Roseville Wrongful Death Lawyer
When negligence causes the death of a loved one, the surviving family members then have to determine how to move forward and maintain as much of the life they built with the deceased as possible. The at-fault party owes you compensation that could make this possible, and a Roseville wrongful death lawyer can help you receive it.
Losing someone close to you can be a devastating experience, and discovering that another party is responsible can make the loss cut that much deeper. If this is your situation, a Roseville wrongful death lawyer from Crowell Law Offices can help you file a claim and seek the compensation your family needs and deserves.
Dealing with the grief from the loss of a loved one in addition to navigating a wrongful death case can be difficult to handle alone. A qualified attorney can represent your family’s best interests and make sure you get justice on behalf of your deceased family member.
Don’t Wait to Begin the Legal Process
After a major loss, it is understandable that you might not think you have the emotional strength to start court proceedings. You may need time to grieve privately and want to wait to move forward until you feel stronger.
However, it is vital to begin the legal process as soon as possible because, according to the California statute of limitations, you have only two years from the date of the accident to sue an entity for wrongful death. It can be difficult to determine the date at which the clock starts, especially if your loved one died sometime after suffering grievous injuries caused by the other party. That’s why it is vital to talk with a lawyer and get the process started right away.
You might not even be certain that someone else was responsible for your loved one’s death. Or you might think you have already run out of time to file a claim. However, there are many circumstances and details involved in wrongful death cases that only a qualified Roseville wrongful death lawyer can help you figure out.
Who Can Sue for Wrongful Death in California?
You might assume that as a family member or close friend that you can file a wrongful death lawsuit, but that might not be the case. In fact, you are only eligible to file suit if you have one of the following relationships with the deceased:
- Spouse or domestic partner
- Child (or acting on behalf of a child)
- Lawful heir of the person who died
If financial dependency can be demonstrated, then the following relations may also be eligible to file for wrongful death in California:
- Putative spouse
- Children of the putative spouse
- Parents
- Stepchildren
Again, there are different circumstances and details that will need to be examined, so it’s crucial that you consult a Roseville wrongful death lawyer from our office to find out if you are eligible to sue for wrongful death.
Damages for a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Once you’re sure that you are both filing within the proper time frame and eligible to file a wrongful death claim, you must think about the amount of money you will ask for in the settlement. In your grief, you may want a great deal of money to represent just how much you’ve lost since the death of your loved one.
However, it is important to realize that damages are generally awarded based on what can be financially proven, although it might be possible to include certain noneconomic damages. Some of the types of damages you might be able to ask for in a wrongful death case include the following:
- Medical expenses if your loved one received medical care before passing
- Funeral expenses
- The salary and income that your family no longer receives
- Money for any duties that your loved one performed, such as providing care for a sick family member
There could be other types of damages that you can get compensated for, but you will need an experienced Roseville wrongful death lawyer to determine precisely what damages and losses can be included in your lawsuit. Otherwise, you risk overlooking important details that can make a significant difference in the compensation you receive.
A Roseville Wrongful Death Lawyer with Experience
One of the reasons that a Roseville wrongful death lawyer at Crowell Law Offices can be such an effective partner for you is that we can help you arrive at a comprehensive figure for your settlement and then help you obtain this compensation from the at-fault party or their insurance company. However, wrongful death cases aren’t always about money. It’s possible that your case could prevent the same harm from happening to someone else and thereby prevent another family from losing their loved one.
If you have lost someone because of a wrongful death, whether in a car crash or some other accident, you and your family members may be entitled to financial compensation. It won’t bring your loved one back, but it could help you move forward. To schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation, complete the form at the bottom of the page or call our office at 916-303-2800.
