San Francisco Wrongful Death Attorneys

Was your loved one killed in an accident that someone else caused? While nothing can undo the tragedy you’ve experienced, it may be possible to recover the compensation you need to maintain financial security in the wake of the loss. Our San Francisco wrongful death lawyers can review your case for free to determine if you have grounds for a claim. Not only can we gather evidence and manage correspondence with the insurance company, but we can also use proven negotiation strategies to fight for the highest settlement possible. If the opposing party refuses to cooperate, we have the litigation experience to take your case to trial. To get the legal advice you need, call 1-800-GO-HARRIS for a free consultation. We accept wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, so you have nothing to lose by speaking to a member of our team.

Wrongful Death Cases We Handle in San Francisco

• Auto accidents (car, truck, bus, motorcycle, and train accidents)
• Turo and rideshare service accidents
• Boating accidents
• Airplane accidents
• Wrongful death claims involving premises liability
• Other wrongful death claims

How to Prove Damages in a Wrongful Death Case

There are several elements that must be proven to win a settlement or verdict in a wrongful death case. Even if strong evidence exists to prove liability and causation, you won’t be able to recover a single dollar unless your attorney can prove damages. The kinds of damages incurred after a wrongful death can vary from one case to the next. Our highly experienced wrongful death lawyers in San Francisco will consider all potentially recoverable damages when approximating a fair settlement amount. Depending on the circumstances, there may be sufficient grounds for both a wrongful death claim and a survival action. While there are some key differences between these two types of actions—including the kinds of damages that can be pursued—they are often combined and brought to court at the same time. Damages awarded in such cases may include:

• Medical costs resulting from the fatal injury
• Property damage resulting from the accident that caused the wrongful death
• Income the deceased lost between the fatal injury and his or her death
• Punitive damages, if the death was caused by intentional killing that constitutes a felony
• Anticipated financial contributions of the deceased
• Anticipated gifts of benefits from the deceased
• Loss of services provided by the deceased
• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of assistance, advice, protection, and training
• Loss of sexual relations (may be recoverable for the deceased’s spouse)
• Emotional distress (may be recoverable if the claimant witnessed the death of his or her loved one)

There are many kinds of evidence your lawyer might use to prove the types of damages incurred and their value. Such evidence may include:

• Medical Documentation: The deceased’s medical records may be used to prove the cost of healthcare expenses incurred as a result of the fatal injury. Medical documentation may also be used to prove the expected lifespan of the deceased had he or she survived, which can affect the settlement calculations.
• Contractor Estimates: If the deceased’s property was damaged in the accident, your San Francisco wrongful death lawyer might use contractor estimates and receipts to prove the cost of repairs or replacement.
• Financial Records: How much income would the deceased likely have earned if the accident did not happen? Your attorney might use financial records to prove the value of lost financial contributions.
• Expert Witness Deposition: The deposition of a financial expert may be needed to prove the value of lost financial contributions.

• Other Receipts and Invoices: You will need documentation of funeral costs, burial expenses, and related losses in order to recover compensation for those damages.

• The Police Report: If you intend to pursue compensation for emotional distress or punitive damages, the content of the police report will likely serve as valuable evidence.

There are many other kinds of evidence your San Francisco wrongful death attorney might use to prove damages. At the end of the day, every claim is unique, so it’s important that you hire a skilled lawyer who is willing to invest the time and resources needed to build the strongest case possible. At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we always prepare for trial even if we expect to reach an out-of-court settlement. Our comprehensive approach has resulted in more than $300,000,000 in financial awards for our clients.

Contact Us Today to Speak with a Wrongful Death Lawyer in San Francisco

While it’s impossible to attach a monetary value to the life of a loved one, nobody should have to face an uncertain financial future due to a wrongful death in the family. Our attorneys will aggressively fight for the compensation you need to maintain your financial security. Call 1-800-GO-HARRIS or use our Contact Page to schedule a free case assessment.