When you lose someone close to you, the world seems to stop, but the bills, calls from insurance companies, and legal questions don’t. At Meshbesher & Spence, we understand that no amount of money replaces your loved one. However, making sure your family is taken care of is a vital step toward finding a path forward and a way to honor your loved one and protect the people they left behind.

Since 1961, our firm has stood by Minneapolis families, and we treat our clients for what they truly are: like neighbors. Whether the loss happened on a busy stretch of I-94 or due to a medical error in a local hospital, we are here to take over your case so you can focus on what life looks like for you going forward. The lawyer you choose makes a difference, and we have spent over 60 years proving that.

If you need a steady hand to guide you, call (612) 339-9121 today or fill out our quick online form to schedule a free, private conversation where you can learn more about how a Minneapolis wrongful death lawyer will stand beside you.

“Thank you so much to attorney Lindsey A. Carpenter! I am truly thankful for her hard work and resolution of our mother’s wrongful death case! I appreciate her expertise, compassion, and friendliness! I am grateful for all that she did for my siblings and me, and I highly recommend her services to anyone in need of a dedicated attorney!”

– Kathy P. | Client

Understanding Wrongful Death in Minneapolis

When we talk about a “wrongful death,” we are talking about a life taken because of someone else’s carelessness. In legal terms, if the person who passed away would have had grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit had they lived, their surviving family likely has a wrongful death claim.

It does not always mean someone meant to cause harm. In many cases, it comes down to negligence. That simply means a person did not use the level of care a reasonable person would have used in the same situation.

Some common examples include:

A driver looking at their phone instead of the road
A property owner who ignores a dangerous stairwell or broken handrail
A doctor who does not follow accepted medical procedures
A company that sells a product it knows is unsafe

In a city like Minneapolis, these tragedies happen more often than they should. Our streets, workplaces, and healthcare facilities are usually safe, but when safety rules are ignored, the results are permanent.

What a Minneapolis Wrongful Death Lawyer Actually Does for a Family

When a loved one dies because someone else acted carelessly, families are often left with questions that do not have easy answers. What really happened? Who is responsible? What should we do next?

At the same time, insurance companies and defense lawyers often begin building their case right away.

Working with a Minneapolis wrongful death lawyer allows your family to focus on each other while an experienced legal team focuses on the facts, the evidence, and the accountability your loved one deserves. We help in several ways, including:

Uncovering What Really Happened: Serious accidents are rarely as simple as they first appear. Our team works with investigators, accident reconstruction specialists, and medical experts to understand exactly what led to the loss.
Managing the Legal Process From Start to Finish: Minnesota wrongful death cases involve court filings, trustee appointments, strict deadlines, and detailed legal procedures. We handle every step of that process so your family does not have to navigate it alone.
Dealing Directly With Insurance Companies: We handle all communication with insurers and defense lawyers so your family is not pressured into decisions too soon.
Helping the Court Understand the Life That Was Lost: A wrongful death case is about telling the story of a person who mattered deeply to the people around them. We work closely with families to help the court understand the real impact of that loss.

Settlements Our Minneapolis Wrongful Death Lawyers Have Won

This approach has led to meaningful results for families across Minnesota, such as:

In 2025, attorneys Derek Stewart and Pam Spaulding secured an $800,000 jury verdict for the family of a man who was struck and killed while trying to rescue his dog. For years, the victim had been blamed for his own death by law enforcement, the driver involved, and even his own insurance company.
In another heartbreaking case, attorneys Andrew Davick and Josh Tuchscherer secured a $2.25 million settlement for the father of a six-year-old. The lawsuit alleged that county officials failed to act on repeated warnings about the child’s safety.

If you would like to talk with our team about what happened to your family, Meshbesher & Spence offers 100% free case evaluations at (612) 339-9121 or by filling out our online form. Sometimes the first step is simply having someone listen and explain what options may be available.

Don’t Accept Insurance Settlements Right Away

Shortly after a loss, an insurance company might reach out with a check. It might look like a large amount of money, and it is tempting to take it just to have one less thing to worry about.

