Los Angeles Wrongful Death Lawyer

Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is a devastating experience that may leave your family with grief, financial uncertainty, and many unanswered questions. Your Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer with Triumph Law has 20+ years of trial experience and is committed to fighting for the justice your family deserves.

As your Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, our firm will hold the at-fault party accountable and pursue full compensation for your losses, so do not hesitate to call our office today to schedule your free consultation.

Accidents and Incidents That Can Lead to Wrongful Death Claims

If you lost a beloved family member because of someone else’s negligence, you may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim. 

Identifying the cause of death is the first step in determining liability and holding the responsible party accountable.

Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

High-speed crashes, head-on collisions, and rollovers frequently result in fatal injuries. When a reckless or impaired driver causes a deadly accident, their negligence can form the basis of a wrongful death claim. If your loved one was killed in a preventable crash, a compassionate car accident lawyer with Triumph Law may be able to help you seek maximum compensation for your loss.

If someone else’s negligence caused your loved one’s death, proving fault is essential to securing compensation. Evidence such as accident reports, medical records, and expert testimony can help establish how the fatal incident occurred. Investigating safety violations, company policies, and witness statements may further support your case.

Comparative negligence laws may affect how much compensation you can receive in a wrongful death lawsuit. If your loved one was partially at fault, damages may be reduced based on their percentage of liability. California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 allows surviving family members to pursue financial recovery, even if partial fault is assigned to the deceased.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California

California law specifies which family members are eligible to file a wrongful death claim. If your loved one’s death resulted from someone else’s negligence, you may have the right to seek damages. Only certain individuals can file a claim, and eligibility is determined by legal and financial dependence on the deceased.

Spouses, children, and dependent relatives may be entitled to compensation. If the deceased was married, the surviving spouse is typically the first eligible party. If no spouse is present, children, parents, or other dependents may file a claim on behalf of the family.

The legal statute establishes who can pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. This law outlines the process for seeking compensation, including medical expenses, lost financial support, and emotional suffering. If your family member’s death was caused by negligence, working with a Los Angeles wrongful death attorney can help you file your claim to provide the financial relief you need.

Compensation Available in a Wrongful Death Case

Losing a loved one due to negligence can place a significant financial burden on your family. If someone else’s wrongful actions caused the death, you may be entitled to seek compensation through a wrongful death claim. The damages awarded in these cases are meant to cover financial losses and emotional suffering and, in some cases, punish the responsible party.

Economic Damages

Economic damages compensate for the financial impact of a wrongful death. These damages cover medical expenses, funeral costs, and lost income that the deceased would have provided to their family. The goal of economic damages is to help survivors recover from the financial hardship caused by the loss.

Medical costs may include hospital bills, emergency treatments, and ongoing care provided before the death occurred. Funeral and burial expenses can also be recovered, helping families cover the costs associated with memorial services and final arrangements. Lost financial support includes the deceased’s expected future earnings, benefits, and any other monetary contributions they would have made.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages address the emotional and psychological impact of losing a loved one. These damages compensate for the pain and suffering experienced by surviving family members. While they do not have a fixed financial value, they are often a significant part of a wrongful death claim.

Loss of companionship covers the emotional impact of losing a spouse, parent, or child. Survivors may also be compensated for the loss of guidance and emotional support the deceased would have provided. Mental suffering, including anxiety, depression, and trauma, may also be considered when calculating non-economic damages.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages may be awarded in wrongful death cases involving reckless or intentional misconduct per California Civil Code § 3294. These damages are not meant to compensate the family but rather to punish the responsible party and prevent similar behavior in the future. Courts may award punitive damages when the defendant’s actions were particularly egregious.

Punitive damages often apply in cases involving drunk driving, workplace safety violations, or deliberate harm. If the responsible party acted with extreme negligence or engaged in criminal behavior, the court may impose additional financial penalties. These damages are meant to send a strong message that reckless or intentional misconduct will not be tolerated.

Consult With Your Wrongful Death Lawyer in Los Angeles Today

Wrongful death claims are complex, but your family deserves justice and financial security after a tragic loss. Your wrongful death attorney in Los Angeles from Triumph Law will guide you through the legal process and fight for the compensation you and your family are entitled to receive. 

Learn more about our firm today and discuss the specific circumstances of your case when you contact our office to request a free, no-obligation consultation.