When the life of a loved one is suddenly taken as a result of the carelessness and negligence of somebody else, surviving family members suffer both emotional and financial losses. Such a fatality falls under the purview of California’s wrongful death statute found at section 377.60 of the California Code of Civil Procedure. That statute provides that damages can be pursued by a decedent’s family members in the event that wrongful death was caused. The statute is civil in nature and not criminal, but a wrongful death case can be brought at the same time as a criminal murder or homicide case.
If you lost a loved one as a result of the carelessness and negligence of somebody else in or around Salinas, you’ll need an aggressive, compassionate, and respected Salinas wrongful death lawyer. You’ll want to arrange for a free confidential consultation and case evaluation with attorney Martin Gasparian at Maison Law as soon as possible.
Types of Wrongful Death Cases in Salinas
Although a wrongful death case might arise from an intentional act, nearly all of such cases involve an accident. Here are just a few of the common types of accidents that can give rise to a wrongful death case?
- Auto, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents.
- Slip-and-falls and trip-and-falls.
- Construction and industrial accidents.
- Agricultural accidents.
- Accidents involving dangerously defective products.
- Nursing home negligence.
- Medical malpractice.
Compensation for the Death of a Loved One
California wrongful death laws allow compensation for losses to both the decedent’s estate and his or her surviving family members. Here are some of the damages that might be recoverable in a wrongful death case:
- Medical bills resulting from the final injury.
- The expenses related to a funeral and burial.
- Lost income that would have been earned by the decedent.
- The value of the decedent’s household contributions.
- Loss of inheritance.
- The loss of the companionship, emotional support, and counsel of the decedent.
Insurance Companies and Wrongful Death Claims
In a wrongful death case, no litigation can bring back the deceased person. The only way to compensate a family for its losses is through monetary damages. That compensation is going to be needed for the survivors’ future. An insurance company knows that its financial exposure is high in any wrongful death case. It will be the objective of that insurance company to try and settle any wrongful death case for as little as possible in order to protect its bottom line.
The surviving family member can expect an insurance company to try and get to them before they’re able to speak with an attorney. Don’t let that happen. It’s nearly inevitable that you’re likely to take an even larger financial loss. You’ll serve both the memory of your loved one and his or her surviving family members by contacting the Salinas wrongful death lawyer at Maison Law as soon as possible.
Contact a Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
At Maison Law, you’ll be listened to carefully. You can tell us about what happened and how it happened and how it all has affected you and your family. We are happy to answer any questions you might have and advise you of your full range of legal options. Don’t speak with that opposing insurance company before talking to a lawyer on our team.
Contact Maison Law right away after the wrongful death of a family member, and we’ll arrange for a free and confidential consultation and case review with you. We promise to work for the maximum compensation that you deserve while you’re putting yourself and your family back together again.