Has Your Family Lost a Loved One Because of Someone Else's Negligence?
The unexpected loss of a family member can create emotional, financial, and legal challenges. Wrongful death claims are civil actions that may allow certain surviving family members to seek compensation when a death is alleged to have been caused by another person's negligent or wrongful acts. These cases are highly fact-specific and are evaluated under California law. Because evidence may become more difficult to obtain over time and legal deadlines may apply, timely evaluation of a potential claim may be important.
Our legal team works to:
- Investigate the cause of the fatal incident
- Preserve critical evidence
- Obtain police reports, medical records, and witness statements
- Work with qualified experts when appropriate
- Identify all available insurance coverage
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Prepare cases for trial when a fair resolution cannot be reached
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?
Under California law, a wrongful death claim may arise when a person's death is alleged to have been caused by another party's negligent, reckless, or wrongful conduct. A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil action that is separate from any criminal investigation or prosecution. A civil wrongful death claim may be available regardless of whether criminal charges are filed or whether a criminal conviction is obtained. Eligibility to bring a claim and the damages that may be available depend on the specific facts and applicable California law.
Wrongful Death Cases We Handle
Sargsyan Law, APC represents eligible family members in wrongful death claims involving many types of fatal accidents and incidents, including:
- Fatal motor vehicle accidents
- Commercial truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian fatalities
- Bicycle accidents
- DUI-related collisions
- Rideshare accidents involving Uber or Lyft vehicles
- Dangerous property or premises liability incidents
- Fatal dog attacks
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents involving potential third-party liability
- Defective products and product liability claims
- Medical negligence claims, when supported by the facts and applicable law
Each case is evaluated individually based on the available evidence and California law.
Who May Be Eligible to File a Wrongful Death Claim?
California law identifies who may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim. Depending on the circumstances, eligible individuals may include:
- A surviving spouse or registered domestic partner
- Children of the deceased
- Certain other family members or heirs when permitted by law
Determining who may bring a claim can be legally complex, particularly in blended families or when multiple potential beneficiaries are involved.
What Compensation May Be Available?
Depending on the facts of the case and California law, recoverable damages may include:
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of household services
- Funeral and burial expenses, where recoverable under applicable law
- Loss of companionship, care, guidance, and society
- Other damages permitted under California law
The damages available in a wrongful death claim differ from those that may be available through a related survival action, and the specific facts of each case determine what may be recovered.
How Sargsyan Law, APC May Assist?
Sargsyan Law, APC provides legal representation for families pursuing wrongful death claims throughout California. Depending on the circumstances, the firm may assist by: 1. Reviewing the facts surrounding the incident, 2. Investigating the circumstances of the death, 3. Assisting in identifying and preserving relevant evidence, 4. Obtaining available records and documentation, 5. Working with qualified experts when appropriate, 6. Identifying potentially applicable insurance coverage, 7. Communicating with insurance companies and other involved parties, 8. Preparing cases for settlement negotiations or litigation when necessary.
Each matter is evaluated individually based on its facts and applicable California law.
Factors That May Be Considered in a Wrongful Death Case
Wrongful death claims often require careful review of evidence, which may include: 1. Police or incident reports, 2. Medical records, 3. Autopsy or coroner reports, when available, 4. Witness statements, 5. Photographs or video evidence. 6. Employment and financial records, 7. Expert analysis, when appropriate.
The relevance of any evidence depends on the specific facts of the case.
Why Families Choose Sargsyan Law, APC?
The loss of a loved one can leave families facing difficult legal and financial questions during an already challenging time. Sargsyan Law, APC provides legal representation to eligible family members throughout California in wrongful death matters arising from alleged negligence or wrongful conduct. Families choose Sargsyan Law, APC because the firm offers: The firm approaches each case with professionalism, responsive communication, and careful attention to the facts. Depending on the circumstances, Sargsyan Law, APC may conduct a thorough investigation, assist in preserving relevant evidence, work with qualified experts when appropriate, communicate with insurance companies and other involved parties, and prepare cases for settlement negotiations or litigation when necessary.
- Free and confidential case evaluations
- Representation throughout California
- Direct communication with the legal team handling the matter
- Thorough investigation of potential claims
- Contingency fee representation, when applicable
- Individualized legal representation tailored to the specific facts and circumstances of each case
Every wrongful death claim is unique and is evaluated based on its individual facts and applicable California law.
