When a loved one is taken unexpectedly in any sort of accident, it’s a tragedy. That tragedy is only magnified when the death resulted from an avoidable accident due to another’s conduct. The emotional and financial consequences of a loved one’s sudden absence can induce anxiety and put your financial future in jeopardy. The Simi Valley wrongful death lawyers at Walch Law know you need money as quickly as possible to ease your mind and your financial burdens, so we will start working on your case the moment you hire us. Robert and Gary have spent over four decades working to get settlement checks for victims like you and have a success rate of over 95 percent! To get help and get started on the road to recovery, call us today!
Wrongful Death ScenariosWhenever an accident results in death in Simi Valley, the possibility for a wrongful death lawsuit may exist. Though some accidents are just that – tragic accidents – many more are the result of another party’s bad behavior. Any wrongful death, whether negligently, recklessly, intentionally, or criminally caused, may create a wrongful death cause of action. Even though any number of scenarios can give rise to liability, some are more common than others:
Simi Valley, a city of 124,237 as of 2019, is a bustling suburb just northwest of Los Angeles in Ventura County. It’s been consistently growing over the past decade and is near the massive 101, 118, and 405 freeways. Though it is widely regarded as a safe community, accidents do happen that can cause death and bring about lawsuits. Violent crimes may result in death, car accidents on busy roads due to drunk or distracted driving often result in fatalities, and construction projects needed to accommodate the growing community such as Arroyo Vista at the Woodlands often create dangerous conditions which can easily result in fatalities.
Standing to Sue for Wrongful DeathAnyone affected by the loss of a loved one may feel entitled to compensation for emotional injuries caused by the sudden, unexpected, permanent absence that has just occurred. In California, though, only certain people with connections to the decedent have legal standing to bring a wrongful death suit for compensation. Because a deceased person can have many relatives, laws were created creating tiers of relatives with different priority levels based on their closeness in relation. Because the laws can be confusing it’s wise to talk to a Simi Valley wrongful death lawyer to learn about your unique situation.
The first tier of eligible defendants is usually the deceased’s immediate family. If one or more of these individuals exist, no one else is permitted to sue. The first tier includes a spouse, children, registered domestic partner, and living grandchild whose parent was the deceased’s child but who is now also deceased.
If there are no relatives in the first tier, a second tier of relatives may file a wrongful death suit – if they can show they financially depended on the deceased. This includes relatives like parents and stepchildren.
Available Damages- How Much is Your Wrongful Death Case Worth?If the deceased’s loved one is eligible to sue and can prove negligence, recklessness, or intentional conduct resulted in a wrongful death in Simi Valley, they may be eligible to recover damages for the injuries they suffered. The sudden, unexpected absence of a loved one can create extreme financial stress and emotional injuries when the deceased was relied on for financial and emotional support. Knowing this, victims may be awarded compensation for damages including the loss of expected financial support contributed by the deceased, the loss of value for household services contributed by the deceased, and loss of the deceased’s companionship, love, affection, and support.
Speak to a Lawyer TodayLosing a loved one and being thrown into financial uncertainty means that you may not think you can afford a Simi Valley wrongful death lawyer to pursue the compensation you deserve. However, Robert and Gary want to make sure you can afford to have someone fight for you, so all our cases are taken on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing until after your case is over and you get paid, so you still have the chance to pursue the money you deserve and have successful attorneys in your corner to build the best case for recovery possible. Call us today to get your questions answered and take the first step towards compensation today!