A loved one’s unexpected death is always a difficult time for their loved ones. However, if the death was caused by someone’s wrongful behavior and was otherwise avoidable it turns into an unimaginable tragedy. No matter the cause of death, the family of the deceased can end up suffering massive emotional and financial injuries due to the sudden loss. The skilled Northridge wrongful death lawyers at Walch Law know the seriousness of the situation you are experiencing and are here to help; we have over 45 years of experience fighting for clients like you to get a check in hand quickly so you can stay afloat and begin the recovery process. Contact us today to get started; let us show you why Robert and Gary are who you want in your corner working to get you the money you deserve.
What is Wrongful Death?Wrongful death claims arise when someone loses their life as a result of another’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional conduct and injures their surviving family members. There are some situations that people immediate think of when the idea of a wrongful death comes to mind. For example, the 2019 death of a woman sitting in a parked car in a parking lot when her vehicle was struck by a car fleeing from CHP at Reseda Boulevard and Devonshire Street would likely give rise to a wrongful death claim.
There are a number of other situations that merit wrongful death lawsuits that may not seem obvious to most people. These claims may also stem from:
Anyone considering a wrongful death suit should understand that because these claims are civil instead of criminal, if they have standing they may file a lawsuit whether or not a criminal case arising from the same incident is pending or has already been filed.
Who Can Sue for Wrongful Death?After someone passes in a tragic, unexpected accident, the friends and family of the deceased may understandably have feelings of both anger and grief due to the fact the loss was avoidable. Unfortunately, the fact someone is feeling these emotions and suffering due to the death doesn’t automatically give them the ability to recover compensation for resulting injuries.
California has laws in place that determine who among a deceased’s surviving family possesses the right (known as legal standing) to file a wrongful death lawsuit in court and pursue compensation from the at-fault individual for harms caused by the death of their loved one.
The first set of eligible survivors consists of nuclear family members. These individuals have priority to file a lawsuit over other relatives. The group includes the decedent’s:
If there are any eligible survivors from the first set of eligible survivors, no one else is permitted to file a wrongful death lawsuit. However, when no members of the priority class exist, another class of eligible survivors may file a claim provided they were financially dependent on the deceased. This includes the decedent’s:
When a wrongful death occurs, it’s normal for victims affected by the loss to wonder about the damages they can recover for the injuries they’ve endured. A sudden loss in the household can turn a family’s finances upside down and put their future in jeopardy if they depended on the deceased as a breadwinner or contributing income at home. Once an eligible survivor establishes that someone was at-fault for their loved one’s death and is liable for the injuries they have suffered, they may be entitled to compensatory damages. Nothing can undo the loss that has taken place, but victims may be able to recover for:
The death of a family member before their time turns the lives of their loved ones upside down in an instant; they not only face grief but often immediate and long-term financial concerns from the unexpected decrease in household income. The skilled Northridge wrongful death attorneys at Walch Law know the overwhelming stress you’re dealing with; that’s why from the moment you hire us we’ll fight to get you the money you deserve as quickly as possible in so you can rebuild your life and focus on your emotional recovery. Robert and Gary have spent more than 45 years getting our clients maximum possible compensation for their injuries with a success rate of over 98%, so they make a career out of getting results. Contact us today to learn about the wrongful death claim process and take the first step to getting your life back on track.