Please wait. Insurance companies often offer “quick” settlements because they want you to sign away your rights before you realize the true lifetime cost of your loss. Once you sign, you can never ask for more. A Minneapolis wrongful death attorney can review these offers to make sure they actually cover your family’s future needs down the line and reflect everything you’ve suffered and lost, not just your current bills.

How the Law Accounts for What Your Family Lost

When a family brings a wrongful death claim, the law tries to recognize the many ways a loss changes everyday life. Some of those losses are financial. Others are deeply personal and impossible to measure on a spreadsheet.

Minnesota law allows families to seek compensation for both.

Financial losses often include the practical costs that come after a fatal injury and the income a family depended on, such as:

Medical bills related to the final injury or illness
Funeral and burial expenses
Lost wages the person would have earned over time
Loss of future benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions
The value of services the person provided at home, such as childcare, home maintenance, or caregiving

Personal losses reflect the human side of what was taken from a family. These can include:

Loss of companionship for a spouse or partner
Loss of guidance and mentorship for children
Loss of care, advice, and emotional support
Loss of the everyday presence that held a family together

No legal case can place a true value on a person’s life. What the law can do is recognize the full impact of that loss and help provide stability for the people who must move forward without them.

Families often wonder if hiring an attorney really makes a difference. Data shows that it does. According to a study by Martindale-Nolo, people who work with a personal injury lawyer are far more likely to receive compensation than those who try to handle a claim on their own. In fact, more than nine out of ten families with legal representation received a settlement or award, compared to roughly half of those without a lawyer.

The Types of Cases Minneapolis Wrongful Death Attorneys Often Handle

Our Minneapolis wrongful death lawyers have seen almost every type of scenario imaginable. While the details change, the need for accountability stays the same. We regularly help families involving:

Vehicle Collisions: This includes cars, commercial trucks, and motorcycles. Because of the size difference, truck accidents are particularly deadly on Minnesota roads.
Pedestrian and Bike Accidents: Minneapolis is a very walkable city, but intersections can become deadly when drivers fail to yield.
Medical Errors: This includes surgical mistakes, misdiagnosis, or birth injuries that lead to a tragic loss.
Defective Products: From failing car parts to dangerous medications, manufacturers must be held responsible for what they put on the market.
Workplace Accidents: Construction sites and warehouses are high-risk areas where safety shortcuts can be fatal.
Unsafe Property Conditions (Premises Liability): Fatal injuries can occur when hazards are ignored, such as broken stairways, poor lighting in parking lots, unsafe balconies, or inadequate security in areas where violent crime is foreseeable.

Traffic crashes in Minneapolis are a serious and growing concern. Between 2017 and 2021, roughly 150 people each year were killed or seriously injured in our city. In 2021, that number rose to 168, the highest since 2017. These tragedies are often preventable, highlighting the importance of accountability when negligence leads to loss.

How Much Time Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Minneapolis?

In most cases, a wrongful death lawsuit in Minneapolis must be filed within three years of the date of your loved one’s death. There’s also a “six-year rule” that can apply in some situations, which looks at when the negligent act that caused the death occurred.

These rules can get complicated. For example, different deadlines may apply if the case involves medical malpractice, government entities or vehicles.

Because every case is different, it’s important to act quickly. Meshbesher & Spence can review the details of your situation and make sure your family doesn’t miss the filing window. Waiting too long can permanently close the door to legal recourse.

Am I Eligible to File a Minneapolis Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Minnesota handles wrongful death claims a little differently than many other states. Instead of each family member filing their own case, the court appoints one person to act on behalf of everyone affected by the loss.

This person is called a trustee, and they file the Minneapolis wrongful death lawsuit for the benefit of the surviving family members.

