San Fernando Valley Wrongful Death Cases

Wrongful Death Claims and Lawsuits

The unexpected death of a loved one can be one of the hardest things a person can experience in life, and in the aftermath of such a tragedy many people wonder how their lives will ever feel normal again. It is very difficult for most people to make sense out of their loved one's death, especially when it could have been prevented if a person had not been careless or reckless.

Even though nothing can hold a candle to your loved one, and not much can be done to help your grief except time, there are legal actions that can be taken against a person if they are in any way responsible for causing the death. Many times, negligence can lead to a person's death, and in these cases a San Fernando Valley personal injury attorney can help file a wrongful death suit to hold the responsible party liable for damages incurred by the surviving family.

In a successful wrongful death case, compensation will be provided to help surviving family members pay for funeral expenses, burial expenses, hospital bills from the time of accident until death, and to provide for current and future financial needs of the family.

Who can sue for wrongful death in San Fernando Valley?

Wrongful death claims may be filed by individuals who are deemed to be "real parties in interest." In some cases, this may be abundantly clear as the surviving family members will be the one who are suing; however, these cases can enter into a legally gray area where a lot of questions may arise. Although the laws change often and will vary from state-to-state, some of the people who may be eligible to sue include, but are not always limited to, the following:

Immediate Family Members. These are the most obvious and include current spouses and children, as well as those who are adopted into the immediate family. In some cases, parents of children who were never married are eligible to file a wrongful death case.

Life Partners and Dependents. Second, those who depend on the decedent, no matter whether they are a domestic or life partner, who has received financial support from the decedent, as well as those who, in good faith, believed that they were married (known as "putative spouses").

Distant Family Members. In some situations, relatives outside of the immediate family circle are able to pursue a wrongful death claim. This could be siblings, grandparents, and other relatives who were close; for example, an aunt who raised the decedent may be able to file a lawsuit.

Individuals Suffering Financially. Beyond that, in special circumstances, individuals who are deemed to have suffered financially may be able to see to file a claim. This could be someone who was not related by blood or through marriage for the support that they will no longer receive.

Wrongful Death Cases in the San Fernando Valley

Losing a loved one in an avoidable accident is one of the most tragic situations that one can ever experience. Unfortunately, there are many different accidents and injuries that can lead to a person's wrongful death, including the following:

No matter what circumstances surround your loved one's death, if negligence is suspected to have caused the death, a lawyer will perform a thorough investigation to find out the true cause of the accident and/or death. Once negligence has been established, your attorney will take the necessary legal actions against whoever is responsible and will fight to make sure they provide compensation.

Contact a San Fernando Valley personal injury lawyer today to discuss the wrongful death of your loved one.