Wrongful Death Attorney Serving Los Angeles
Losing a loved one is never easy. When their passing is due to someone else’s negligence, this tragic incident can be even more difficult to accept. It may seem impossible to grieve and move on while knowing that your loved one’s death was not their fault. In order to achieve closure, you may be intent on pursuing justice. The good news is that the legal system in Los Angeles allows you to do this. If your loved one’s passing was indeed due to the reckless and negligent behavior of another party, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit against them. This can provide you with a sense of closure and justice, and although you may never truly move on from this incident, a successful lawsuit can make it easier to deal with.
If you would like to explore your options for a wrongful death lawsuit in Los Angeles, you should get in touch with a qualified, experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. These professionals can guide you towards a positive outcome. Aside from the emotional advantages of achieving closure, your wrongful death lawsuit can also provide many other important benefits. Chief among these is a settlement that can help you deal with the financial impact of your loved one’s passing. A settlement can also provide you with compensation for non-economic damages.
Remember, it is always best to take legal action as soon as possible after your family member’s passing. Although it can be difficult to focus on legal matters when you are dealing with such a loss, it is best to be proactive. Important evidence has a tendency to dematerialize over time, and the statute of limitations may prevent you from taking legal action if you wait too long. Once you connect with a qualified attorney, you can delegate most of the legal processes to us and focus on healing and taking care of your family.
What is a California Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
In many ways, a wrongful death lawsuit is very similar to a normal personal injury lawsuit. Negligent parties are held accountable for causing injuries to innocent plaintiffs. If the lawsuit is successful, the defendant is forced to pay a settlement to the aggrieved party. The only difference is that the injuries caused by the defendant are fatal in the case of a wrongful death lawsuit. As such, the deceased individual is not the person who is actually filing the lawsuit. Finally, a wrongful death lawsuit involves different damages, since the loss associated with a fatal injury is different from that of a non-fatal injury.
When Can You File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California?
If you have lost a loved one in a fatal accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. However, there are certain restrictions on exactly who can file these types of lawsuits. Usually, you can only file a lawsuit if you are a close family member. According to California law, you are only able to file a wrongful death lawsuit if you are:
- The deceased individual’s spouse
- The deceased individual’s domestic partner
- The deceased individual’s child
- The deceased individual’s grandchild
If none of these people are willing to file wrongful death lawsuits, you can step forward if you were entitled to the property by intestate succession. This could potentially allow you to file the lawsuit if you are a parent or a sibling of the deceased individual. Finally, you can also file the lawsuit if you can prove that you were financially dependent on the deceased individual at the time of their passing. This may include stepchildren and legal guardians. So all in all, an extremely wide range of people could potentially file wrongful death lawsuits after losing a loved one. That being said, spouses are probably most likely to file these lawsuits.
What Kind of Damages Can You Claim in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
As previously mentioned, those who file wrongful death lawsuits can claim damages that are unique to this specific situation. As you might expect, these damages involve the economic and non-economic loss associated with losing a loved one.
In terms of economic losses, one of the most important things to consider is the loss of income to a family. A common scenario is a single parent who was depending on the income provided by a primary breadwinner prior to the fatal accident. This surviving parent can then claim loss of future income, which is an important damage in a wrongful death lawsuit. Essentially, these loved ones can receive compensation for what that deceased individual would have provided if they had been able to continue working.
You can also receive compensation for funeral costs thanks to a wrongful death lawsuit. This allows you to spend a reasonable amount of money to honor your loved one and say goodbye in a dignified manner. In addition, you can receive compensation for medical expenses that may be outstanding. For example, doctors may have attempted a number of complex surgical procedures in an effort to save your loved one’s life. These medical debts can be extremely detrimental, and a wrongful death lawsuit can help you clear these debts.
Outside of economic damages, you can receive compensation for the emotional and psychological impact of your loved one’s passing. Although these damages are typically referred to by the umbrella term “pain and suffering”, there are some specific types of losses you can claim in this category. One of the most common is “loss of consortium”, which involves the loss of a romantic partner.
Examples of Wrongful Death Lawsuits in California
On November 14th, 2021, it was reported that popular Hollywood star Olivia Munn was facing a wrongful death lawsuit, along with her mother. The actress, who is known for roles in movies like X-Men Apocalypse, allegedly instructed a laborer to repair her roof without adequate fall protection or safety measures. This laborer fell from the roof and suffered a number of blunt force traumatic injuries. Although he received medical attention, he died not long afterward.
On November 12th of 2021, it was reported that a family in Southern California was suing a medical center for causing the death of an elderly individual. This was after they found out that this woman had maggots crawling around inside of her body. They also claim that staff members skipped diabetic treatments and failed to provide her with sanitary living conditions.
On November 4th of 2021, it was reported that a nurse in a California county jail had been charged with involuntary manslaughter after abandoning a 24-year-old inmate who had collapsed in front of her. The female inmate’s family has also filed a wrongful death lawsuit against her.
Enlist the Help of a Qualified Los Angeles Wrongful Death Attorney Today
If you have been searching the Los Angeles area for a qualified, experienced personal injury attorney, look no further than Mary Alexander & Associates. Over the years, we have helped many family members file wrongful death lawsuits, and we understand how painful these situations can be. We are ready and willing to approach your lawsuit in a considerate, confident, and effective manner. If someone else’s behavior or actions led to your family member’s passing, you have every right to hold them legally accountable.
Filing a lawsuit cannot bring your loved one back, but it can provide you with a considerable settlement for everything you’re going through. This settlement can prove vital, especially for single parents who are left alone to raise their children. You deserve the opportunity to explore your legal options, and we can explain this entire process in much more detail face-to-face. Book your consultation today, and we can immediately get started on an effective action plan together.
