On top of all the grief you feel after losing a loved one, you’re likely to also face significant financial hardships. Get the compensation you need for a secure future with the help of a Long Beach wrongful death attorney.
The sudden loss of a loved one is always terrible, but it can be even worse if the death was due to someone else’s carelessness. You are likely feeling intense grief and shock over the loss, as well as incredible anger at the responsible party. Don’t let your loved one’s wrongful death go unpunished.
If you believe someone else was responsible for your loved one’s death due to negligence, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. A Long Beach wrongful death lawyer from Haffner Law can investigate your claim and determine how much you are owed for your loss.
Of course, no amount of money could ever bring your loved one back, but it can help you move forward by giving you some financial security for the future. It can also provide you with a sense of justice; you’ll know that the negligent party was held financially responsible for your loved one’s death.
Who Can Sue for Wrongful Death in California?
Wrongful death is a civil matter and has no bearing on what is happening in criminal court with regards to the death of your loved one. Every state has slightly different laws dealing with wrongful death claims and who can file them. In California, many people tied to the deceased can file a wrongful death lawsuit.
The primary parties who may be eligible to file a Long Beach wrongful death claim include the following:
- The deceased person’s spouse
- The deceased person’s children
- The deceased person’s domestic partner
If there is no surviving direct descendent of the deceased person, then a few others who would have ties to the deceased person’s estate can also file a wrongful death suit. Those people include the following:
- The deceased person’s parents
- The deceased person’s siblings
If they can show they were financially dependent upon the deceased at the time of death, various other parties may also be able to file a wrongful death claim in California.
Compensation for Wrongful Death
Many different kinds of personal injury damages can be awarded in a wrongful death case. The damages awarded will depend greatly on the particular circumstances of your case. Some might be monetary damages, directly tied to the monetary losses suffered because of your loved one’s death.
Other damages, however, might be nonmonetary in nature, such as the pain and suffering you experienced as a result of your loved one’s sudden death. Some damages may include your loved one’s estate, whereas other damages may be in relation to the personal losses you suffered as a result of your loved one’s wrongful passing.
Below are a few of the damages that can be awarded in a Long Beach wrongful death case:
- Medical expenses from your loved one’s injury or illness before death
<li “>Funeral and burial costs <li “>Lost wages, including the future lost wages your loved one can reasonably be expected to have earned <li “>Loss of love, companionship, affection, moral support, and guidance
- Loss of financial support
- The value of household services the deceased performed
Deadlines for Filing Wrongful Death Claims
Personal injury cases, including wrongful death, have a time limit on them. This time limit is called the statute of limitations. If you don’t file your claim within the time period allowed under the law, your legal right to file a lawsuit no longer stands. That’s why it is imperative that you contact your Long Beach lawyer as soon as possible.
The time frame for filing a wrongful death lawsuit in California is two years from the date of the incident or injury. You do not want to let this window pass; you need to recoup your losses from your loved one’s death, and a good way to do that is to have your wrongful death attorney help you quickly and correctly file your claim.
Speak with a Long Beach Wrongful Death Attorney
You have suffered greatly because of the death of your family member, and it probably feels like there’s nothing you can do to relieve the burden of the loss. But you can be compensated for your suffering if your loved one’s death was due to someone else’s negligence.
Your loved one would want you to have a secure future, and you deserve to be compensated for the losses you suffered at someone else’s careless hands.
To get started, call a Long Beach wrongful death lawyer with Haffner Law today at 1-844-HAFFNER (423-3637). You may also contact us via the form at the bottom of the page.
