Palo Alto Wrongful Death Attorneys

If you’ve lost a loved one in a tragic accident, your life will never be the same. We understand this, and we know that no amount of monetary compensation can bring your loved one back. The law is meant to be not a remedy for grief, but rather, a tool to help you manage your family’s affairs in the wake of a devastating accident. At Harris Personal Injury lawyers, our wrongful death lawyers are here to help you get back on your feet financially so that you can properly grieve.

What is a Wrongful Death Claim?

Wrongful death claims compensate bereaved family members when someone else’s negligence results in an untimely death. The law is constructed to bring justice to families in these situations. In California, the personal representative or heirs of the decedent’s estate can bring a wrongful death claim. Damages in a wrongful death case can help family members recover the expenses necessary to handle the administration of the estate, cover funeral bills, and handle other expenses stemming from the accident. Compensation varies based on the circumstances, however, the two most common types of damages are compensatory damages and exemplary damages.

• Compensatory damages cover both economic and non-economic losses. An example of an economic loss is lost income, property damage, and medical expenses, while a non-economic injury would involve emotional trauma, distress, and pain and suffering.  
• On the other hand, exemplary damages, also known as “punitive damages,” are applied in a few unique circumstances in which the other party’s conduct was extremely negligent or egregious. Judges award exemplary damages at their discretion.

What Do Wrongful Death Lawyers Do?

When you’ve lost a loved one, hiring a lawyer is probably the last thing on your mind. However, our wrongful death attorneys offer free consultations, so you have nothing to lose by meeting with us. When we sit down for the first time, we will advise you as to whether you have a case, what type of compensation you can pursue, and how pursuing a claim can help you.

Gathering Evidence

In seeking compensation for your claim, our attorneys can help you collect and present critical evidence to support your case. 

Preserving Your Claim 

In communicating with insurance adjusters, it’s not uncommon for claimants to inadvertently make claims that harm their chances of recovery. For instance, you may admit fault or overlook valuable evidence that can bolster your claim and earn you a higher settlement amount. Our experienced lawyers will help you avoid these mistakes so that you can keep your claim intact. It should be up to you – not the other party – to determine whether (and how) you want to proceed with your case. 

Handling Insurance Correspondence 

To protect your case, it is best to let skilled attorneys handle correspondence with insurance adjusters so that they cannot take anything you say out of context. 

Our Wrongful Death Lawyers Offer Free Case Consultations Daily

The attorneys at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers have a history of representing the family members of wrongful death victims. Our compassionate attorneys can take over the logistics of your case so that you can properly grieve.  To schedule a free case consultation with us, we welcome you to send us a message online or to call our 24-hour phone line at 1-800-GO-HARRIS. If you cannot make it to our office, we will come to you.