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Wrongful Death

After a loved one’s untimely death, you and your family may be entitled to a cash settlement by filing a civil claim with La Justicia’s experienced California attorneys. Contact a member of our team today at (833) 522-1100 for a free and confidential wrongful death lawyer consultation. Our team is available to answer your questions 24/7.

Accidents occur every day in Southern California, but when a victim passes away during an act of negligence or due to resulting injuries, a wrongful death civil claim may be warranted. In many cases, wrongful death civil suits are filed by families who are already proceeding with personal injury claims (like car accidents), but a loved one unexpectedly dies.

What is a California Wrongful Death Claim?

Perhaps the most well-known wrongful death case was brought by the family of Ronald Goldman against former football star O.J. Simpson.

In 1994, Ron Goldman was murdered alongside Nicole Brown Simpson. Subsequently, the Goldman family was awarded $33.5 million in a wrongful death lawsuit. The multi-million dollar wrongful death damages award was obtained despite O.J. Simpson being acquitted in his criminal trial. Wrongful death lawsuits are also commonly filed by families after:

Catastrophic injury accidents
Work accidents
Physical assaults/battery

A wrongful death lawsuit contends that the victim would otherwise be alive if not for the negligent actions of the defendant. A personal injury lawsuit involving serious or catastrophic injuries may be transitioned into a wrongful death claim if the victim dies after an accident – even weeks or years later.

Can You Sue For Wrongful Death After a Crime is Committed?

Yes – a wrongful death claim may be filed following the commission of a crime. Even if a criminal case is brought against a defendant, a wrongful death claim can actually run concurrently with a trial through the local District Attorney’s Office.

A wrongful death claim does not carry the same burden of proof as criminal case, and damages may be awarded commensurate with a family’s suffering. Reach out to La Justicia’s experienced and dedicated legal team to build your wrongful death case in an effort to ensure that your family is properly compensated for damages is able to move forward on their own terms.

How Much is a California Wrongful Death Claim Worth?

Boat accidents happen for any number of reasons. Let’s take a look at some of the most common:

Pain and suffering of the decedent
Disfigurement of the decedent
Income that would have been earned by the decedent
Funeral and burial expenses
Hospital and medical expenses (if provided prior to the death)
Loss of companionship
Loss of support
Loss of sexual partner
Loss of insurance

Additionally, your wrongful death claim may include damages related to loss of consortium. Loss of consortium applies in situations where a spouse or registered domestic partner is deprived of the companionship and intimacy of a living partner due to another person’s negligence.

The Burden of Proof in a Wrongful Death Case

The burden of proof in your family’s wrongful death case is dependent upon proving negligence. Your team of attorneys at La Justicia will work tirelessly to demonstrate that:

A duty of care exists
That duty of care was violated
The victim died during the incident (or died due to injuries sustained during the incident)
The incident in question caused the victim’s death

Regardless of the specific circumstances related to the incident which took the life of your loved one, reach out to the La Justicia team today to learn more about your legal rights.

Wrongful deaths are commonly a result of negligent:

Drivers
Businesses
Property owners
Corporations
Criminals

If a driver was aggressive, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, distracted, or performing another unethical act that led to your loved one’s death, a cash settlement may be awarded after you file a claim with La Justicia’s army of wrongful death attorneys.

If a business or property owner failed to maintain a property and a death resulted (e.g. through a collapsing roof, a fire, a building collapse) the at-fault party can be held liable for the accident.

Additionally, defective products frequently cause injuries or fatalities. Accordingly, your family may file suit against that company for compensation.

California Wrongful Deaths Statistics

In 2018, 3563 people died in California car accidents.
The California Department of Industrial Relations reported 422 work-related deaths in 2018 (and that figure has risen considerably since 2014).
From January 2020 to September 2020, 239 murders occurred in Los Angeles County.

When a death occurs due to negligence, you and your family have rights under the law. Don’t settle for anything less than the La Justicia advantage. Our team of wrongful death attorneys is dedicated to securing you the justice and maximum financial compensation you deserve.

What is the California Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations?

In California, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim starts at the time of the victim’s death. Under the California Code of Civil Procedure, section 337.60, you have two years to file a wrongful death claim.

Who Can File a California Wrongful Death Claim?

Multiple surviving family members may be eligible to bring a wrongful death claim after a loved one’s unfortunate passing:

Surviving spouses
Domestic partners
Children of the decedent
Grandchildren (if the decedent’s children are also deceased)
Other minor children (including stepchildren) who were dependent on the decedent for at least 50% of their financial support
Anyone else who would be entitled to the deceased’s property under California’s laws on intestate succession

California intestate law ensures that if no immediate family members of the decedent are alive, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, or siblings may file a claim on behalf of the loved one’s estate.

Contact California’s Leading Wrongful Death Lawyers for a Free Consultation

At La Justicia, our army of wrongful death attorneys is dedicated to ensuring that each and every client’s case receives the professionalism, compassion, and attention needed to reach a successful conclusion. And that means securing justice through maximum financial compensation for all of the damages you and your family are eligible to recover after a loved one’s untimely death.

With more than 50 years of combined experience and over $500,000,000 in settlements and verdicts recovered for personal injury and wrongful death clients like you, you’ll have peace of mind and confidence throughout every step of the litigation process.

Contact a member of the La Justicia team today at 833-522-1100 for a free, confidential, and no obligation wrongful death lawyer consultation. Our team is available 24/7 to answer any questions you have.