Wrongful Death
Losing a loved one because of negligence or worse is an absolutely devastating experience. Wrongful death cases often arise from negligent, reckless, criminal, or random acts of another person, so each case has unique challenges and claims. When these tragedies happen, we pursue all possible damages that may be available to the surviving family members, spouses, or estate.
10 Common Causes of Wrongful Death Cases
Car Accidents: Tragically, fatal car accidents are all too common in Southern California. Reckless drivers, impaired driving, or defective vehicle components can lead to accidents and wrongful death claims.
Medical Malpractice: Negligent actions by medical professionals, such as surgical errors, misdiagnoses, or medication mistakes, can result in a patient's death, leading to medical malpractice and wrongful death claims against the facility or facilities involved.
Defective Products: Dangerous products, from faulty appliances to malfunctioning devices, contaminated food, and exposure to hazardous and deadly ingredients, can kill, and when this happens you may be able to pursue a product liability wrongful death case.
Premises Liability: Accidents on public or private property, inadequate security, and other hazardous conditions on property can be deadly and can lead to wrongful death claims against property owners.
Criminal Acts: Homicides or assaults can be the basis for wrongful death cases. In these tragic cases, the perpetrator, or agency, may be held criminally and civilly liable for the loss of life.
Pharmaceutical Negligence: Wrongful death may occur due to harmful drugs or defective medical devices. Families can pursue compensation from pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers.
Nursing Home Abuse: This is becoming more common as our older generations need more aid, and private actors hire substandard or unlicensed people to save costs. Elder neglect, abuse, or inadequate care in these facilities and homes may lead to the untimely death of residents, giving rise to wrongful death claims for the surviving family or spouse.
Aviation Accidents: Fatal plane crashes, whether involving commercial airlines or private aircraft, usually result in wrongful death lawsuits against airlines, manufacturers, or other responsible parties.
Construction Site Accidents: Unsafe construction sites can lead to fatal accidents. Whether the worker is a subcontractor or employee, their unnecessary death can be pursued. Wrongful death claims from construction sites may involve contractors, subcontractors, or property owners.
When these tragedies happen, the surviving family, spouse, and estate may be eligible to receive various types of damages:
Economic Damages: These include compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost wages, and future financial support that the deceased would have provided.
Non-Economic Damages: These encompass intangible losses like pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and emotional distress suffered by surviving family members.
Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme negligence or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the responsible party and deter future misconduct.
Property Damages: If the wrongful death resulted from damage to property, compensation may cover property losses.
Survival Actions: Survival actions pertain to damages the deceased would have been entitled to if they had survived, such as compensation for pain and suffering endured before passing.
It's crucial to consult with experienced wrongful death attorneys to navigate the legal complexities and seek just compensation for your losses. If you've lost a loved one due to someone else's negligence, reach out to our compassionate and dedicated legal team for support during this difficult time. We are here to help you seek the justice you deserve.