El Segundo Wrongful Death Lawyer
The difference between a death and a wrongful death is if the death was caused by either negligence or a wrongful act. A wrongful act means a person caused the death with the immoral nature of their actions that led to the death.
Often, in the event of a death that was caused by malicious intent or negligence, the party that caused the death is being prosecuted by the justice system for the crime. A wrongful death suit happens completely independent of any criminal cases and can happen at the same time the criminal case is proceeding. The wrongful death case is also filed by the family members of the deceased party, while in a criminal case the case is being filed by the state.
If you lost a loved one and believe there was negligence or malicious intent involved, you need to consult an El Segundo wrongful death attorney. Call The Ryan Law Group at (310) 299-9550. We offer free consultations.
How Long After the Death Do You Need to File?
California’s statute of limitations requires you to file your wrongful death lawsuit within two years. Unlike other types of personal injury suits, the statute of limitations for wrongful death is often quite strict, as the date of death provides a definitive date to mark when the suit should be filed.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?
Wrongful death claims are most often filed by an immediate family member, such as a spouse, domestic partner, or child. A claim can also be made by a secondary group that includes parents, siblings, or stepchildren, if they can prove that the death had financial consequences in their life.
What are the Damages in a Wrongful Death Case?
The immediate considerations for damages in a wrongful death suit concern the costs involved in burial and medical expenses. These are costs directly associated with the act that took the person’s life.
But often the larger monetary damages can be for the loss of income from the deceased, the loss of their responsibilities to the affairs of the family, and most importantly, the loss of that person being in their life.
When to Consult an Injury Lawyer
If you have lost a loved one in El Segundo and you believe there to be some sort of negligence or malicious intent involved, you need to consult a wrongful death attorney. At The Ryan Law Group, our personal injury lawyers work completely on a contingency basis and do not collect any fees unless a favorable monetary outcome results from your case.
We have seasoned trial lawyers and expert paralegals to help you navigate your situation to find the largest settlement for you. Contact us today to discuss the specifics of your case.