Schedule a Free, Confidential Case Evaluation
If you have lost a loved one and believe another party's negligence or wrongful conduct may have contributed to the death, Sargsyan Law, APC can evaluate your potential claim. During your free and confidential case evaluation, an attorney can discuss the circumstances of the incident, explain the legal process, answer your questions, and review potential legal options under California law.
- Contact Injuryclaim.law to request a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contacting InjuryClaim.Law does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Attorney fees are contingent upon the terms of the representation agreement.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a California wrongful death lawyer?
Wrongful death claims often involve complex legal issues, multiple insurance companies, questions about who may file a claim, and strict legal deadlines. While not every family chooses to hire an attorney, legal representation may help investigate the circumstances of the death, preserve evidence, identify responsible parties, and explain the compensation that may be available under California law.
What is a wrongful death claim in California?
A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit that may be brought when a person's death is caused by another party's negligent, reckless, or wrongful conduct. Its purpose is to seek financial compensation for certain surviving family members who have suffered losses because of the death.
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in California?
California law specifies who may bring a wrongful death claim. In many cases, eligible individuals include a surviving spouse, registered domestic partner, or children. Depending on the circumstances, other family members or heirs may also have legal rights. Determining eligibility can be complex, particularly in blended families or when multiple potential beneficiaries are involved.
What is the difference between a wrongful death claim and a survival action?
A wrongful death claim seeks compensation for losses suffered by eligible surviving family members because of their loved one's death. A survival action is a separate legal claim that may allow recovery for certain damages the deceased person could have pursued if they had survived. In some cases, both types of claims may be available, depending on the facts and California law.
What types of accidents can result in a wrongful death claim?
Wrongful death claims may arise from many different situations, including:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Commercial truck collisions
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Drunk driving (DUI) crashes
- Dangerous property conditions
- Defective products
- Construction accidents
- Medical negligence
- Dog attacks
- Workplace accidents involving third-party liability
How much is a California wrongful death case worth?
There is no standard settlement or verdict amount. The value of a wrongful death claim depends on many factors, including the deceased person's age, health, earning capacity, life expectancy, the financial support they provided, and the losses suffered by eligible family members. Every case is evaluated on its own facts.
What compensation may be available in a wrongful death claim?
Depending on the circumstances and California law, damages may include:
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of household services
- Funeral and burial expenses where recoverable under applicable law
- Loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, society, and moral support
- Loss of training and guidance for children
- Other damages permitted by California law
How long do I have to file a wrongful death lawsuit in California?
California law establishes deadlines for filing wrongful death claims, and different rules may apply depending on how the death occurred and whether a public entity is involved. Missing an applicable deadline may affect your legal rights, so it is important to seek legal guidance as soon as practical.
What if criminal charges are never filed?
A wrongful death claim is a civil matter and is separate from any criminal investigation or prosecution. In some situations, a family may still pursue a civil claim even if no criminal charges are filed or if a criminal case does not result in a conviction.
Can multiple family members receive compensation?
Possibly. California law allows certain eligible family members to participate in a wrongful death claim. How compensation is allocated depends on the facts of the case, the individuals entitled to recover, and applicable law.
What evidence is important in a wrongful death case?
Depending on the circumstances, important evidence may include:
- Police or investigative reports
- Medical records
- Death certificates
- Witness statements
- Photographs and videos
- Expert opinions
- Employment and income records
- Accident reconstruction analysis
- Product or property inspection records
Will the insurance company offer a fair settlement?
Insurance companies evaluate claims based on their own investigations and may dispute liability or the amount of damages. Before accepting any settlement, it is often helpful to understand the full scope of recoverable losses and the legal consequences of signing a release.
How much does it cost to hire a California wrongful death lawyer?
InjuryClaim.Law handles wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. This generally means attorney fees are paid only if compensation is recovered, according to the terms of the representation agreement. We also provide free, confidential consultations so families can discuss their legal options without upfront legal fees.
How long does a wrongful death case take?
Every wrongful death case is different. The timeline depends on factors such as the complexity of the investigation, the number of parties involved, insurance coverage issues, the need for expert testimony, and whether the case settles or proceeds to trial. Some claims resolve through negotiation, while others require litigation.
Why choose InjuryClaim.Law for a California wrongful death claim?
Wrongful death cases require compassionate communication, meticulous investigation, and careful preparation. InjuryClaim.Law represents families throughout California, conducts thorough investigations, works with qualified experts when appropriate, and prepares every case for negotiation or trial when necessary.