When negligent or intentionally violent actions bring about the loss of your family member, you have the right to file a lawsuit under California law.
Scroll to learn more about the way wrongful death lawsuits work in California and how you can schedule a free consultation with a personal injury attorney near you.
Understanding Wrongful Death Lawsuits in California
In California, as in other states around the country, a wrongful death claim can be brought by the family of the deceased when the death was the result of negligent, careless, or intentional acts.
Specifically, when another party is deemed to be at fault, the family of the decedent may be eligible to recover compensation in the form of economic and non-economic damages related to the death of their loved one.
Some common examples of contributing factors in wrongful death cases include:
- Car accidents
- Bus accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Work accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Intentional acts, including assault, or even police brutality
Unlike certain criminal charges that a defendant can face for their role in your loved one’s passing, lawsuits deal exclusively with the question of civil liability. As a result, the punishment for being found responsible for your loved one’s loss would not be jail time from a lawsuit, but rather, compensation payments in the form of damages.
Some examples of people who can file a wrongful death claim in California include:
- The surviving spouse or partner of the deceased
- Their children
- Grandchildren, when the deceased’s children are also deceased
In other instances, claims can even be brought by other family members who might have an interest in the estate or who might be entitled to the deceased’s property.
Some of the damages you can receive in a wrongful death claim include:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Emotional damages
- End-of-life expenses
- Punitive damages
- More
Have You Lost a Loved One? Find Out How We Can Help
The pain you can experience after the death of a loved one can be agonizing. When someone else is responsible, The Kindley Firm, APC can help you file a claim that helps your family secure justice for your loved one’s memory.
Call us at 619-550-1313 or fill out the form below for more information and to schedule a free consultation.
