What are the steps in a wrongful death claim?

First, pleadings are drafted. This includes assessing pecuniary (calculable) damages.

Once all parties involved are served with notice of the action, documentary and oral discoveries occur.

Facts critical to assessing the case are gathered. In certain jurisdictions mandatory mediation is set in advance of a pre-trial conference to settle issues.

If mediation is unsuccessful, usually a judge uses the pretrial conference to attempt to settle the case or at least create a trial management plan.

The case will then proceed to trial if necessary, either before a judge alone or a judge and jury.