Losing a loved one due to someone’s careless or intentional actions is a devastating experience. Our Culver City wrongful death lawyers believe there must be accountability when a wrongful death occurs – you deserve justice.
We are trial lawyers with a proven record in complex cases – we have recovered over $1.5 billion for our serving clients. Our team of Culver City personal injury lawyers brings over 4 decades of experience in cases like yours.
We offer free consultations, and there are no fees unless we win your case. We understand that losing a loved one is traumatic. Our team has seen firsthand the relief that justice and financial compensation can bring.
When Is a Death Considered “Wrongful?”
A death is considered “wrongful“ when it happens because of someone else‘s careless or intentional actions. In these cases, surviving family members or beneficiaries can file a civil lawsuit to seek financial recovery for the emotional and financial impact caused by the loss.
Our attorneys are committed to providing compassionate guidance and helping you understand your options. We are here to support you in seeking justice and finding a path forward.
If you have experienced the loss of a loved one due to negligence, a Culver City catastrophic injury lawyer from our team can assist you. We are dedicated to helping families pursue the justice they deserve.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California?
Filing a wrongful death lawsuit can provide a grieving family with a sense of justice, but only certain individuals are allowed to take this legal step. California law specifies that those who have directly suffered financial loss can file a claim.
Under § 377.60 of the California Code of Civil Procedure, the following people may be eligible:
- Surviving spouse or domestic partner: In most cases, a spouse or domestic partner of the deceased may file a wrongful death claim.
- Children of the deceased: This includes biological and adopted children, stepchildren, or any child who was financially dependent on the deceased for at least 180 days before their passing.
- Parents of the deceased: If the deceased was a minor or an adult without children, their parents may have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
- Designated legal representative: In situations involving multiple eligible family members, a designated representative can file a unified claim to simplify the process, with any award divided appropriately among the family members.
If you are unsure about your eligibility or need guidance, our Culver City wrongful death attorneys are here to help you understand your rights and options.
Culver City Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me 310-844-9696
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Culver City
In Culver City, wrongful deaths often occur when others fail to act responsibly or cause harm through negligence. These preventable tragedies can leave families devastated, facing emotional pain and financial uncertainty.
Some of the most common causes we handle in wrongful death cases include:
- Car accidents, such as those caused by distracted driving, impaired drivers, road defects, or poor intersection design.
- Workplace accidents that occur due to unsafe conditions or inadequate safety measures.
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents often involving reckless or inattentive drivers.
- Premises liability cases, including slip-and-fall accidents or injuries caused by falling trees or limbs.
- Exposure to asbestos and other dangerous substances.
- Defective products cause fatal injuries.
Wrongful deaths like these are especially heartbreaking because they could have been prevented with proper care.
Our Culver City wrongful death attorneys are here to help families seek justice for their losses, provide legal support, and pursue financial relief to help them rebuild their lives.
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How Our Culver City Wrongful Death Lawyers Establish Liability
To succeed in a wrongful death lawsuit in California, several key elements must be proven:
- Death of a person: It must be shown that an individual has lost their life.
- Negligence or wrongful conduct: The death must have been caused by another party’s careless actions, reckless behavior, or intentional harm.
- Establishing that the death was directly caused by the wrongful actions or negligence of the defendant involves proving four key elements: Duty, breach, causation, and damages.
- Causation: A direct connection between the defendant’s actions and the death must be established, showing their conduct contributed to the loss.
- Breach of duty: The defendant must have owed a duty of care to the deceased and failed to meet that duty. There must be evidence that the defendant failed to uphold their duty of care by acting or failing to act in a way that a reasonable person would not have in similar circumstances. For example, violating traffic laws in a car accident.
- Damages: Surviving family members need to demonstrate the measurable impact of the death, such as medical and funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and emotional suffering.
Proving these elements can be challenging, but our team is here to help you every step of the way.
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What Compensation Can Be Pursued in a Wrongful Death Claim?
Wrongful death claims seek to hold those responsible accountable and provide financial support to surviving family members for tangible expenses and losses. However, they cannot ease the emotional pain of the loss.
To pursue compensation, surviving family members need to show the financial impact caused by their loved one’s passing. This might include:
- Burial and funeral expenses
- Loss of income and financial support from the deceased
- Non-economic damages like pain and suffering a loss of companionship
- Costs for household services the deceased would have provided
- Medical bills, such as those for ambulance rides, hospital stays, and physician care
- Expenses for medications and pain relief
- Lost wages from time missed at work
- Punitive damages
If you are considering a wrongful death claim, our team of attorneys will help you understand the types of compensation you may be entitled to and guide you through the legal process.
Taking the Next Step Toward Justice
Losing someone you love because of another’s actions is incredibly painful, and you shouldn’t have to handle the burden alone. A Culver City wrongful death lawyer from Arias Sanguinetti can help you understand what steps to take and how to seek justice for your loss.
With a proven record of obtaining over $1.5 billion for our clients, Arias Sanguinetti is committed to helping families seek justice and financial recovery. Our team is here to help you understand your rights and pursue a fair outcome.
Reach out to Arias Sanguinetti today to discuss your case and learn how we can assist you. We are ready to stand by your side and provide the support you deserve.
Call or text 310-844-9696 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form