Porter Ranch Wrongful Death Lawyers
Your grief is overwhelming and has not abated since you learned of your loved one’s untimely death. It seems like a nightmare from which you cannot wake up, and the fact that another party’s recklessness, negligence, or intentional actions caused this fatality makes the situation even more unbearable.
The Porter Ranch personal injury lawyers at Ellis Injury Law know the deep pain and grief you are going through and will work hard so that you and your family receive some form of justice. Money cannot return your loved one to you, but it can offer you financial security during this difficult time.
Wrongful death causes
Motor vehicle accidents, including those involving pedestrians and cyclists, are a major cause of wrongful death. Other common situations resulting in wrongful death include:
- Defective products
- Drowning
- Firearms accidents
- Manslaughter or murder
- Medical malpractice
- Slips and falls
In California, family members can typically file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years of the death date. If the negligent or reckless party involved is a government agency, such as a public transit bus, there is a much shorter statute of limitations. Such claims require filing within six months of the death date. Even though you are grieving, obtaining legal counsel as soon as possible is critical.
A wrongful death lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation of every aspect of your family member’s death. Depending on the cause of death, that will include reviewing medical and police reports, interviewing eyewitnesses, accident reconstruction, and hiring experts in their respective fields to provide their professional opinions.
We will also identify people who knew the deceased and can testify as to the love and care he or she had for the survivors. These individuals can share details of the deceased’s life and the effect the death has had on family members. These details paint a compelling portrait of the depth of the loss and the many ways the family was impacted.
Wrongful death damages
Under California law, damages for wrongful death may include:
- Medical expenses relating to the accident prior to death
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of income
- Loss of love and companionship
- Loss of assistance and protection
With the exception of medical malpractice cases, California does not place a limit on the damages a jury may award in a wrongful death case.
Contact Porter Ranch wrongful death lawyers
A personal injury attorney at Ellis Injury Law can help you receive the maximum compensation for the loss of your loved one. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We will protect your interests while intently pursuing the case against those responsible. While the overwhelming majority of cases result in settlements, we do not hesitate to go to trial if the insurance company does not agree to a reasonable sum. Because we work on a contingency basis, there is no fee unless we win.