A wrongful death engagement moves through 5 steps, from the conflict check to testimony. Each step ends in something counsel can review, and the typical timeline shows how long each phase runs.
Engagement process
Retention and conflict check: We confirm conflicts, identify the survivors and the damages framework that applies in the venue, establish the retainer, and set the report deadline.
Records and data request: We request the decedent's tax returns, wage and benefit records, employment history, and household information, including the composition of the household and the services the decedent provided.
Analysis and modeling: We project the decedent's but-for earnings and benefits over the expected worklife, deduct personal consumption where the framework requires it, value lost household services, and discount each survivor's loss to present value.
Draft report and counsel review: We deliver a draft with every assumption and source stated, organized by loss component and survivor, and review it with counsel before finalizing.
Final report and testimony support: We issue the final report and provide deposition and trial testimony, rebuttal of opposing opinions, and supplemental calculations if the framework or the record changes.