Toms River Wrongful Death Attorney With Board Certification Guiding Grieving Families
Last updated on August 14, 2026
We at R.C. Shea & Associates, Counsellors at Law, are wrongful death attorneys, helping families and victims of tragic accidents in Toms River, Brick Township, Lacey Township and surrounding areas in Ocean County. We strive to hold liable parties accountable for their negligence and find ways to secure your compensation.
Since 1979, our team has made its mark by offering legal counsel to grieving families. Attorney Michael J. Deem, Esq., handles wrongful death claims and is certified by both the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Lawyer and the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Civil Trial Law. As a certified civil trial attorney, he has the prowess to tackle complex cases. Whether you are facing a difficult at-fault party or an aggressive entity, our Toms River wrongful death attorney aims to protect your right to seek compensation for your losses.
Let us help you navigate this difficult time with reliable guidance. Call us at 732-573-6370 or send us an email to set a free consultation.
Meet Our Toms River Wrongful Death Attorney
Besides his dual board certification, Michael Deem’s credentials provide an unreplicable absolute local advantage for your claim:
- Insurance defense background: Attorney Deem was an insurance defense attorney. His experience defending insurance companies made him knowledgeable about the tactics that adjusters use to minimize a claim. Now that he represents injured individuals and their families, he anticipates the adversary’s strategies and dismantles their defenses before they even present them.
- Consistent Super Lawyers recognition: Since 2014, the Super Lawyers magazine has recognized our wrongful death lawyer as a Top Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Lawyer. This exhibits his skill in handling clients and representing them in trials.
- Relentless in court: Our Toms River wrongful death attorney cross-examines whoever stands as a witness to testify against his clients. Even if complexities arise, he will not back down and continue to represent your interests.
- High-profile experience: Attorney Deem can anticipate their strategies and dismantle their defenses before they even present them. This serves as proof of his elite negotiation skills to take on major entities.
- Published attorney: Michael J. Deem, Esq., has published works with West Publishing and Micromedia Publications since 1996. His topics offer helpful insights on consumer rights and personal injury.
- Verified judicial and appellate authority: Attorney Deem began his career as a judicial law clerk to the Hon. Martin Kravarik in Middlesex County. He authored the trial court opinion for National Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pitt. v. Transportation Ins. Co., which the New Jersey Appellate Division later formally affirmed and published at 336 N.J. Super 437 (App. Div. 2001). His contributions affirm his commitment to helping those in need.
- Seminar leadership: Attorney Deem has held seminars for the New Jersey Association for Justice and the New Jersey Bar Association. He discussed complex subjects like Wrongful Death, Jury Voir Dire and Medical Ethics. This experience positions him as a reliable source of information for legal topics.
As your Toms River wrongful death attorney, expect Michael J. Deem, Esq., to be a reliable counsel.
Using A Back Door Approach In Handling Wrongful Death Trials
Wrongful death cases require the highest level of care. Our Toms River wrongful death attorney approaches trial preparation and depositions with these strategies:
- Thinking outside the box: Attorney Deem spends immense time reviewing past defense transcripts to prepare unique lines of questioning for the insurance company’s expert witnesses. Approaching the case from unexpected angles can assist in uncovering critical admissions that often encourage insurance companies to offer a fair settlement.
- Preparing from day one: After your first meeting with attorney Deem, he starts preparing by researching similar cases. He creates strategies that his adversary will never see coming.
Attorney Deem’s reliability is not only defined by his dedication to his clients. Earning certifications from the Supreme Court of New Jersey and the National Board of Trial Advocacy proves his tenacity in helping grieving families.
“While other firms walk through the front door, we walk through the back”
What Is A Wrongful Death Claim?
A wrongful death suit is a legal claim for compensation after a fatal accident. In New Jersey, the claim has two parts: a survival action and a wrongful death action.
- Survival action: The deceased’s estate has a claim for damages incurred before death.
- Wrongful death action: Surviving family members can pursue compensation for their economic losses.
Attorney Michael J. Deem, Esq., handles your case from consultation to conclusion. He does not pass cases to junior associates or a large firm hierarchy. He wants you to have peace of mind knowing that you receive his full attention. We treat your family with the dignity, responsiveness, and continuous legal authority you need during life’s hardest moments.
Your Right To Compensation
If you have lost a loved one in a fatal accident, our Toms River wrongful death attorney may help you recover compensation for the following:
- The deceased’s lost lifetime earnings
- Loss of benefits
- Funeral expenses
- Hospital bills incurred after the death
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of love and emotional support
The deceased’s estate can recover the following:
- Medical bills incurred before death
- Lost wages from the time of the injury up until death
- Pain and suffering felt by the deceased
Any compensation received by the estate will be distributed according to the deceased’s estate plan or New Jersey intestacy laws.
In some cases, the court may award punitive damages. Punitive damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer for his or her bad acts and are only awarded when the other party’s conduct was grossly negligent, reckless or intentional.
Why You Can’t Recover Compensation For Emotional Grief
Losing a loved one can be heartbreaking, and it leaves you with intense grief. Unfortunately, New Jersey law prohibits recovering financial compensation for sadness, mental distress or emotional suffering. This is because grief can be unpredictable, making it difficult to assign a value. To avoid inconsistent payouts based purely on emotional appeals, the law strictly sticks to compensating financial injuries.
Discovering that you cannot gain a monetary award for grief can be disappointing. We want to reassure you that it is still possible to recover compensation for the loss of financial support, future earnings, household services and guidance the deceased would have provided. Our Toms River wrongful death attorney can use their connections to help calculate the value of your claim.
How We Can Help
Our lawyers have more than three decades of experience handling injury claims. We handle wrongful death claims with compassion and dedication.
Our attorneys begin each case with a thorough investigation into the accident. We gather all of the facts and evidence and identify all responsible parties. We often work with outside experts – such as forensic accountants, economists and medical professionals – to establish monetary losses.
Put our experience to work for your family.
Learn More About Your Rights With A Toms River Wrongful Death Attorney
If you have lost a loved one in a fatal accident, you may have a wrongful death claim. Contact our firm to learn more about your rights. Call our office at 732-573-6370. Consultations are free. We will not charge you until we obtain compensation for your loss.