Grand Rapids Wrongful Death Lawyers for Michigan Families
Table of Contents
Grand Rapids Wrongful Death Lawyers for Michigan Families
Table of Contents
One moment, your family’s life feels steady. The next, you are grieving a loss that never should have happened. When a loved one dies because of another person’s carelessness, the emotional pain can be overwhelming, and the financial pressure from medical bills, funeral costs, and lost income can make everything feel even heavier.
Insurance companies may contact your family before you have had time to understand your rights under Michigan wrongful death law. Evidence such as medical records, witness statements, scene documentation, and electronic communications can also become harder to gather as time passes. Taking prompt action can help protect your family’s ability to pursue the compensation Michigan law allows.
At Matz Injury Law, we help Grand Rapids families move through the legal process with clarity, compassion, and respect. Our wrongful death attorneys handle cases involving car accidents, truck accidents, unsafe property conditions, and other acts of negligence, dealing directly with the insurance companies so you can focus on your family.
Why You Need a Grand Rapids Wrongful Death Lawyer
The death of a loved one because of someone else’s negligence can leave your family facing grief, unanswered questions, and financial strain that lasts for years. Under the Michigan Wrongful Death Act, a civil claim may be available when your loved one would have had the right to file a personal injury lawsuit if they had survived. However, these cases must follow specific legal requirements, including statutory deadlines, probate procedures, and rules for proving fault and damages.
A Grand Rapids wrongful death lawyer can help your family understand what Michigan law allows, identify the party or parties responsible, and gather the evidence needed to support your claim. These cases may involve insurance companies, medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and court filings, all while your family is trying to process a devastating loss.
At Matz Injury Law, we represent families across Michigan with care, clarity, and a focus on accountability. Our legal team works to protect the rights of surviving family members and pursue the compensation permitted under state law, so your family does not have to handle the legal process alone.
Why Families Across Grand Rapids Choose Matz Injury Law
Choosing a law firm after losing someone you love is a deeply personal decision. Your family deserves attorneys who will listen with compassion, explain your legal options in a way that feels clear, and prepare a case grounded in strong evidence. At Matz Injury Law, we take the time to understand your family’s needs and keep you informed throughout the process.
Since 1976, we have represented Michigan families in personal injury and wrongful death cases. Steven holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and was inducted into the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame.
Our attorneys have recovered more than $300 million for Michigan clients, and we travel across all 83 Michigan counties.
Our Michigan Wrongful Death Case Results
Our team has pursued wrongful death claims across Michigan for more than four decades. Recent case results include:
- $4.15 million settlement for the family of a college student killed in a motorcycle crash
- $3.45 million commercial vehicle settlement for a family who lost loved ones to an inattentive cement truck driver
- $2.35 million settlement for the family of a Michigan motorcyclist killed in a failure-to-yield crash
Past results are not predictive of future outcomes, and every wrongful death case turns on its own facts.
Our 22% Contingency Fee Lets Your Family Keep More of Your Recovery
A lawyer’s fee should not add to the pile of bills your family is already facing. A contingency fee means you pay nothing up front, and if we do not recover for your family, you pay nothing at all.
Michigan court rules permit attorneys to take up to 33 1/3% of a wrongful death recovery. We charge 22%. On a $1 million recovery, that 11 1/3 point gap is over $110,000 your family keeps for funeral costs, medical bills, and the years of support your loved one would have provided.
Meet Our Grand Rapids Wrongful Death Lawyers
Our Client Testimonials
“My parents were involved in a fatal car accident, where we needed guidance dealing with the insurance company. A month after the accident the insurance agency had stopped addressing our calls and emails. Retaining Steve Matz and his team was the absolute best decision we made for my mom. He was professional from start to finish and we had a settlement quickly. Steve answered all of our calls and emails, and assured us that he would take care of our family during this time. If you are questioning whether seeking guidance is needed, don’t hesitate and reach out. Steve was very open about what he could do for our case, and how retaining his services could impact our timeline. We felt as though we were talking to a friend, not an attorney, whom checked on us often. Thank you for all you have done for our family, especially my mom during this time. Your service and compassion deserves more than 5 stars!” – Sarah M.
“Losing my little sister to a tragic motorcycle accident was honestly the worst emotional trauma I’ve experienced in my entire life. My heart was shattered and I was totally overwhelmed with all of the details of planning her funeral and handling her affairs. I was beyond thankful when I received a letter in the mail form Steven Matz. It was such a godsend when I called him, he immediately calmed my thoughts and helped me focus on what actually happened and all the details of insurances, ect. He immediately took over and was always available through text, phone calls or zoom meetings. I was amazed at how quickly he settled my sister’s wrongful death claim. Thank you so much and I totally recommend Steve Matz !” – Tawny P.
What Michigan Law Considers a Wrongful Death
Many families ask whether their loved one’s death counts as a wrongful death under Michigan law. The Michigan Wrongful Death Act covers any death caused by another person’s wrongful act, neglect, or fault. In plain terms, if your loved one could have sued for personal injury had they survived, then their estate can now file a wrongful death claim.
In Grand Rapids, the same definition covers many fatal motor vehicle crashes on US 131, I-96, and the surface streets of Kent County, including cases where the at-fault driver was distracted, drunk, speeding, or running a red light. It also covers fatal injuries from commercial trucking negligence, dangerous road conditions, and defective vehicle components that turn a survivable collision into a fatal one.
