Paramount Wrongful Death Lawyers
The death of a family member is always difficult, but when the person died because of the actions of another party, it is even harder to bear. Because of another’s negligent or deliberate acts, your family is torn apart and your lives are changed forever.
Your loved one cannot return to you, but the compassionate personal injury lawyers at Ellis Injury Law can hold the parties responsible for your loss accountable.
Wrongful death
The most common wrongful death cases often involve motor vehicle accidents. Other frequent causes of wrongful death include:
- Drowning
- Firearms accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Slips and falls
- Toxin exposure
Additionally, there is a situation of homicide. When another person intentionally killed your loved one, the prosecutor will try them on murder or manslaughter charges in criminal court. A wrongful death lawsuit is separate from a criminal action. It is filed in civil court and seeks monetary compensation for the death of the family member from the defendant.
Filing a wrongful death lawsuit
California prioritizes which family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit. In order, these are the surviving:
- Spouse
- Domestic partner
- Children
If the deceased did not have these surviving relatives, other family members may file the lawsuit. This may include parents, siblings, or minors living in the deceased’s household for at least six months and who were dependent on the late person for at least half of their financial support. It is best to speak with a wrongful death attorney who can best guide you on who may file.
The statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death lawsuit is generally two years from the death date. However, if the cause of the death is not immediately obvious, the discovery rule permits the filing of a wrongful death lawsuit within two years after the reason for the death was determined. The statute of limitations is much shorter – just six months –if the death involves any type of public entity, such as a person hit by a city or public school bus. It’s best to reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible to be on the safe side.
Wrongful death damages
Compensation for wrongful death may include economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Financial support the deceased would have contributed during their normal life expectancy
- Value of household services provided by the late family member
Your attorney will calculate the value of economic damages, which are relatively straightforward. Non-economic damages are more subjective, and may include:
- Loss of the deceased’s love and companionship
- Loss of training and guidance – for surviving children
- Loss of sexual relations –for the surviving spouse or domestic partner
A wrongful death lawyer can help you receive the maximum compensation for your loss.
Contact Paramount wrongful death lawyers
When tragedy strikes your family in the form of a death caused by another party’s recklessness or negligence, you need the services of an experienced Paramount personal injury attorney at Ellis Injury Law. Call or text us 24/7 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation. Over the past two decades, our dedicated attorneys have won over $350 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients. While most cases are settled, we will head to trial when necessary. Since we work on a contingency basis, there is never a fee unless we win.