Nothing prepares you for the tragic loss of a family member. The pain remains 24/7, and while it may lessen over time, it is not something you ever really put behind you. Adding to your grief is the fact that your loved one died because another person or party behaved recklessly, or in the case of a crime, intentionally. Nothing can change this, but a wrongful death lawsuit can provide you with financial compensation and the knowledge that a certain amount of justice has been served.
The dedicated Los Angeles wrongful death lawyers at Salamati Law will determine which entities are responsible and hold them accountable. We will fight aggressively, so you and your family receive the maximum compensation for your loved one’s death.
What is wrongful death?
In California, wrongful death occurs when the individual succumbs as the result of a negligent, reckless, or intentional act. While many wrongful death cases involve accidents, not every “accidental” death is a “wrongful” death case per se. That is why a lawyer must investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, and decide not only whether the situation falls within the scope of wrongful death, but also who is responsible.
If the person was killed in a truck accident, for example, parties beyond the driver might be held liable. The investigation might show that the truck was not loaded properly, and the shifting cargo played a major part in the crash. That means the freight company would also be named in the lawsuit.
Survival actions
Compensation from wrongful death lawsuits goes to the family of the deceased. If the person did not immediately die, their estate may file a survival action, which often in tandem with a wrongful death lawsuit. In a survival action, the estate receives compensation, which is then distributed to the surviving heirs.
For example– a person enters the hospital for routine surgery. A surgeon makes an error, and the patient slips into a coma, dying a few weeks later. The late person’s spouse could file a wrongful death lawsuit based on the loss of spousal income and companionship. At the same time, the estate can file a survival action for medical malpractice against the surgeon or other healthcare providers responsible for the error and subsequent death.
Contact West Covina wrongful death lawyers
When your life has been turned upside down due to the tragic loss of a loved one due to another party’s actions, seek out the services of a compassionate California personal injury attorney at Salamati Law. To schedule a free consultation, call or text us 24/7 or fill out our online contact form.
After reviewing the circumstances of your family member’s death, we can advise you whether to file a wrongful death lawsuit—which is usually settled, but we will take your case to trial if the insurance company does not agree to an acceptable amount of compensation. Since we work on a contingency basis, no fee is charged unless we win.
