What Constitutes a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

A wrongful death lawsuit is initiated by the family of the deceased and can result from a number of causes of death. A Los Angeles wrongful death attorney will be able to walk you through the process of getting a lawsuit off the ground during this traumatic time in your life, and also help you understand what a wrongful death lawsuit is. Knowing the ins and outs of this type of lawsuit is the first step in getting one right.

A Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer will explain that these types of lawsuits result when a death is caused by the negligence of somebody else. This somebody does not have to be an individual person. It can also be a company or organization whose practices are directly responsible for a loved one’s death. The causes of death that can often result in a lawsuit include, but are not limited to, poor and negligent care in a nursing home or assisted living facility, the recklessness of a drunk or intoxicated driver, a doctor’s failure in diagnosing something potentially fatal and a malfunction in an automobile that results in an accident.

You should contact a wrongful death lawyer in Los Angeles almost immediately any time you feel someone else’s gross negligence caused the passing of your loved one. This is an understandably hard time for you as you experience the grief process, but California places a statute of limitations on wrongful death lawsuits. In general, you have two years from the date of death to file your lawsuit. This may seem like a long time, but the sooner you feel justice may be served, the better. If you miss the statute’s deadline, then your suit will be automatically thrown out of court.

Those entitled to compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit are the surviving spouse and children on the deceased. In some cases, parents and siblings may be entitled to a sum if there were no spouse or children involved. What your monetary award may be based on includes medical and funeral expenses, the cost of the burial, projected future earnings of the deceased, as well as pain and suffering. Many wrongful death attorneys in Los Angeles will not even charge a fee for this kind of case if they do not win. So, financial wise, there is very little risk involved. If you feel your loved one’s death could have been avoided and was caused by someone else, call our offices today to set up an appointment that can lead you on a path to healing.