If you have lost a loved one in an accident, then you might be considering filing a wrongful death case. You might also have many questions about the best way to proceed with this type of case. Keep reading to get the basics of these cases, including what damages you can sue for, and then contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
The Basics of a Wrongful Death Case
Before you can determine the amount of damages you might be able to seek compensation for, you must first determine that you are eligible to file a case. A wrongful death case is brought by certain members of the deceased’s family, such as their spouse or child. It is brought when the person who died was involved in an accident in which another party was negligent.
An Example of Wrongful Death
If a man died in a car accident due to the actions of a drunk driver, then the surviving family members of the man who died could potentially sue the drunk driver for damages. Only the spouse, child, and others who were financially dependent on the deceased have the legal standing to file a wrongful death claim on their behalf.
Damages You Can Sue for in a California Wrongful Death Case
There are two main types of damages you can sue for in California: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include damages that are easy to quantify from a monetary standpoint, such as loss of financial support, funeral and burial expenses, the value of the domestic services that will not be received due to the death, and the medical costs of the accident leading up to the death.
Noneconomic damages do not have a specific monetary value attached to them. Your attorney will need to work with experts to determine the value and to create a compelling argument for these values. Examples of non-economic damages include loss of love, comfort, companionship, sexual relations, and care and protection.
Do You Have Cause to File a Wrongful Death Case?
If you believe that you might have cause to file a wrongful death case in California, then your next step is simple: contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707. We will begin with a free consultation. During this meeting, we will go over the basic facts of your case to determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit. If we determine that you do and we decide to take on your case, we will do so on a contingency basis.
This means that you do not pay us until we recover compensation for you. If we are unable to do so, then you do not pay us. Call now to get your free legal consultation.
