The recent loss of a loved one is an emotionally devastating event that may leave you scarred for the rest of your life. This is particularly true when the death may have been caused by the wrongdoing or negligence of another person. 

If your family has recently lost a loved one, you are, quite understandably, feeling hurt, angry, and confused about the circumstances of your loved one’s death. This is especially true when someone’s life is taken in a preventable accident. It is natural to have questions about the circumstances of a sudden passing, and taking legal action can help clarify what happened. Our Orangevale wrongful death lawyers can help. Call our law firm at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for a free consultation.

In addition to fatal automobile accidents, wrongful death may occur under the following circumstances:

• Pedestrian accident
• Boating accident
• Train accident
• Medical error or malpractice
• Unsafe or defective consumer products
• Dangerous prescription medications 

Even if the recent death of your loved one did not occur as a result of any of the above-listed circumstances, that does not mean a wrongful death did not happen. Contact an Orangevale wrongful death lawyer if you have unanswered questions about your loved one’s passing.

Losing a family member can result in tremendous financial strain, especially if the decedent was a primary breadwinner. The mortgage, electric bill, water, credit card bills, etc., will keep piling up. They do not stop simply because someone has passed away. Exercising your legal rights and pursuing a wrongful death claim against the reckless party that took your loved one’s life is essential.

The wrongful death litigation process can result in various forms of financial compensation. Under California law, compensation-based damages can include the recovery of any medical bills accrued by your loved one before their death (e.g., emergency room bills), funeral costs, and the lost future wages of the decedent. The future wages of a decedent may wind up being substantial, especially if your loved one was holding down a full-time job and contributing to the support of your family. Your lawyer can obtain a reasonable estimate of your loved one’s future wages by retaining the services of an experienced economist and introducing W-2s and tax returns from your loved one to substantiate the wage claim.

In addition to the economic harms described above, you can also pursue non-economic harms, including damages for losing a loved one’s companionship and the pain and suffering you endured as a proximate result of your loved one’s sudden, unexpected death.

In some instances containing particularly shocking facts, punitive damages may also be available to punish the defendant for their outrageous and shocking conduct. For example, if a driver was heavily intoxicated driving on the highway at a rate of 105 mph and collided head-on with your loved one’s vehicle, there may be a sufficient basis to pursue punitive damages.

Watch the following video for more on a wrongful death claim.

Many people mistakenly believe hiring an attorney requires a massive hourly fee or a large lump sum as a retainer fee. No true. The overwhelming majority of wrongful death lawyers work on a contingency fee. Your lawyer does not collect a dime until a financial recovery is secured. If you do not get paid, your lawyer does not get paid.

If you believe you have a viable wrongful death claim, contact an Orangevale wrongful death attorney sooner or later. California law requires that wrongful death lawsuits be filed within two years from the day of your loved one’s death. If you put off taking action, you risk losing your legal right to hold the reckless party accountable for their negligence. Sometimes the deadline to file a claim is short if your loved one was killed due to a negligent public agency. You have six months or 180 days to lodge a claim in that case. After that, there are more strict timelines that must be filed. Therefore, it is essential to call an Orangevale wrongful death lawyer promptly after the death of your loved one.