Losing a loved one in a tragic accident is one of the most emotionally devastating things an individual can go through. Unfortunately, if the bereaved party was reliant on the deceased person’s income to pay the bills, their death can also cause financial difficulties.
If you have recently lost a spouse or parent due to the negligence of another party, and are struggling to figure out your finances, don’t panic. A Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer, like those here at KJ Injury & Accident Lawyers, PC, may be able to help you recover the compensation you need to pay your bills.
How the KJ Injury & Accident Lawyers, PC, Legal Team Can Help You with Your Wrongful Death Case
At KJ Injury & Accident Lawyers, PC, we are dedicated to helping bereaved California families lessen the financial impact of the death of their loved one. When you ask us to assist you with your wrongful death case, we will:
Walk You Through Your Legal Options
When your loved one dies in an accident, it can be tough to know what to do next. And as you deal with your grief, the last thing you want to do is spend hours trying to figure out your legal options.
Fortunately, when you work with our team of experienced attorneys, you won’t have to. We will take the time to sit down with you and walk you through the paths forward that are available to you. We will also provide you with our expert advice on what we believe to be the best route forward for you and your family.
Handle Your Case’s Paperwork Load
Wrongful death cases tend to be quite complex. As such, they generally involve a significant amount of paperwork. From filing the initial lawsuit to requesting records from the coroner, the administrative load can quickly become overwhelming.
The team here at KJ Injury & Accident Lawyers, PC, has been processing wrongful death suits on behalf of the people of Los Angeles for many years. When you hire us, our lawyers and paralegals will ensure that all of your paperwork is filled out accurately and filed on time.
Negotiate with the Other Party’s Insurer on Your Behalf
Shortly after your wrongful death suit has been filed, the other party’s insurer may reach out to attempt to settle the case. Unfortunately, it is quite likely that the value of their initial offer will be on the low side. To convince them to be more reasonable, a period of negotiation will probably be necessary.
Having spent years in the legal field, our attorneys have become experts at the art of negotiation. When you work with us, we will use all of our knowledge and experience to try to negotiate a fair settlement deal on your behalf.
The compassionate attorneys here at KJ Injury & Accident Lawyers, PC, understand that the weeks and months following the death of a loved one can be a difficult time – both emotionally and financially. If you would like to have us help you pursue the compensation you need to cover your expenses, all you need to do is give us a call. We would be happy to meet with you at our Los Angeles law office to learn more about your case.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death
Unfortunately, there are a wide variety of negligent activities that can lead to the death of another human being. A short sampling of some of the most common causes of wrongful deaths in the state of California would include:
Car Accidents
Drunk driving, distracted driving, and other forms of automobile negligence cause thousands of deaths every year. As such, it is no surprise that car accidents are the leading cause of wrongful death suits in California.
Medical Malpractice
When doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals make errors, their patients often die. As a result, the bereaved family is usually entitled to sue the hospital or medical clinic for wrongful death.
Workplace Accidents
In dangerous environments like building sites and farms, a workplace accident can happen in an incident. If an employee dies as a result of that accident, their family can generally pursue a wrongful death compensation claim.
Criminal Acts
Unfortunately, it is not unusual for Los Angeles residents to be killed during robberies and other criminal acts. When this occurs, the bereaved family usually has the right to fight for compensation from the perpetrator.
Malfunctioning or Defective Products
Designers and manufacturers are required to make sure that their products are safe before selling them to the public. Should one of their products malfunction and kill someone, they may be sued for wrongful death.
Did you suffer the loss of a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence? Then please do not hesitate to reach out to the team here at the law firm of KJ Injury & Accident Lawyers, PC, in Los Angeles. We may be able to help you recover some much-needed compensation.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Suit in California?
The list of individuals who are eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit in the state of California is set out in Cal. Civ. Proc. Code §377.60. This statute explains that the following relatives of a deceased person can claim compensation:
- Their spouse
- Their children
- Their domestic partner
California law further states that the following surviving family members can bring a wrongful death suit if they can show that they relied on the deceased person for financial support or otherwise suffered financial losses as a result of their passing:
- Their putative spouse
- Their stepchildren
- Their parents
Finally, if there is nobody in the deceased person’s line of descent, a wrongful death suit can be filed by anyone “who would be entitled to the property of the decedent by intestate succession.” This rule often allows siblings to claim compensation.
The attorneys here at KJ Injury & Accident Lawyers, PC, in Los Angeles, are experts in all facets of personal injury and wrongful death law. If you would like to have us help you file a lawsuit against the person or business that caused you to suffer the loss of a loved one, just pick up the phone and give us a call. We are always ready, willing, and able to assist.
Compensation in California Wrongful Death Suits
When determining the amount of compensation to be paid out in a California wrongful death lawsuit, courts and insurance companies typically look at factors such as:
- The age of the deceased person
- The earning capacity of the deceased person
- The general health of the deceased person
- The education and training of the deceased person
- The income of the deceased person at the time of their death
Generally speaking, the younger, healthier, and well-educated a deceased person was, the more compensation their family is likely to receive.
Regardless of the size of the eventual check, however, most bereaved families receive compensation for at least a few of the following damages:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of household services
- Loss of love and affection
If the responsible party acted with gross or willful neglect, the surviving family may also be able to recover punitive damages.
Would you like to have a KJ Injury & Accident Lawyers, PC, attorney help you pursue compensation for the death of your spouse or parent? If so, all you need to do is send us a message online to set up a free consultation at our LA law office.
Statute of Limitations in California Wrongful Death Cases
The California legal system understands that bereaved family members often do not have the time or energy to think about filing a wrongful death suit in the days or weeks immediately following their loved one’s passing. As such, the state has a two-year statute of limitations on most wrongful death cases. As long as the family begins the legal process before this window closes, they can maintain their right to fight for compensation.
Deaths that occur because of medical malpractice are treated a little differently under the law, however. Because these cases tend to be quite a bit more complex than car or workplace accident cases, the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims against medical providers is three years. Families that fail to start the legal process during this period are likely to lose their ability to sue the responsible party.
To have a KJ Injury & Accident Lawyers, PC, wrongful death lawyer analyze your case and let you know your filing deadline, just give us a call and set up a consultation at a time that is convenient for you. We would be more than happy to provide you with the information you need.
Your Trusted Los Angeles Wrongful Death Lawyer
At KJ Injury & Accident Lawyers, PC, we have been helping Los Angeles families file wrongful death claims after losing a loved one for many years. As such, we have the experience and expertise needed to handle just about any case, no matter how complex it may be. If you would like to have us help you fight for the compensation you deserve, just reach out to us and arrange a free consultation.