Please accept our sympathy if you have lost a loved one to a tragic wrongful death. The unexpected loss of a family member is something no one should have to go through. Losing a loved one is traumatizing, and the aftermath of their death can last for years. The loss is even more challenging to accept when it results from someone else’s negligence. Surviving family members are often left with an overwhelmed burden and confusion.

The sudden and untimely death of someone you love is a life-changing experience. Seek justice against the responsible party with help from our skilled Novato legal team. Call our wrongful death attorneys at (415) 521-2515 for a free and compassionate consultation.

Wrongful death is when someone is killed due to another person’s negligence. It can be caused by intentional or unintentional incidents and include some of the following:

• Auto accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Medical malpractice
• Motorcycle accidents
• Homicide
• Pedestrian accidents
• Work-related injuries
• Truck accidents
• Defective consumer products
• Nursing home abuse

You can pursue a wrongful death claim for compensation if a family member dies due to negligence.

Surviving family members such as a spouse, a parent, or a child can file a wrongful death lawsuit. Any expenses related to the death and the family’s pain and suffering can also be recovered. Other recoverable damages through a wrongful death claim include:

• Medical expenses
• Funeral and burial costs
• Inheritance
• Future income earnings
• Retirement or pension
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of household services
• Punitive damages

Filing a wrongful death claim may not seem crucial when you are grieving. However, the insurance company representing the liable party is not waiting. Most insurance companies will try to offer the least amount of settlement possible or get your wrongful death claim dismissed. That’s why it is essential to retain a wrongful death lawyer immediately. An attorney knows insurance companies’ tricks and tactics to play the legal system.

A lawsuit must be filed within a specific time frame in California, or you will lose your legal rights to monetary compensation. This is called the Statute of Limitations. A surviving family member has two years from the fatal accident to file a lawsuit. If the death was caused by a government entity, you have only six months to file a claim. Talking to an accident lawyer immediately is best to protect your legal rights. To learn more about ensuring and protecting your specific statute of limitations, contact us for free, friendly advice.

Meeting with an injury lawyer to review your claim and determine if you have a good case to pursue a lawsuit is essential. If you are concerned about lawyer’s fees, you can put those worries to rest. Most wrongful death lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means the attorney’s fee is contingent on the successful outcome of your case. The lawyer only gets paid if you receive a settlement or verdict.

Determining when you will receive compensation will vary from case to case. While most cases will settle with the insurance company outside of court, others may go to trial.

The laws involving a wrongful death claim are complicated, and building a wrongful death case is challenging. However, it can be done if you have an experienced attorney to fight for you.

No amount of money can ever compensate for the death of your loved one. However, applying justice to the liable party can help provide financial security and closure to you and other surviving family members.

Watch the YouTube video below to learn more about wrongful death claims and why it’s essential for surviving family members to pursue a lawsuit to recover damages.

If you lost a loved one in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, we will fight to ensure you get the financial compensation you need to move forward. Call our experienced Novato wrongful death lawyers today for free, friendly, and compassionate advice at (415) 521-2515 or (800) 404-5400. See our past cases on our Verdicts and Settlements page.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 10.4.23] Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash cha [cs 745] bw}