If you lost someone in an accident due to the negligent actions of another person, do not hesitate to contact OnderLaw. We might be able to represent you in your case and seek the compensation you deserve.
Catastrophic accidents can have lasting effects on victims and their families. When someone suffers a fatal injury, their surviving relatives must suffer the burden of burial costs, emotional suffering, and various other losses. It can be difficult to grieve when you face the economic strain of paying off medical bills or planning a funeral. You should not have to bear this responsibility when someone else’s negligent actions led to the accident.
At OnderLaw, our Long Beach personal injury lawyers understand how much you’ve suffered since losing your loved one. What you’re going through is unfair, and you deserve to hold the at-fault person or company liable for their actions. We’re ready to take on the complex nature of your wrongful death case and pursue the full and fair compensation you need to move forward with your life.
Call us for a free consultation and learn more about your legal options after the tragic death of a loved one.
Wrongful death is the wrongful act or neglect of one party that causes the death of another. State law allows a surviving family member to pursue a lawsuit against the person or company responsible for their loved one’s death. You likely have various losses you suffered due to the fatal accident, and you deserve to seek the compensation necessary to cover them.
Common types of accidents that can lead to a person’s wrongful death are:
You should not confuse a civil lawsuit with a criminal case. During criminal cases, the state or prosecutor brings charges against one party for the death of another. The intent is to find that person guilty, so they face the consequences, such as imprisonment or fines. A civil lawsuit for wrongful death is intended to make the victim’s family whole. Surviving relatives should receive a financial award to compensate for the loss of care, financial support, and more that results from the loss of their loved one.
Any individual or entity could be held responsible for a person’s death. For example, if you lost your loved one in a car crash, you could hold another driver liable if they caused the accident. You could seek compensation from a business owner if they failed to keep their property in good condition and your relative suffered a fatal fall down their stairs. As long as the party you’re suing contributed directly to the fatal accident, they could be held accountable for what they’ve done and the trauma you experienced.
Multiple individuals can initiate a wrongful death case. They include:
One or multiple people can pursue a lawsuit for the death of a loved one. If there isn’t a surviving spouse, domestic partner, child, or grandchild, whoever is entitled to recover the deceased’s property by intestate succession can file suit.
Along with surviving family members and heirs, other individuals might be able to seek compensation if they can prove that the deceased provided them with financial support. They include:
If you are one of these surviving relatives, it is your right to file a lawsuit. You should not be forced to pay for the costs you incurred due to your loved one’s death if you weren’t at fault for the accident. If someone else was responsible, they should provide the financial means to cover your expenses.
There are multiple losses you can seek in a wrongful death lawsuit in California. The monetary award you receive is meant to pay for your economic losses and compensate for your emotional hardships due to the loss of your loved one.
The available losses include:
The Long Beach wrongful death lawyers of OnderLaw understand the devastation of losing someone you love in an entirely preventable accident. It causes overwhelming grief and can lead to massive debt if you can’t afford the incoming bills. Our legal team will tirelessly work to reach a favorable outcome in your case so you and your family can afford the costs associated with your loved one’s death.
If you want to sue the party that negligently caused your relative’s death, you must follow a timeframe for wrongful death cases. This is called a statute of limitations. It is a strict deadline, and if you fail to file a lawsuit before the statutory deadline expires, you could lose your right to seek compensation through the courts. California has a two-year statute of limitations that begins on the date of the victim’s death.
Two years might seem like plenty of time to prepare a legal case. However, various factors could delay the process. If you decide you want to file an insurance claim first, it could take years to resolve. If the insurance company denies your claim but the statute already expired, you won’t have any other opportunities to hold the at-fault party liable for their misconduct.
That’s why it’s vital that you hire an experienced Long Beach wrongful death lawyer immediately after the fatal accident. It will allow for enough time to investigate what happened, obtain relevant evidence, and explore all options. OnderLaw knows that we’re up against the clock and will pay attention to all necessary deadlines, so you don’t walk away from this matter without the money you’re owed.
Preventable fatalities can occur for many reasons. One of the most common causes of wrongful death cases is motor vehicle crashes. According to traffic accident statistics in Long Beach for 2019, 36 fatal car accidents caused 38 fatalities. In fact, Long Beach ranked 17 out of 20 for the top cities with speeding problems resulting in traffic-related deaths. Commercial trucks also cause a significant number of deaths throughout California. In 2019, fatal collisions involved 5,005 large trucks. Although 17.8% of deaths were truck occupants, 70.8% were non-commercial occupants.
Another common reason for fatalities due to someone’s negligent actions is occupational hazards. Statistics show that a total of 451 people died from fatal occupational injuries in 2019. Of these fatalities, the top contributing factors were transportation incidents, causing 141 deaths, assaults and violent acts, resulting in 94 deaths, and slip/trip and falls, leading to 88 fatalities.
Grieving a loved one’s death is a long and painful process. It becomes even more excruciating when you find out that the person responsible for the fatal accident could have avoided causing harm if they were more careful. Although you might not feel ready to pursue legal action, it’s crucial that you begin your lawsuit immediately. The two-year deadline might come faster than you think, and you don’t want to risk running out of time.
At OnderLaw, our Long Beach wrongful death lawyers know you’re faced with an uphill battle. It could take a while to move forward and come to terms with what happened. Your grief can cloud your judgment and lead to errors that cause you to lose your case. That’s why we believe you’re better off with OnderLaw in your corner. We can take over your entire case from start to finish and handle everything on your behalf.
You should not have to worry about investigating your own family member’s death and trying to locate sufficient evidence to prove who was at fault. Dealing with the complex nature of a wrongful death lawsuit can hinder your own recovery. Your only focus should be on taking care of yourself and your family. Let us do all the heavy lifting so you don’t have to.
The Long Beach wrongful death lawyers of OnderLaw have been fighting on behalf of our clients since 2002. You won’t be alone while you’re healing from your devastating loss. We will stay by your side until the very end to seek the justice you and your loved one rightfully deserve.
We’re available 24/7 to answer your call so you can reach us when you need us. We will provide the ongoing support and guidance you need to put the pieces of your life back together. You can depend on our legal team to treat you as a priority while we’re pursuing the best possible result in your lawsuit.
If someone’s negligence caused your loved one’s death in a catastrophic accident, contact OnderLaw immediately for your free consultation.
