Wrongful Death Attorney in Mississippi
Helping Families Seek Answers & Accountability. Serving Jackson, Ridgeland & All of Madison County.
Losing a loved one is devastating, no matter how or when it happens. But when that loss is caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, the healing process can be that much more difficult. Mississippi law allows certain family members to pursue a wrongful death claim when someone passes away due to the negligent, reckless, or unlawful conduct of another.
At T. Mark Sledge, Attorney at Law, we provide compassionate, strategic representation to families facing the unthinkable. With deep roots in this area and decades of trial experience, we stand ready to seek justice on your behalf. Our Mississippi-based law firm takes on wrongful death cases involving all types of incidents, including traffic collisions, workplace accidents, industrial disasters, offshore and maritime accidents, defective products, drownings, explosions, and more. No matter the circumstances, we are prepared to help you find answers and pursue accountability.
To discuss your case and learn how a Mississippi wrongful death attorney at T. Mark Sledge, Attorney at Law can help, call (601) 768-2165. Your consultation is free and confidential.
The Experience You Need
When you’re grappling with the loss of a loved one, the emotional and financial impacts can be overwhelming—especially if the tragedy was the result of another party’s wrongful actions or negligence. For families seeking a wrongful death lawyer in Ridgeland or anywhere in Madison County, working with an experienced team is crucial. These cases are not only emotionally fraught but also legally complex. Having the right legal counsel by your side can make all the difference, both in the simplicity of the process and the outcome of your claim.
At T. Mark Sledge, Attorney at Law, our team brings decades of experience handling wrongful death cases in Madison County and throughout Central Mississippi. We are here to provide clarity, explaining realistic pathways to accountability and compensation. We know that you likely have a lot of questions, and we believe you deserve answers. With experience as a former Circuit Judge in the Seventh Circuit Court District of Mississippi and decades in private practice, Mark Sledge knows how these cases work, and he knows how to guide you through the system so that you and your family can fight for the justice you deserve.
What Is Wrongful Death Under Mississippi Law?
Understanding the legal definition of wrongful death is essential for families seeking justice. In Mississippi, wrongful death occurs when someone is killed as a result of another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional act. Miss. Code Ann. § 11-7-13 governs wrongful death lawsuits, defining who can file and what compensation may be pursued. These claims are civil, not criminal, and aim to secure financial recovery for the losses surviving family members suffer.
As opposed to seeking legal penalties, as a criminal case would, wrongful death claims allow eligible survivors to pursue compensation when their family member dies because of another party's negligent, reckless, or intentional actions. The primary goal of a wrongful death lawyer in Mississippi is to hold accountable the parties whose conduct caused a preventable loss and ensure proper support is available for surviving family members.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Mississippi?
By law, only certain parties are allowed to file a wrongful death claim in Mississippi. The goal is to provide compensation to those most likely to be emotionally and financially impacted by the decedent's death.
In Mississippi, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit if the person who died was your:
- Spouse
- Child
- Parent
- Sibling
Additionally, the personal representative (sometimes known as the executor or administrator) of the decedent's estate may also file a claim. Only one wrongful death claim can be brought, but all eligible parties may take part in the claim.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Mississippi
Each community faces its own set of dangers, and Ridgeland is no exception. In Madison County, residents face everyday risks, from navigating congested commuter traffic on Highland Colony Parkway and at busy intersections, like the Natchez Trace and I-55 interchange, or ongoing developments near the Renaissance at Colony Park. Fatal crashes involving 18-wheelers on Interstate 55 and 20, as well as hazardous conditions at local construction and manufacturing sites are among the most common causes of wrongful death we see. While these incidents may seem unique, they often have one thing in common: negligence.
Our experience serving families throughout Mississippi, specifically as wrongful death attorneys in Ridgeland, allows us to identify and address the unique circumstances that can lead to fatal incidents. Whether a case involves a distracted driver, unsafe machinery in a workplace, or a maritime accident, we know which strategies and types of evidence will support a strong wrongful death lawsuit. Our team frequently works with accident reconstructionists, physicians, and other professionals to help pinpoint causes and identify every potential source of liability.
Common causes of fatal incidents in Madison County and across Mississippi include:
- Motor vehicle accidents, including car, truck, and motorcycle crashes, often caused by distracted, impaired, or reckless drivers
- Workplace accidents, including industrial disasters, such as explosions, falls, and machine- or equipment-related incidents
- Defective and dangerous products, including faulty drugs and medical devices, unsafe machinery, and defective personal protective equipment
- Unsafe premises, including dangerous swimming pools leading to drownings, faulty electrical wiring leading to fires, and negligent security
- Oil and gas industry accidents, such as explosions, fires, and machinery accidents on offshore oil rigs and oilfield disasters
- Maritime accidents, such as man-overboard incidents, unseaworthy vessels, ship collisions, and other accidents at sea or in ports and harbors
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Mississippi?
The statute of limitations is the amount of time you have to file a civil lawsuit, such as a personal injury or wrongful death claim. In most cases involving negligence, wrongful death lawsuits must be brought within three years of the decedent’s passing; for deaths resulting from intentional acts, the time period is generally one year. Failing to act within the appropriate timeframe could permanently prevent recovery, regardless of how strong your case might be. This is why it is so important to speak with a wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible.
The Ridgeland wrongful death attorney at T. Mark Sledge, Attorney at Law helps clients understand and meet all applicable filing deadlines. Our team works closely with local agencies, such as the Ridgeland Police Department and regional hospitals, like Merit Health River Oaks in Flowood, and St. Dominic's and the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), both in Jackson, to secure documentation and initiate investigations on your behalf. Protecting your right to pursue wrongful death damages often depends on timing—an early consultation with our team enables us to launch an investigation, preserve critical evidence, and smoothly navigate the procedural requirements in the Madison County court system.
Committed to COmpassionate Representation
When you choose Mark Sledge as your wrongful death attorney in Ridgeland, you gain an advocate who is also a former Circuit Judge with decades of real courtroom experience. Mark's background allows our team to anticipate defense strategies and juror perspectives, often providing a unique edge that sets us apart when it comes to representing clients in Ridgeland, Madison County, and throughout Mississippi.
What's more, we treat every wrongful death claim as if it were our own family on the line—responding promptly to client calls, giving regular case updates, and delivering personalized attention from start to finish. Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis and advances all legal costs, so families never pay out-of-pocket fees unless we secure compensation.
Our firm has built a solid reputation and courtroom credibility through successful, high-value verdicts and settlements and because we provide our clients with the compassion they need during this unimaginably difficult time. With deep roots in this area, proven results, and a commitment to treating every client with dignity, T. Mark Sledge, Attorney at Law is the law firm families trust.
Justice Begins with a Call: (601) 768-2165
At T. Mark Sledge, Attorney at Law, we treat every wrongful death case with the care and gravity it deserves. We understand what’s at stake for families, and we’re committed to helping you seek closure and justice. Our dedicated wrongful death attorneys make a difference for families in Ridgeland, Madison County, and across Mississippi by upholding high standards of advocacy and personalized service.
Call our Mississippi wrongful death attorney today at (601) 768-2165 for a confidential consultation. We’re here when you need us most.
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