While losing a family member or other loved one will always cause pain, the sense of disbelief and loss you feel can be even more intense when your loss is caused by a random wrongful act. You might find that your profound sense of sadness seems endless, so even the task of getting out of bed feels impossible. This is a common and understandable response to such a life-altering tragedy.

When you last saw your family member, many of you never expected it to be for the final time. Because your tragedy was unexpected, you were deprived of the opportunity to say goodbye. Some of you might have known your loved one was fighting an illness or undergoing surgery, but you did not know that you would not enjoy another opportunity to share a hug or time together. While no one can give you back the warm embrace of your spouse, your parent’s guidance, or your child’s warm smile, the wrongful actions of an individual, company, and/or public entity have taken your loved one away. 

Because your loved one can no longer pursue justice, you must be the one that takes steps to hold the wrongdoer accountable. Our Stockton wrongful death accident lawyers can help and guide your family through the legal process. Call our law firm today at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 for free, compassionate advice.

While no amount of money can give you back the opportunity to enjoy precious moments with your loved one, you can see that the party responsible is punished through a monetary judgment. While this might not feel like the justice your loved one deserves, this is often the only way to ensure the wrongdoer experiences consequences. The monetary recovery can also provide the financial resources necessary to ensure that you can continue supporting your family and providing for their future.

The initial step in ensuring the at-fault party is held responsible is to speak to a top-rated wrongful death lawyer in San Joaquin County, CA. Admittedly, the thought of dealing with insurance companies and legal procedures might not sound like something you want to face now. Unfortunately, insurance companies will not pause while you grieve, nor will they hesitate in exploiting legal deadlines to avoid paying for their insured’s misconduct.

A legal claim for wrongful death includes an insurance company claim and/or a lawsuit seeking damages against an individual, business, or government entity that intentionally or negligently caused an individual’s death. Another way to understand a wrongful death insurance claim or a lawsuit is to constitute a personal injury claim where the victim does not survive their injuries. Some examples of wrongful death claims include:

• Motor vehicle accidents involving negligent drivers
• Medical malpractice (e.g., delayed or missed diagnosis, anesthesiology mistakes, birth injuries, hospital-acquired infections, etc.)
• Construction site accidents like falls from scaffoldings, trench collapses, or falling objects.
• Dangerous or defective products

Under California law, specifically designated parties can pursue a wrongful death claim, which includes the following:

• Domestic Partners
• Surviving Spouses
• Children of the Decedent
• Issue of the Deceased Child of Decedent
• Stepchildren Dependent on the Decedent
• Putative Spouse (e.g., the person who reasonably believed they were married to the decedent despite the non-existence of lawful marriage)
• Any minor child who resided in the family home for 180 before the decedent’s death if the decedent provided at least fifty percent support

If you are unsure about your right to file a claim for your loved one, discuss your case with an experienced Stockton wrongful death lawyer from our law firm today.

Watch the video below for more information on a wrongful death claim.

While money cannot genuinely compensate you for losing someone you love, your recovery can ease the financial hardships of losing a family breadwinner. California law provides that heirs of a decedent might be entitled to the following types of damages:

• Medical expenses (through a “survival action”)
• Lost future income of the decedent
• Lost inheritance
• Funeral/burial expenses
• Loss of household services
• Loss of companionship, comfort, affection, and moral support
• Loss of consortium (if lawsuit pursued by the surviving spouse of the decedent)
• Loss of guidance, training, and care of a parent

Insurance companies have extensive litigation resources and a team of defense lawyers who minimize the amount paid for their insured’s negligent conduct. An experienced attorney can ensure you do not run afoul of critical deadlines like the statute of limitations, the tort claims act, or other procedural hurdles. The statute of limitations requires that you file your lawsuit within a certain period. Failure to comply with this timing requirement typically will be a complete bar to any recovery, regardless of the merits of your claim. 

Compliance with the deadlines and procedures required by the tort claims act is essential if you sue a public entity like the City of Stockton or the State of California. You can focus on coping with your loss by letting your attorney handle the legal process and insurance company obstacles. Our San Joaquin County, CA, wrongful death accident attorneys also can assist you in obtaining needed support from grief counselors, support groups, and other resources.

The law imposes strict deadlines for filing a claim and providing notice to public entities responsible to some extent for the death of your loved one. Failure to meet these deadlines can severely undermine your legal rights to pursue a claim or obtain the full measure of damages under California law. The lawyer might need time to investigate your claim and conduct legal research to determine whether you have a viable lawsuit. 

If you act promptly, you avoid the risk that the attorney will not have sufficient time to explore your claim. Further, the insurance company will have attorneys protecting its rights and exploring potential defenses and strategies to minimize liability, so you need to balance the scales of justice by promptly speaking to an experienced Stockton wrongful death attorney.