San Diego Wrongful Death Lawyer

Nothing can bring your loved one back, but getting the compensation you deserve after someone else’s negligent actions took your loved one from you can bring you some justice. To hold those responsible for your loved one’s death accountable, contact a San Diego wrongful death attorney.

If an accident has taken the life of your loved one, you know the pain is immeasurable. And that pain is magnified if the fatal accident was the result of someone else’s negligent actions.

Fortunately, California law allows the relatives of victims who die because of negligence to seek compensation for their suffering and losses through wrongful death claims. The compensation you could win isn’t likely to ease your emotional suffering, but it can at the very least ease the financial burdens of funeral and burial costs and losing a household income.

At The Kindley Firm, APC, we know how important it is to pursue justice after a loved one dies wrongfully. A San Diego wrongful death lawyer with our firm can help you build your case and obtain a favorable outcome.

Wrongful Death Case Types

Almost any kind of fatal accident can spur a wrongful death case. For your claim to be viable, someone else’s negligent actions must have contributed to the death of your loved one.

Your San Diego wrongful death attorney will review the evidence of your case to help you determine the cause of your loved one’s fatal accident and who to hold responsible.

The following are some common types of accidents that can lead to wrongful death claims:

• Vehicle Accidents – If the driver of a car, motorcycle, truck, or other vehicle acted negligently, and that action contributed to your loved one’s death, you might have a viable wrongful death claim.
• Workplace Accidents – Under certain circumstances, workplace accidents, such as those common to the construction industry, can qualify for wrongful death cases.
• Defective Product Accidents – If a defective product, such as a malfunctioning car part or exploding electronic device, took the life of your loved one, you might have this type of wrongful death claim.
• Premises Liability Accidents – When a property owner fails to maintain safety standards on his or her property, he or she can be held liable for resulting injuries and deaths.

Who Can Sue for Wrongful Death in California?

In California, certain individuals related to the deceased can file a wrongful death suit, depending on the circumstances of the individual case. These include the following:

• The deceased individual’s surviving spouse or domestic partner
• Any children of the deceased individual
• Any relative, including siblings and parents, who could inherit the deceased individual’s assets
• Stepchildren (under certain circumstances)

Minors who lived with the deceased individual for at least 180 days prior to the death and received at least half of their financial support from the individual, as well as the executor of the individual’s estate, can also recover damages in a San Diego wrongful death lawsuit. Multiple family members can join the same civil suit.

It’s also important to remember that the statute of limitations for a wrongful death suit in California is two years, meaning that you must file your claim within that time period after the death of your loved one.

Wrongful Death Compensation

Similar to personal injury claims, wrongful death claims can award economic and non-economic damages. Some damages commonly awarded in wrongful death cases include the following:

• The lost income and wage-earning potential of the deceased individual, extending out to a reasonable point in the future
• Funeral, burial, and cremation costs
• Medical expenses incurred prior to the loved one’s passing
• Lost ability to complete chores and household services due to the individual’s death
• Pain and suffering of the victim and the victim’s loved ones
• Lost companionship

A San Diego wrongful death attorney can help you determine how much compensation you stand to recover.

Contact a San Diego Wrongful Death Lawyer

If you have lost a close relative because of someone else’s wrongful, careless, or negligent actions, there is no recourse that can heal the emotional wounds you’ve suffered. However, you can pursue compensation to reduce your stress and obtain a measure of justice in this difficult time.

Pursuing compensation in a wrongful death suit is an important step after the loss of your loved one, but it won’t come easily. That’s why it’s important to have The Kindley Firm, APC, by your side.

To speak with a San Diego wrongful death lawyer, give us a call at 619-550-1313. You may also reach out via our online contact form, which you will find at the bottom of this page.