When a person’s death is caused by someone’s negligence or wrongful conduct, California allows an action for wrongful death to be brought against the negligent defendant by the family of the deceased. In a personal injury lawsuit, the injured plaintiff seeks compensation for the damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages, burial expenses and loss of comfort. In the case of wrongful death, the injured plaintiff is the surviving family member.
What Should I Do If A Loved One Has Suffered a Wrongful Death?
If you have lost a loved one in a Wrongful Death accident, please accept our deepest condolences during this difficult time. Your first action should be to find an experienced attorney to help you through this painful process. We recommend these preliminary steps:- CAUSE OF DEATH: One of the most important things you need to do is obtain medical documentation confirming the cause of death. The best way to do this is to request an autopsy.
- COLLECT ALL PERTINENT INFORMATION: This includes any and all medical reports, witness name and contact information, any relevant correspondence (mail, email, letters, etc.) and any other information that may be helpful in determining negligence.
- CONSULT AN ATTORNEY: Once you have obtained the proper medical documentation, an attorney can help you figure out what your options for pursuing a Wrongful Death claim are.