Here is how it generally works in Minnesota:

A trustee must be appointed by the court. Before a lawsuit can move forward, a judge appoints a trustee. This person represents the interests of the surviving spouse and next of kin.
The trustee is often a close family member. In many Minneapolis cases, the trustee is a spouse, adult child, parent, or another trusted relative of the person who passed away.
The claim is filed for the benefit of multiple family members. The trustee does not file the case only for themselves. They bring the claim on behalf of everyone who relied on or had a close relationship with the person who died.
Minnesota law recognizes several potential beneficiaries. Depending on the family structure, those who may benefit from the claim can include a surviving spouse, children of the deceased, parents, grandparents, and siblings or other next of kin.
The court oversees how any recovery is divided. If compensation is recovered, the court helps determine how it should be distributed among the family members. The goal is to ensure the outcome is fair and reflects each person’s relationship with the loved one who passed away.

Because Minnesota’s wrongful death laws have unique rules, many families are unsure where to begin or who should serve as the trustee. A quick conversation with our team can provide clear answers and help you understand what the process may look like for your family.

If you would like to talk through your situation, call (612) 339-9121 or fill out our private online form to request a free consultation. Our team is here to listen, explain your options, and help you decide what steps make sense moving forward.

A Legacy of Justice for Minneapolis Families

At Meshbesher & Spence, we’ve seen the skyline of Minneapolis change over the last 60 years, but our mission hasn’t shifted.

We know that “justice” is a big word that can feel empty when you are grieving. To us, justice means making sure your children can still go to college. It means making sure you aren’t buried in medical debt you didn’t cause. It means making sure the person who was careless thinks twice before putting another family in your shoes.

You have been through enough. We are here to fight for you with the same passion we would use for our own families.

When you are ready, we are here to help you take the first step toward closure and security. Contact Meshbesher & Spence today by calling (612) 339-9121 or filling out our online form for a free consultation.

Minneapolis Wrongful Death Lawsuit FAQs

• What influences how much my case is worth?

The value of a wrongful death claim depends on several factors. These can include the age of the person who passed, their occupation, past earnings, potential future earnings, life expectancy, overall health, personal habits, and the contributions they made to the family. The court also considers the type of relationship the deceased had with the survivors or trustee filing the claim.
• What if the other side claims my loved one was partially at fault?

Minnesota follows a comparative fault rule. This means that even if your loved one may have played a small part in what happened, the family can still pursue a claim as long as they were not more than 50% responsible. The total compensation may be adjusted to reflect the portion of responsibility.

For example, if a pedestrian crossed outside of a crosswalk and a driver ran a red light, the pedestrian’s share of fault might reduce the payout, but the driver would still be held responsible for the majority of the damages.
• How do we pay for a wrongful death attorney?

At Meshbesher & Spence, you don’t have to worry about upfront legal costs. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we cover the filing fees, expert costs, and other expenses while handling your case. You only pay us if we win or settle your claim, so our focus is fully on helping your family, not on charging you while you’re already dealing with a loss.
• How long could my case take?

Wrongful death cases can be complex, and every situation is different. Some cases settle in a few months through negotiation, while others may take a year or more if they go to trial. While these cases can take time, we make sure your family is never left in the dark. At Meshbesher & Spence, we keep you informed every step of the way and work as efficiently as possible without compromising the strength of your case.
• Do I have to go to court in Minneapolis?

Most wrongful death cases are resolved through negotiations without ever going to trial. But if a fair settlement isn’t offered, we are fully prepared to represent your family in court. We understand that recounting the accident or talking about your loved one in a courtroom can be incredibly difficult. If the case does go to court, we guide you through what to expect, explain each step, and make sure your voice is heard without adding to the emotional strain.
• How do I choose the right Minneapolis wrongful death lawyer?

Choosing the right lawyer can feel overwhelming, especially while your family is coping with a loss. Look for an attorney with local knowledge, someone who understands Minneapolis and Minnesota law, the local courts, and the judges who may handle your case. It’s important to work with a lawyer who has experience with wrongful death cases and a proven track record of securing meaningful outcomes for families.

Pay attention to reviews and past client experiences, which can give insight into how the attorney communicates, supports families, and handles cases with care. Avoid national hotlines or firms that aren’t familiar with local courts, as they may not fully understand the details that can make a difference in your case.

Minneapolis Wrongful Death Attorney

Get a Free Consultation!