A wrongful death claim is a lawsuit that arises from the death of an individual that was caused by the conduct of another. A wrongful death lawsuit is different from other types of personal injury claims because the actual victim (the "decedent") is not bringing suit, rather it is the family members or the decedent's estate. As such, a wrongful death claim is brought to recover damages for the injuries that the surviving family and-or estate have suffered due to the death of the victim. The damages recovered do not include damages that are personal to the decedent, because the decedent is not allowed to recover for pain and suffering, mental distress, or any other form of compensatory damages unique to him or her. Wrongful Death is an area of law that the Law Office of Steven L. Weiner & Associates has practiced throughout California for over 30 years.
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Each personal injury lawyer and wrongful death attorney at the Law Offices of Steven L. Weiner & Associates provides comprehensive legal advice and lawsuit representation to clients across Central, Southern and Northern California, including Walnut Creek, Pleasanton, Oakland, San Mateo, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles and San Diego.
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The purpose of a wrongful death lawsuit is to provide relief to family members who have been injured emotionally and financially as a result of the family member's death.
In California only certain persons can file a wrongful death suit on behalf of the decedent. Because an action for wrongful death is governed solely by statute, the right to bring the action is limited only to those persons described by the Legislature in Code Civ. Proc., § 377.60. Phraner v Cote Mark, Inc. (1997, 4th Dist) 55 Cal App 4th 166, 63 Cal Rptr 2d 740.
Who Files A Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Generally,the decedent's surviving spouse, children, and issue of deceased children, or, if there is no surviving issue of the decedent, the persons, including the surviving spouse, who is entitled to the property of the decedent can file a wrongful death lawsuit. See: Cal Code Civ Proc §377.60. Under California's statute of limitations, a plaintiff must bring a cause of action for wrongful death within two years of accrual. See: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. $355.1
The date of accrual of a cause of action for wrongful death is the date of death. However, if the plaintiff is blamelessly ignorant of his cause of action, the date of accrual of a wrongful death cause of action is the date on which the plaintiff comes at least to suspect, or have reason to suspect, a factual basis for a claim of wrongful death. Norgart v Upjohn Co. (1999) 21 Cal 4th 383, 404, 87 Cal Rptr 2d 453, 981 P2d 79.
If an heir or beneficiary is comparatively negligent for the decedent's death, negligence of an heir will merely be a ground for reduction of his damages.
In all matters involving wrongful death it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, investigate the accident in question, and to file a lawsuit prior to the deadline imposed by the statute of limitations.
If a loved one has been a victim of wrongful death, call the Walnut Creek, California Law Office of Steven L. Weiner & Associates now at 1-800-704-0151. The consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds.
Don't delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitation expires. Contact Us.
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