Life as you knew it ended with the tragic death of your family member. Because of the reckless or negligent actions of another party, you must spend the rest of your days without them. Money will not change anything; however, financial compensation by those responsible can offer a modicum of justice.
The compassionate Los Angeles wrongful death lawyers at Salamati Law know how deeply you are affected by your loved one’s death and fight aggressively to obtain the maximum compensation for your loss. Even though most cases are settled, we do not hesitate to go to court when needed.
Wrongful death
Wrongful death involves the loss of a person because of another party’s negligence. There is always a connection between the other person’s behavior and the cause of death. Common causes of wrongful death include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian or cycling accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Defective products
- Firearms accidents
- Swimming pool accidents
- Nursing home abuse
Wrongful death lawsuits are civil cases. If the death resulted from a crime, criminal proceedings are separate from a wrongful death lawsuit.
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit
In California, certain surviving family members have priority when it comes to filing a wrongful death lawsuit, and they are:
- Spouse
- Domestic partner
- Children
When the deceased doesn’t have any of the above, other relatives may file, based on the state’s law of intestate succession. This might include surviving parents, siblings, and then on to more distant relations. If a fetus died due to an accident or medical malpractice, the parents may file a wrongful death lawsuit.
The California statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death lawsuit is two years. There are exceptions if a government entity is involved—which means you must file the claim within six months.
While it is understandable that you or other family members may prove too grief-stricken to consider legal action, do not wait too long to bring the case to an attorney. A successful lawsuit requires as much evidence as possible, and evidence related to wrongful death accidents may disappear if an investigation is not started promptly.
Wrongful death damages
Compensation, or damages, in a wrongful death lawsuit may include:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Medical expenses relating to the death
- Loss of income
- Loss of future earnings
- Loss of companionship
Contact Inglewood wrongful death lawyers
If you have lost a family member because of someone else’s actions, it is critical to obtain legal counsel as soon as possible. This is not a battle you must fight alone. An experienced LA personal injury attorney at Salamati Law will review the case and let you know whether there are grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit. Call us today or contact us online or by phone to arrange a free consultation. Because we work on a contingency basis, there is no fee unless we win.