Common Causes of Fatal Accidents in the Grand Rapids Area
Fatal crashes in Kent County tend to cluster around a handful of recurring patterns. The categories that lead to wrongful death claims in Grand Rapids include:
- Fatal car crashes at high-volume intersections
- Fatal semi-truck collisions on US 131 and I-96
- Fatal motorcycle crashes on rural county roads
- Fatal pedestrian strikes in downtown Grand Rapids crosswalks
The US 131 interchange at Wealthy Street in Grand Rapids has consistently appeared among the county’s higher-crash locations. Each of these patterns can support a wrongful death claim when another driver’s negligence, a trucking company’s failure, or a defective road condition caused the fatality.
Damages You May Recover in a Grand Rapids Wrongful Death Case
Under Michigan law, damages in a wrongful death case may include:
- Medical expenses related to the final injury
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support the deceased would have provided
- Loss of companionship, society, and guidance
- Conscious pain and suffering experienced by the deceased before death
The amount recovered depends on the specific facts, available evidence, and how the loss has affected surviving family members. We work to document both financial losses and the personal impact of the death so the full scope of harm is presented.
Who Can Receive Compensation in a Michigan Wrongful Death Case
A loss like this reaches across a family, not just the household where your loved one lived. Under MCL 600.2922(3), Michigan law recognizes statutory beneficiaries that include:
- The deceased’s spouse
- Children
- Descendants
- Parents
- Grandparents
- Siblings
- Children of the deceased’s spouse
- Anyone named as a devisee in the deceased’s will
The personal representative files the claim on behalf of the estate, but the recovery is not theirs to keep. The Kent County Probate Court reviews and approves the final distribution of proceeds among the statutory beneficiaries, based on each beneficiary’s relationship and financial dependence on the deceased.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim in Grand Rapids
A wrongful death case in Grand Rapids moves through two Kent County courts. The Kent County Probate Court appoints the personal representative, and the Kent County Circuit Court (the 17th Judicial Circuit) hears the wrongful death lawsuit. Before either court becomes relevant, families face two hurdles: the probate appointment and the Michigan filing deadline.
Appointing a Personal Representative
Michigan law requires a court-appointed personal representative, usually a spouse, adult child, or parent, to bring the wrongful death claim on behalf of the estate and the statutory beneficiaries. For Grand Rapids families, that appointment happens at the Kent County Probate Court. The personal representative must notify eligible family members within 30 days of filing suit.
The Three-Year Filing Deadline
Under Michigan law, families have three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. A missed deadline typically bars the claim entirely. A narrow two-year saving provision may apply in cases where the court appoints a personal representative late, but families in Grand Rapids should not count on that extension to rescue a missed deadline.
What to Expect From Your Grand Rapids Wrongful Death Case
A wrongful death case can feel like a maze of steps when you are grieving. A Grand Rapids wrongful death case typically follows this sequence:
- Initial free consultation, usually at your home or a Grand Rapids location you choose
- Petition to the Kent County Probate Court for personal representative appointment
- Evidence gathering, including crash reports, medical records, employer records, and witness statements
- Claim presentation to the at-fault driver’s insurer
- Settlement negotiation or filing suit in Kent County Circuit Court
- Probate court approval of any final settlement distribution
Many Michigan wrongful death claims settle before reaching a courtroom, yet we prepare every case as if it will.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wrongful Death Claims in Grand Rapids
What Is the Difference Between a Wrongful Death Claim and a Criminal Case?
Criminal cases belong to the state and focus on punishment. Wrongful death claims are civil cases that the estate files to recover money for the family. Both can come out of the same incident, and an acquittal in the criminal case does not block the Michigan wrongful death claim.
Does Michigan Allow Punitive Damages in Wrongful Death Cases?
No. Michigan does not allow punitive damages, but exemplary damages may be available in limited circumstances, usually in cases involving drunk drivers with a history of impaired driving. We can review the facts and tell you whether your case may support an exemplary damages claim.
Can I File a Wrongful Death Claim If the At-Fault Driver Was Uninsured or Underinsured?
Yes. If the at-fault driver had no insurance or too little coverage, your loved one’s own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may apply. We review every auto policy in the household, not just the deceased’s, during your free consultation.
Are Wrongful Death Settlements Taxable in Michigan?
Generally, no. Wrongful death settlements that compensate for physical injury, including loss of companionship and medical bills, are not taxable under federal or Michigan law. Interest earned on the settlement and certain punitive-style components can be taxable, so your attorney can structure the settlement for tax efficiency.
What Happens If My Loved One Was Partially at Fault for the Fatal Crash?
Michigan follows a modified comparative fault rule. If your loved one was 50% or less at fault, your family can still recover, though the deceased’s share reduces the recovery proportionally.
Talk to a Grand Rapids Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
The legal side of a fatal crash should not fall on your family alone. One call is enough to start.
Call Matz Injury Law at 866-226-6833 or reach us through our online contact form for a free, no-obligation consultation. We travel to Grand Rapids, so your family does not have to drive to Southfield, and when there is a recovery, our 22% contingency fee keeps more of it in your family’s hands.
Written By Steven Matz
Steven J. Matz is the founder of Matz Injury Law, specializing in personal injury litigation with a focus on car accident victims. With over 40 years of legal experience, Mr. Matz has achieved numerous million-dollar settlements. He holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized among Michigan’s Top Attorneys. Steven J. Matz is a frequent lecturer on legal ethics and personal injury law, and serves on the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board.
