Fullerton Wrongful Death Lawyer

No one should lose their life due to someone else’s negligence, nor should anyone have to endure the premature loss of a loved one under such circumstances. Unfortunately, wrongful deaths occur daily across California. In these situations, having an experienced personal injury attorney by your side can be essential to securing the compensation your family deserves and reducing the added stress and heartache of the legal process. A compassionate Fullerton wrongful death lawyer could work tenaciously to protect your rights while also keeping you informed about your case’s progress and remaining accessible by phone or text message.

Establishing Grounds for a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

In general, a valid wrongful death claim arises whenever someone dies under circumstances that, had they survived, would have allowed them to file a personal injury lawsuit. Besides accidents caused by negligence, like car crashes, hazardous property conditions, defective products, medications, and pedestrian accidents, wrongful death lawsuits can also be filed when the death is the result of an intentional criminal act.

The people who can legally file a wrongful death claim and seek compensation are typically:

• The deceased person’s spouse
• The deceased person’s children
• The deceased person’s grandchildren (if the deceased had no living children)

If none of these relatives are alive, others may have the right to file a claim if they can prove they were financially dependent on the deceased or they are entitled to inherit property from the deceased under intestate succession laws. A wrongful death lawyer in Fullerton can help someone determine whether they have standing to bring a claim.

What Damages Can Family Members Recover For?

No amount of money can ever truly compensate for a life being unjustly cut short, and wrongful death claims are not intended to do that.  Rather, the goal of this sort of litigation is to reimburse surviving family members for specific “damages” they will experience because of their loved one’s death, including both “economic” and “non-economic” forms of harm like:

• Lost future financial support the deceased person would have provided, including lost value of inheritance, gifts, and other benefits
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Lost household services and support
• Lost love, companionship, protection, and affection
• Lost intimacy for a spouse

In most cases, there are no limits on the amount of compensation that can be sought in a wrongful death claim. However, there may be exceptions, such as claims against negligent healthcare providers, where caps might apply. A wrongful death lawyer in Fullerton can provide more detailed information if needed.

Hire a Fullerton Wrongful Death Attorney

After the sudden and unexpected death of a loved one, it can be difficult to know what steps to take next, especially if you’re unsure of your rights as a “surviving family member” under California law. Know that a legal team such as CD Law is here to guide you through this challenging time with proactive and effective legal support. Call CD Law today to schedule a consultation with a Fullerton wrongful death lawyer.