Los Angeles Wrongful Death Attorneys

Standing Up for Families Who Lost Loved Ones to Negligence

In the United States alone, there are 146,500 accident-related deaths on average every year, making death from unintentional injuries the fourth-leading cause of fatalities. Many people who suddenly die in unexpected circumstances leave behind spouses, children, parents, and other loved ones who never imagined they would face such a tragedy. In the wake of these sudden financial and emotional losses, surviving family members may not know how to proceed.

At Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP, our Los Angeles wrongful death lawyers can represent the surviving family members of wrongful death victims. Although some wrongful death claims seem straightforward, defendants will almost always fight aggressively against liability for a death. During the difficult time after a loved one passes, family members may benefit from a law firm that has the resources and experience to fight for justice on their behalf.

If your loved one recently suffered fatal injuries in an accident in Los Angeles or anywhere in California, please do not wait to call us at (866) 634-4525 to discuss whether we can help.

Eligibility for a Wrongful Death Claim

Generally, only close family members can bring a wrongful death lawsuit. However, because there are other possible parties who may be eligible for a claim in certain circumstances, it’s important to review your case with a qualified attorney. An experienced wrongful death attorney can evaluate your relationship to your loved one and help determine whether you have a valid legal claim.

California’s wrongful death statute permits the following surviving relatives to bring a wrongful death action:

• A spouse or domestic partner
• Children
• Other heirs, such as parents or siblings
• The personal representative of the person’s estate

Additional people may also have the right to bring wrongful death lawsuits if they depended financially on the deceased person.

Such people include:

• A putative spouse or a putative spouse’s children (Putative spouse means someone who believed that he or she was married to the deceased person, even though the marriage was not valid)
• Stepchildren
• Parents

Statute of Limitations in California Wrongful Death Cases

There is a specific amount of time in which a wrongful death lawsuit must be filed. This is known as the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits is not the same in each state.

In California, the statute of limitations is two years for most situations.

If a healthcare provider was negligent, however, the statute of limitations is three years from the date the patient was injured or one year after the plaintiff should have discovered the injury — whichever one of these occurs first. Finally, if the lawsuit is based on tort liability, then the claim against the government must be filed within six months.

As you can see, there are many factors to consider when it comes to the statute of limitations for wrongful death cases in California. At Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP, we understand that this is a difficult time for you. Having to deal with the wrongful death of a loved can make trying to muddle through the legal work especially hard. Let us help.

Our attorneys are compassionate and caring, but they are also aggressive litigators when needed. We work diligently for our clients, whether that means answering questions, reviewing settlement offers, or fighting for our clients in court.

Helping Clients Recover for All of Their Losses

The primary purpose of a wrongful death claim is to compensate surviving family members for various losses suffered due to the death of their loved one. Generally, family members can seek compensation for economic and non-economic losses, though the damages available depend on the circumstances—and every case is unique.

Economic Damages for Wrongful Death

Economic damages compensate families for financial losses that bills, receipts, pay statements, and other financial documents can verify. Courts may also award economic damages that represent the value of lost future earnings or even lost household services. For example, if a spouse would likely have worked another 30 years, the surviving spouse may seek 30 years’ worth of lost future income, factoring in expected increases in wages, inflation, and other factors over time. These calculations often require the assistance of economic and occupational experts, which our attorneys use on a regular basis.

Economic damages may include:

• Burial expenses
• Funeral expenses
• Costs of medical care provided to the loved one before death
• Lost income of the loved one

Non-Economic Damages

No amount of money can ever replace the presence of a spouse, parent, or child, but courts may award additional compensation for the loss of love, affection, companionship, moral support, and when appropriate, sexual intimacy. If a case does not settle pre-trial, the jury may determine the amount necessary to compensate a family for the loss of their relationship with their loved one.

Taking legal action after a wrongful death is never easy, especially when you’re dealing with grief and adjusting to life without a family member. However, standing up for your legal rights does not have to mean taking on additional stress. Our Los Angeles wrongful death lawyers aim to take as much stress away from our clients during a difficult time and advocate on their behalf.

Contact Our California Wrongful Death Law Firm Today

Bringing a wrongful death claim can hold responsible parties accountable for the tragic death, and give family members a sense of justice and closure. At Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP, our Los Angeles attorneys are prepared to explain the process to you and listen to your story with compassion. We have handled wrongful death cases involving many different scenarios—from auto collisions to workplace accidents to deadly police misconduct. We strive for the moment when our lawyers can help a family move forward after a death and into a better position than when they first called our office.

To explore your legal options with one of our compassionate attorneys, give us a call at (866) 634-4525 today.