If you have lost a loved one in a fatal accident, you and your family may feel frustrated, confused, and angry. The pain of the loss is often overwhelming. What can make it worse is that another person’s recklessness or negligence contributed to the fatal incident. A wrongful death claim against a negligent party or entity may not bring a loved one back or relieve mental anguish. However, a compensation claim can provide a sense of justice and help ease the financial burden your family may have experienced due to your loss.

When you have lost a loved one in an accident caused by negligence, a wrongful death claim may help you obtain the justice and financial support your family deserves. Call our Pittsburg, CA, wrongful death lawyers today to learn more at (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400 and receive free, friendly advice.

Contact our law firm today to schedule a free case evaluation if you want to learn about your legal rights and options following the unexpected loss of a loved one. Our team of wrongful death lawyers in Pittsburg, CA, is available anytime to discuss your immediate needs and offer guidance and support during this difficult time.

Wrongful death occurs when a loved one loses their life because of another’s wrongful or negligent action. Surviving family members often experience anger, frustration, and grief when this happens. Survivors rightfully deserve answers and justice for their loss. Another type of hardship that goes unmentioned is the financial burden of a loved one’s wrongful death.

In California, compensation for economic and non-economic damages is often available through a wrongful death claim, a civil case brought forth by surviving family members. However, the legal process of filing a wrongful death action against negligent parties, insurance companies, and other entities can be challenging. An experienced wrongful death attorney in Pittsburg is familiar with California laws and can help your family throughout the claims process.

A lawsuit may be filed in civil court to hold at-fault parties financially accountable when their negligence led to a loved one’s wrongful death. Surviving family members who may claim damages in a wrongful death claim include the decedent’s spouse, domestic partner, and children. This is by the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1.

Other relatives dependent on the deceased for support may also file a wrongful death lawsuit. This may include the decedent’s parents, stepchildren, putative spouse, and putative spouse’s children.

Survivors may seek economic and non-economic damages to ease the financial hardship and intangible harms they have experienced and help provide a more secure future. Some of the wrongful death damages surviving family members may be entitled to may include:

• Costs of medical treatment incurred because of the fatal accident before the decedent passed away
• Expenses for a loved one’s funeral and burial services
• Loss of earnings, future lost wages, benefits, and inheritance that would have been provided by the decedent
• Lost companionship, care, and protection

A Pittsburg wrongful death lawyer may also seek punitive damages from the party whose egregious actions led to losing a loved one. These are designed to punish the negligent individual or entity for wrongdoing and prevent similar situations from happening to other families in the Pittsburg community. In a wrongful death car accident case, an attorney may seek punitive damages if excessive speeding or driving under the influence contributed to a loved one’s demise. The video below provides additional information about how California’s wrongful death claims process works.

Taking quick action in a wrongful death claim is essential due to the statute of limitations that applies to these cases. Under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, a lawsuit can be filed up to two years after a close relative’s wrongful death. A suit must be filed in civil court if the insurance company does not accept a fair wrongful death settlement within the two-year statute of limitations. However, the time limit may change depending on the party a claim is being filed against on behalf of a lost loved one.

For instance, if a wrongful death case involves a claim against a government entity, a notice of claim must be filed within six months or 180 days of the fatal incident. Because of the limited time to bring a case, working with a Pittsburg wrongful death attorney is essential to preserve necessary evidence, conduct an independent investigation of the fatal incident, and ensure all filing criteria and deadlines are met.

When you have experienced a loss in the family because of a fatal accident, you have enough to worry about during this difficult time. Paying for an attorney to handle your wrongful death case should not be one of those concerns.

Our Pittsburg, CA, wrongful death lawyers handle all cases on a contingency fee arrangement. This means you will not have to pay any upfront attorney’s fees or any out-of-pocket expenses to have our law firm protect your family’s legal rights and best interests. We understand the financial and emotional hardship a loved one’s wrongful death can bring and will only require payment if we obtain fair compensation on your behalf.

When you work with our law firm, our Pittsburg, CA, wrongful death attorneys will offer you and your family the emotional support and guidance you all need while coming to terms with your loss. Our legal team has handled cases like yours since 1982. We have the experience, skills, and resources to prove your case. Here are some ways our wrongful death attorneys in Pittsburg, CA, can help your family:

• Conduct an independent investigation of the wrongful death accident and determine which party or entity was at fault.
• Gather and preserve compelling evidence to build a strong case for compensatory damages.
• Handle communications and negotiations with insurance companies and defense counsel on your behalf.
• Work with expert witnesses, such as an economist, to establish the full value of wrongful death damages to prove the fair and reasonable value of lost future financial support.
• File a lawsuit in civil court and prepare for trial if all attempts at a fair wrongful death settlement fail with the insurance carrier within the two-year statute of limitations.

Your loss matters to us at our law firm, and we will do everything to ensure that your family receives justice and fair compensation. We will handle all aspects of your case so your focus can be on recovering and putting your life back together. Call us at (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400 today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options and potential strategies for building a solid wrongful death case for justice and financial compensation.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 8.29.23] Image by Goran Horvat from Pixabay ds [cs 1189] cha}