Losing a loved one is always tragic. However, it is even more devastating when that person is taken from you through the negligence of another. The responsible party of the tragedy should be held liable. Any person who has had a loved one taken by wrongful death should contact a personal injury attorney to file a claim.

The California legislature understands how traumatic this type of loss can be, and how difficult it may be for a family to move forward after the death of a loved one. Monetary compensation can never completely heal, but it does keep liable parties legally responsible.

If you or someone you know has lost someone due to wrongful death, it is in your best interest to contact a wrongful death attorney.

California Lawyer for Wrongful Death Claim

A wrongful death can affect the entire family. Holding someone, a company, a person, or an entity responsible for their carelessness helps deter future acts of negligence and manage your financial future. If you have experienced a wrongful death, we urge you to contact a wrongful death attorney at Larian Law Firm.

The attorneys at Larian Law Firm are passionate about advocating for your loved one. We understand that your case is not only important to your family, but to the general public’s safety. Larian Law Firm has procured millions of dollars in wrongful death settlements in prior cases. Get a partner for these legalities, call Larian Law Firm we accept clients throughout the greater California.

Have some peace of mind today. Dial (310) 720-0505 to schedule a free consultation with an attorney at Larian Law Firm today.

How Do You Prove Wrongful Death?

California law specifically lists those who may file a cause of action for wrongful death. In each case, the suit may be filed by the person himself or by the decedent’s personal representative on behalf of the family member or heir.

Those who may assert claims for wrongful death include:

• The deceased’s surviving spouse or domestic partner
• A child or children of the deceased
• If the decedent was predeceased by a child, that child’s surviving children
• Certain other dependents of the deceased, including
• A putative spouse (a party to an invalid marriage who believed in good faith that he or she was married to the deceased)
• The minor children of a putative spouse
• Stepchildren
• Parents
• Any minor who resided with the deceased for the previous 180 days and was dependent on the deceased

More than one person has the right to pursue damages for wrongful death. However, the California courts will only let one claim may be filed based on an individual death.

A person bringing a wrongful death claim must generally sue on behalf of all of those with rights under the California wrongful death statute. The only exception is if the other who have the right to file a claim actively choose not to participate.

A wrongful death is legally defined as when “the wrongful act or neglect of another” caused a death. This means that a wrongful death claim may be filed against a person or entity who whether intentionally or negligently wrongfully caused another’s death.

Death by another’s negligence can happen in a variety of ways. Listed below are a few common causes to wrongful death claims.

Negligence-Based Wrongful Death Claims

A wrongful death claim is based on negligence. Wrongful death claims are often based on the same types of incidents that would have led to a personal injury claim if the victim had survived.

To establish liability in a wrongful death case, the plaintiff will have to demonstrate that the defendant had a duty of care for the deceased. Additionally, the plaintiff must prove that this duty of care was breached and that his or her breach caused or substantially caused the death.

For example, a driver has a duty to observe the speed limit. Following this speed limit is a duty of care because it is designed for the safety of other drivers and pedestrians when operating a motor vehicle. A speeding driver who kills a pedestrian has breached that duty.

In this scenario, because the driver breached his duty and that action caused the accident that resulted in the pedestrian’s death, he may be held liable for wrongful death.

Some common examples include:

• Auto Accidents
• Automobile accidents, including car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents, are among the most common types of wrongful death claims. A wrongful death claim may also arise when a bicyclist or pedestrian is killed by an automobile.
• Negligent behavior that may lead to a wrongful death claim based on a car accident includes:
• Drunk driving
• Distracted driving, such as texting or emailing while driving
• Speeding or reckless driving

These are some of the clearest and most dangerous negligent behaviors behind the wheel. However, any negligence in driving or vehicle maintenance that causes the death of another may form the basis for a wrongful death claim.

Medical Malpractice

Medical errors are now the third leading cause of death in the United States. A recent study led by a professor of surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine revealed that mistakes in hospitals and other medical facilities lead to more than 250,000 deaths each year.

Medical malpractice may occur for a variety of reasons, including:

• Medication errors
• Doctor negligence
• Improper or insufficient training
• Inadequate systems and safeguards
• Surgical errors
• Anesthesia errors

In this type of case, there may be multiple possible defendants in a wrongful death claim. For example, in the case of a surgical error, liability may lie with the hospital, the surgeon, staff who prepared the operating room, nurses supplied by an outside staffing company, and other potential liable parties.

