Baldwin Park Wrongful Death Attorneys | Fatal Accident Lawyers

After losing someone to a sudden accident, it’s comforting to be surrounded by your loved ones. However, a passionate attorney can also provide support, guidance, and advice during these challenging times. Not only can our Baldwin Park wrongful death attorneys oversee the logistics of your wrongful death lawsuit, but they can also take steps to make this process as stress-free and simple as possible for you and your family. At HPIL, we’ve dedicated our practice to representing the injured, helping our clients achieve successful outcomes in a wide variety of different personal injury and wrongful death cases. If you would like to speak to an attorney, call us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS.

Common Mistakes You Should Avoid When Filing a Wrongful Death Suit

Losing a loved one to a preventable accident is an earth-shattering moment. From one day to the next, it can be difficult to stay calm as you’re overwhelmed by pain, grief, and anger at those responsible. However, if you’re planning to file a wrongful death lawsuit, you will have to consider every action carefully. Even a minor oversight could lead to disputes, delays, or even the outright denial of your claim. Let’s take a look at some of the errors you should avoid:

• You Gave the Insurer a Recorded Statement: Once you initiate your claim, it’s likely the insurer will ask you to provide a recorded statement. They may insist that they won’t approve your claim until you’ve done so. However, until you’ve had a chance to investigate the accident and assess your losses, there’s always the risk that you might say something inaccurate or that contradicts other evidence in your case. Ultimately, the insurer is looking for any reason to reduce or deny your claim and will likely use compromising statements as evidence to dispute liability and damages. At HPIL, our attorneys can oversee all dialogue with opposing parties so that you can focus on other matters.
• You Took Too Long to File a Lawsuit: It can take months to build a strong case, and proceedings could take weeks—if not just as many months—to resolve. Unfortunately, time often isn’t on your side. In the state, there are strict deadlines for bringing personal injury and wrongful death suits. If you attempt to file a lawsuit after the clock has run out, it’s likely the courts will refuse to hear your case. Additionally, much of the evidence in a wrongful death case may be time sensitive. As such, you should take steps to gather this proof as soon as possible before it is destroyed, altered, or becomes unavailable.
• You Agreed to an Unreasonable Settlement: A financial award in a wrongful death suit is meant to help the deceased’s surviving family members recover what was lost due to their relative’s death. This can include a wide range of damages, from the deceased’s medical expenses prior to their passing to the wages they would’ve earned had they survived. Agreeing to a settlement offer that does not account for all recoverable losses could leave you in a precarious financial position as you might not have the funds you need to get your life back on track. At HPIL, our legal team can help conduct a thorough investigation into your loved one’s death, gather the necessary evidence, and estimate fair compensation for what you’ve lost.

How Much Is My Wrongful Death Claim Worth?

While no amount of money can make up for the pain, grief, and anger of losing a loved one, a financial award can be a lifeline in these challenging times, giving you the funds you need to pick up the pieces in the wake of this tragic loss. Let’s take a look at a few factors that could influence the value of your financial award: 

• The Circumstances Surrounding the Accident: If the party liable for your loved one’s death acted extremely recklessly, intentionally, or attempted to cover up their actions, and you can show that the deceased survived momentarily after the accident, you might be able to seek punitive damages as part of a survival action.
• The Deceased’s Projected Career Trajectory: How many more years was the deceased set to work? Was he or she on their way to a promotion? How much was he or she expected to earn? Unless your lost loved one had already retired prior to their passing, you may be able to recover compensation for the income and benefits he or she would have provided to you and your family had they survived. Our attorneys may consult with financial and vocational experts to outline the deceased’s expected career trajectory and the value of any income they would’ve generated through working and other means.
• The Deceased’s Household Contributions: Did your loved one take care of the household, cook meals, or look after the children? Whether you had to step in and take on these responsibilities by yourself, or hire someone to help lighten the load, you may be able to recover compensation for the cost of such replacement services. 

Speak to a Baldwin Park Wrongful Death Attorney

If you lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, turn to the attorneys at HPIL. If you cannot come to our offices, we will come to you. Reach out to us at 1-800-GO-HARRIS or head over to our contact page to book a free case assessment.