Arcadia Wrongful Death Attorneys

After losing a loved one, it’s difficult to describe the grief and pain you may be feeling. However, if their death was due to another’s negligence, you may also feel angry and frustrated at those responsible. While filing a wrongful death lawsuit cannot turn back time, it can at least help you hold the at-fault parties financially responsible for their actions. If you’ve recently lost someone to an accident, our Arcadia wrongful death attorneys are here to help guide you through the challenging days ahead. We are available 24 hours a day to take your calls—even on weekends. If you are unable to visit our offices, we can send our attorneys out to meet you. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS to lock in a free initial consultation.

How Much Is My Wrongful Death Claim Worth?

Money may be the furthest thing from your mind after hearing that you’ve lost a loved one. However, as weeks go by, and you find yourself face to face with an insurmountable tally of medical debts, funeral expenses, and lost earnings, the financial impact of losing a family member becomes all too clear. If your relative’s death was the result of another party’s negligence, you may be able to seek compensation for what you’ve lost. While no amount of money can bring back your loved one, a wrongful death suit can help you hold the at-fault parties accountable for the damage they’ve done. Understandably, one of your first questions might be, “How much is my wrongful death case worth?” Unfortunately, we cannot promise a specific outcome in your case—no attorney can. We can, however, help investigate the circumstances surrounding your family member’s death; gather and compile the necessary evidence to prove liability, causation, and damages; and provide tenacious representation during settlement negotiation, litigation, or trial. Let’s explore a few types of damages you may be able to recover as part of your claim: 

• The Deceased’s Medical Expenses: If your loved one did not die immediately in the accident, it’s likely he or she was admitted to hospital and received treatment. From ambulance trips to procedures to nursing care, medical costs can add up quickly. Whether the deceased covered these costs, or you and other members of your family were forced to chip in, you may be able to recover compensation for such expenses.

• Funeral and Burial Costs: Burying a loved one isn’t just a heartbreaking experience; it can also be financially devastating. From the casket to the service itself, organizing a funeral can often cost thousands of dollars. Fortunately, as a plaintiff you have a right to seek compensation for such expenses. As such, you should compile any funeral-related receipts and invoices to share with your attorney during the initial consultation.

• Lost Income and Future Benefits: Was the deceased just beginning a new career? Or was he or she set to retire? How much was the deceased earning prior to their death? What benefits did the deceased receive? For those who depend on the deceased financially, a loved one’s death may not only mark the end of the companionship they once provided, but also a lifetime of earnings and benefits. As such, you may be able to recover compensation for the income the deceased would have generated had he or she survived. At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we call on vocational experts and economists to help build a timeline of the deceased’s expected career trajectory and estimate the value of any lost earnings.

• Loss of Household Contributions: Did the deceased take care of the children, prepare meals, or tackle chores around the home? After their death, you may have had to step in to take on their former responsibilities. It’s an immense burden for anyone—especially someone who has just lost a loved one. As such, many family members have to pay for services such as alternative transportation and childcare to make it from one day to the next. Based on the circumstances surrounding your case, such costs could be factored into the potential recovery.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California?

If you’ve already spent time researching wrongful death lawsuits, you know that this can be an incredibly complicated area of the law. Not only do laws differ from state to state, but an abundance of legal jargon and complex terms can make it difficult to determine whether you have a right to seek damages after losing a loved one. At HPIL, our wrongful death attorneys can handle the logistics of your case, so you won’t have to worry about tackling this daunting task on your own. We offer compassionate representation, prioritizing the needs of our clients to ensure proceedings are as simple and stress-free as possible. Let’s look at who may be entitled to compensation for a wrongful death under California’s laws:

• The deceased’s surviving children or step-children;
• The deceased’s spouse or domestic partner;
• The deceased’s parents or siblings;
• Grandchildren, grandparents, or anyone else with the legal right to inherit the deceased’s estate if the victim did not have a formal will;
• Personal representatives of the deceased’s estate; or
• Minors who relied on the deceased financially or lived with the deceased for 180 days or more.

Speak to a Wrongful Death Attorney in Arcadia

From gathering evidence to negotiating a settlement, filing a wrongful death lawsuit can be a full-time undertaking. When you hire us to oversee your case, we will grab the reins so that you are not burdened with this time-consuming obligation in your moment of grief. Click through to our contact form HERE or dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS to schedule a free consultation.