations or at trial.
What To Expect From The Legal Process
Families often have questions about what a wrongful death case may achieve and how the process will feel. It is important to recognize that no attorney can promise a particular result because outcomes depend on many factors, including the strength of the evidence, the defendants involved, and how a judge or jury views the case. That said, understanding the types of compensation that may be available and the general process can make filing a claim less intimidating.
Stages Of A Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The legal process typically begins with an investigation and careful review of the facts. When we have gathered enough information, we prepare and file a lawsuit in a court that has authority over your case. The case then enters a stage where both sides exchange information and take sworn testimony, a process called discovery. During or after discovery, there may be opportunities for settlement negotiations or mediation. If the case does not resolve, it may proceed to trial, where a judge or jury hears the evidence and reaches a decision.
Throughout each stage, we evaluate any settlement offers in light of our courtroom experience and our understanding of how similar cases have been resolved. Our role is to explain the risks and potential benefits of settlement versus trial, so you can make informed decisions. We handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, and we advance the costs required to develop the claim. You do not owe attorney fees unless there is a recovery, and case costs are typically repaid from that recovery as well. We review the fee arrangement with you carefully at the outset, so you know exactly what to expect.
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$44,500,000 Offshore Oil Rig Injury
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$10,000,000 Accident on Drilling Ship
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$8,000,000 18-Wheeler Accident
Talk With Our Wrongful Death Lawyer About Your Family’s Options
Reaching out to a lawyer after losing someone you love can feel overwhelming, especially when you are already facing so many decisions. Our role is to make the legal side of this process more manageable. When you contact T. Mark Sledge, Attorney at Law, you will speak with a team that deeply understands Mississippi's wrongful death law and is committed to guiding families in and around Jackson through difficult cases with care, compassion, and personal attention.
Your initial consultation is free, and there is no obligation to move forward if you decide not to. If we take your case, we handle it on a contingency fee basis and advance the costs needed to investigate and pursue your claim, so you do not pay attorney fees unless there is a recovery. During that first conversation, we listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain possible paths toward justice without rushing or pressuring you.
To talk with a wrongful death lawyer Jackson families turn to for experienced and compassionate guidance, call (601) 768-2165 or contact us online today.
