Skilled Los Angeles Wrongful Death Attorneys

There are many personal injury scenarios that can lead to a wrongful death in the event that the victim dies. A vehicle-pedestrian collision in which the victim dies and the vehicle’s driver was at fault would be grounds for a wrongful death claim. A fatal slip-and-fall accident where the property owner knew about the slip risk ahead of time but did not act would similarly be grounds for a wrongful death case.

In terms of sheer numbers, car accidents and vehicle collisions are the most common incidents leading to wrongful death claims. When the victim’s death is directly caused by a collision and the driver was impaired, distracted, aggressive, or negligent in car maintenance, the victim’s family may decide to move forward with a wrongful death claim.

It goes without saying that a wrongful death is a tragedy without parallel. Someone has lost a child, parent, sibling, or friend due to the negligence of another. Beyond the grief they feel and emotional toll on the victim’s family, they now must also face medical bills, end-of-life costs, and funeral / burial costs for their loved ones. Those costs are only exacerbated by the lost income of the deceased, who may have been the primary contributor to the family.

A wrongful death claim cannot bring back the deceased. But, it can ease the burden of their passing and help their family start the healing process without worrying about medical debt or end-of-life costs. For others, a wrongful death claim may either be a way of getting justice for their loved one or making sure that the accident that killed them never happens again.

In short, the family of the deceased. This includes a spouse or domestic partner; any children; or—in the event that none of those parties exist—the person who would receive the estate of the deceased, which may include the victim’s parents or siblings. In California, if they can prove they were financially reliant on the deceased, putative spouses and their children, as well as stepchildren, can also make a wrongful death claim.

The shock and horror of losing a loved one before their time is often overwhelming for their family. Not only must they spend time processing their own grief, but they also need to see to end-of-life care, funeral arrangements, and any wills left by the victim. For very understandable reasons, a wrongful death claim is often not a priority.

However, it is important for families to start work with a Los Angeles wrongful death attorney in the months following the victim’s death. First, the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is only two years. While that may sound like a long time to get your affairs in order, it can go by quickly. Second, it is important for the attorneys at Blair & Ramirez LLP to begin our investigation into the wrongful death. We will want to speak with witnesses, collect video and photo evidence, and review the results of any police reports

Wrongful death cases can be complex and are more likely to go to trial than most other personal injury cases, which have the potential to be settled out-of-court so long as the victim receives maximum compensation.

The circumstances of the wrongful death—whether it occurred on the road, at a construction site, or in a shopping mall—influence the California laws and requirements needed to prove negligence. As an example, slip-and-fall claims require proof that the property owner or manager knew or should have known about the hazard ahead of the accident.

Wrongful death claims and suits are civil cases. However, depending on the situation, there may also be a criminal case in progress. An impaired driver who kills a pedestrian may be facing both a wrongful death suit and criminal charges simultaneously.