Los Angeles Wrongful Death Attorney
Advocating For Families Dealing With Tragedy
Losing a loved one through the negligence or wrongdoing of another is a tragedy that is painful beyond measure. A wrongful death claim is a legal avenue to seek justice for your loved one, hold responsible parties accountable, and seek compensation for your family’s future. Call Zakaryan Law Group in Encino, California today to learn about your legal options through a consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys.
If you are unsure where to turn after losing a loved one to a preventable accident, contact the wrongful death attorneys at Zakaryan Law Group. We can focus on obtaining compensation and justice for your loved one through a California wrongful death lawsuit allowing you and your family the opportunity to grieve and recover from your loss. We will make the process as stress-free as possible for you.
Learn more about a potential wrongful death claim today by simply calling (818) 399-7922 or contact us online today to schedule a free initial consultation with a compassionate Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer at Zakaryan Law Group for assistance during this difficult time.
Wrongful death is the most devastating possible outcome of someone else’s negligence in Los Angeles. At Zakaryan Law Group our experienced attorneys have the knowledge, skills, and resources to handle every aspect of your wrongful death claim while you mourn the loss of your loved one. We can:
- Investigating the accident
- Collecting evidence or proof of negligence
- Determining the defendant(s)
- Obtaining the decedent’s medical records
- Dealing with confusing claim documents
- Proving the victim’s and family’s losses
- Building a case against the defendant(s)
- Demanding maximum compensation from insurance companies
- Taking the claim to trial in LA County, if necessary
Hiring a Los Angeles personal injury attorney experienced in wrongful death cases can give you the ability to go up against one or more at-fault parties after a fatal accident.
Wrongful death is the basis of a civil action filed for the benefit of surviving family members of a deceased person against the party or parties responsible for a death caused by negligence or intentional harm. This is a special type of personal injury lawsuit, typically filed by the personal representative of the estate of the deceased.
Wrongful death claims arise when personal injury results in death. Common causes of wrongful death include:
- Car Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Slip And Fall Injuries
- Medical Malpractice Accidents
- Construction Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Firearm Accidents
- Defective & Dangerous Products
- Criminal Acts
A wrongful death lawsuit in California can be filed after someone is killed by another party’s negligence, misconduct, or illegal activity. Generally, surviving close family members will have the right to make a claim for damages in such cases.
If you’ve been hurt on someone else’s property, quick action is essential to preserving your legal rights. First, document as much about the injury – and the hazardous property condition – as you can. Take pictures, record video, and save your medical bills. This documentation will be necessary when it comes time to calculate your damages. That includes keeping records about missed work and any other expenses or losses associated with your injury.
Next, regardless of the specific circumstances of your accident, if it took place on someone else’s property, once your medical needs have been met, do not delay in contacting a skilled Zakaryan Law Group Los Angeles premises liability lawyer. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can analyze and preserve evidence of your accident (and any other accidents that may have occurred at the same location) which can be helpful in building your case and negotiating the maximum compensation you deserve.
In California, specific laws restrict who has the legal right to file a wrongful death claim. If you are not a qualifying party or the representative of the estate, unfortunately, you may not have the opportunity to seek wrongful death damages. Only certain relatives of the deceased person may file wrongful death lawsuits under California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60:
- A surviving spouse or domestic partner
- Surviving children
- Anyone entitled to the property by intestate succession
- Putative spouse
- Children of a putative spouse
- Stepchildren or minor children
- Parents
This is the general order in which surviving family members have the right to bring wrongful death claims. Putative spouses and those below them on the list will only be able to bring claims if they can show they were financially dependent on the decedent. Someone may file a claim through intestate succession only if no surviving person exists within the decedent’s direct line of descent.
An important law called a statute of limitations presides over all wrongful death cases in California. This is the maximum amount of time a victim has to bring a cause of action. It is critical to obey your statute of limitations, as almost all cases brought after the deadline are rejected by the courts. Only a few rare exceptions to the rule exist.
In California, the statute of limitations on a wrongful death case is two years from the date of the accident (California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1). You must file your claim within two years of the accident if you wish to have a valid lawsuit, in most cases. If you didn’t notice your injury until a date after that of the accident, the clock will start on the date of discovery. Discuss your accident with an attorney as soon as possible to make sure you meet your filing deadline
However, California does have a few exceptions that may allow for an extension, such as:
This includes the plaintiff being:
- A Minor
- Out-of-state
- Incarcerated
- Legally Insane
- Incapacitated
With only some exceptions, the courts in California will refuse to hear an injury claim that is filed after the expiration of the statute of limitations. This is why it is important to consult with a experienced wrongful death attorney in Los Angeles as soon as possible after the event. An attorney can quickly go to work on your case to make sure that your lawsuit is filed before the deadline.
In a wrongful death lawsuit, the damages recovered primarily seek to compensate for the losses and harm sustained by the deceased’s family members as a direct result of their loved one’s untimely death. Economic Damages may form a significant portion of the compensation. These quantifiable damages can include lost wages that the deceased would have earned in their lifetime, medical expenses related to the deceased’s final illness or injury, and the costs associated with funeral and burial services.
Non-economic damages, although harder to quantify, are even more significant in a wrongful death claim. They compensate for the loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, and moral support. In cases involving a deceased parent, the loss of guidance and training might also be considered.
If you lost a loved one in a wrongful death accident in Los Angeles, you could be eligible for other types of compensation, such as the costs of a funeral or burial, the loved one’s lost future income and inheritance, and compensation for the loss of the victim’s love, support and companionship.
Call our law firm right away to learn about your legal options and speak with a Los Angeles Wrongful Death Lawyer at Zakaryan Law Group during a free case evaluation. We are here to intervene in your case and begin helping you on your road to recovery.
Losing a loved one is a heart-wrenching experience, and while no compensation can truly replace their presence, it’s crucial to seek justice and hold responsible parties accountable. Our dedicated team at Zakaryan Law Group is here to support and guide you. If you believe you have a wrongful death case, don’t hesitate to contact us and ensure your rights are protected.
Zakaryan Law Group offers compassionate and dedicated legal support to families facing the aftermath of a wrongful death. Our experienced personal injury legal team of attorneys can handle your wrongful death claim to seek justice for your loved one while you focus on recovering from your loss. Reach out to us for a consultation, and let us assist you through this challenging time with our professional expertise.
To learn more about the amount and types of damages available after a wrongful death claim, please feel free to call us at (818) 399-7922 or contact us online for a free consultation today. Serving the greater Los Angeles area.
