Mount Wilson Wrongful Death Lawyers
In many cases, the person responsible for the death of your loved one will face criminal charges. When this occurs, they will face the potential of time behind bars among other consequences. However, a criminal prosecution occurs at the discretion of the prosecuting attorney. With the help of a Mount Wilson wrongful death lawyer, you and your family could have your own avenue to hold the person responsible for your loved one’s death accountable.
A wrongful death lawsuit is not a criminal proceeding. Instead, this civil proceeding gives the surviving heirs of a deceased person the right to seek compensation for the loss of their loved one. If you are ready to discuss your options with experienced personal injury lawyers, contact Ellis Injury Law right away.
At Ellis Injury Law, we are proud to serve the families of Mount Wilson. With more than two decades of service, we are confident we can help you protect your legal rights in a wrongful death claim.
The basis of a wrongful death claim
Not every death is wrongful under California law. To qualify, a death must result from the careless, reckless, or intentional act of another person. These acts can occur in a variety of situations. The most common cause of a wrongful death claim is a vehicle accident, but this is only one of many factors. The most common factors include:
- Car, truck, or bus accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Medical malpractice, including surgical errors
- Defective products
- Defective medicine
- Violent crime
If you are unsure of the exact cause of your loved one’s death, you are not without recourse. A wrongful death lawyer could thoroughly investigate the nature of your loved one’s death, working to identify their cause of death.
Compensation in a Mount Wilson wrongful death lawsuit
The compensation in a wrongful death claim falls into two broad categories. First, these damages are designed to compensate the surviving relatives who relied financially on the deceased. Second, these claims are also intended to recover the costs related to a deceased person’s final illness or injury. Some of the most common types of damages sought on these claims include:
- Financial support for the deceased person’s surviving family
- Funeral costs and burial expenses
- Cremation costs
- Medical bills from the deceased person’s final illness or injury
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of consortium
In the most egregious cases, punitive damages could be available. However, it is under rare circumstances where a jury will award these damages. A personal injury attorney could advise you if punitive damages might be available in your case.
Discuss your case with a Mount Wilson wrongful death attorney
Dealing with the loss of a loved one could be the most difficult thing you ever have to do. While focusing on your grief is job number one, it pays to keep track of your potential wrongful death claim as well. If you wait too long to file, you could lose your right to do so forever. Contact Ellis Injury Law right away to see how we can help you.