Premises Liability

Wrongful death claims may also be based on accidental deaths occurring as the result of negligent maintenance or security of property.

Some examples of premise liability may include:

• A drowning death at a public pool with inadequate safety procedures
• A slip and fall injury on the unsafe or negligently cleared ice
• Death resulting from negligent set-up or maintenance of an amusement park ride

Security-related claims may arise if the property owner has reason to know that there are dangers impacting residents or visitors and fails to take appropriate measures.

For example, if an owner of an apartment complex who is aware that there has been a series of robberies in the parking lot, they are responsible for notifying their residents. If the owner does nothing to protect or warn those using the lot, he or she may be liable for wrongful death if a resident arriving home late at night is killed by a mugger.

Other Wrongful Death Causes

Motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, and premises liability are just a few examples of negligent behaviors that may lead to wrongful death litigation. Some other examples include:

• Defective products
• Environmental toxins
• Work-related accidents or exposure
• Intentional Acts Leading to Wrongful Death Claims

A relatively small percentage of wrongful death claims resulting from intentional acts rather than negligence.  These claims are frequently, but not always, based on criminal activity. California is one of the few states that allow for wrongful death claims as a result of infliction of severe emotional distress that leads to suicide.

Often, wrongful death claims based on an intentional act are more difficult than those based on negligence. Intentional wrongful death claims are usually difficult for the plaintiff who may be less likely to collect. That is because insurance policies generally don’t cover intentional acts.

So, if a family of the deceased can prove a wrongful death based on an intentional act and successfully files a claim, it may be impossible to collect on the judgment. One exception is when the defendant is a large corporation or otherwise has significant assets.

Unlike many states, California does not place a limit on the amount of damages that may be awarded in a wrongful death case. However, only certain types of damages are permitted. These damages are generally broken out into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.

Wrongful death claims also have a statute of limitations (or a time limit). A person must file a wrongful death claim within two years of the deceased’s death. In some cases, the statute may be altered. For instance, if you are filing a claim against a government entity the time limit is normally six months.

Economic Damages in Wrongful Death Cases

Common examples of economic damages include:

• Replacement of financial support that the deceased would have provided had he or she not been killed
• Compensation for loss of services the deceased would have provided, such as housekeeping, childcare and meal preparation
• Funeral and burial expenses may be awarded to the estate
• Medical expenses incurred as a result of the injury that led to death may be recovered by the estate

The amount and extent of these damages will vary. Compensation is based both on the amount of support provided by the deceased prior to death and the expected duration of the support.

For example, a surviving spouse will typically be entitled to compensation for the support he or she might have received for the rest of his or her life. However, a minor child may be entitled to support only until he reaches the age of majority, or perhaps through college.

Non-Economic Damages in Wrongful Death Cases

Non-economic damages generally include damages for:

• Loss of love, support, companionship, and related benefits of the relationship with the deceased
• Loss of sexual relations with a spouse or domestic partner
• Loss of guidance and education due to the loss of a parent

Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages are difficult to calculate. The jury has significant discretion in determining the value of non-economic losses, particularly since California does not cap damages awards in wrongful death cases.

California law dictates that the damage cap for emotional non-economic damages is 250,000.

In most cases, eligible family members and dependents have two years to file a wrongful death claim. However, it may be a mistake to delay seeking legal advice. Contact an attorney at Larian Law Firm to get in contact with a California wrongful death attorney today.

The procedures and requirements associated with prosecuting a wrongful death claim are complicated. A practiced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the legal system successfully. The attorneys Larian Law Firm have years of experience handling wrongful death cases in California. We attack each case with passion and a drive for justice. Our attorneys can create thorough investigation to identify who is liable and how they will be held responsible. The attorneys at Larian Law Firm have filed claims for clients throughout the greater Los Angeles-Long Beach metropolitan area and surrounding communities including Los Angeles, Visalia, Glendale, Irvine, Long Beach, and Pasadena.

If you have lost a loved one to someone else’s negligence, or your loved one was intentionally killed, your next step should be to schedule a free consultation with a wrongful death attorney. You owe it to yourself and your family to educate yourself about your rights and options.

Call (310) 720-0505 or schedule an online appointment for your free consultation today.