Personalized legal services for your family
If you’ve recently lost a loved one in an accident, hiring a law firm to represent you is most likely the last thing on your mind. However, getting started on filing a claim is crucial if you wish to achieve some sense of justice for what happened to your family member. In addition to the pain you may be experiencing right now, you may also be burdened with a lot of financial debt. Medical bills and property damage pile up in costs, and if your family was dependent on your loved one, you’re also missing an income.
Lara Law Firm is available to take on your case and secure the compensation your family needs to cover your expenses. The healing process may be long, but our Alhambra wrongful death attorney can make it slightly easier so you don’t have to worry about falling into debt. Our team is comprised of compassionate individuals who know how overwhelmed you must feel right now—allow us to utilize our knowledge of the legal system on your behalf.
He got me enough money to buy a new car, and he also got me $50,000 for my injury. Thank you, Richard! You’re the best!
– Erin, Student of Nursing
Frequently asked questions
What counts as wrongful death?
Family members can file a wrongful death claim when their loved one is killed because of another person’s or entity’s negligence. There may be instances in which the at-fault party is arrested and criminally charged, but a wrongful death lawsuit is a separate civil action that allows families to be compensated for their loss.
There are numerous factors and situations that can cause death or serious injuries that lead to death. However, some of the most common causes of wrongful death claims include:
- Car accidents: Millions of car accidents occur in the United States every year, and on average, around 38,000 people are killed in these accidents. Car crashes are one of the leading causes of wrongful death claims because of how frequently people drive or travel in vehicles. A majority of car accidents are caused by human error, meaning that a driver or some other party can usually be held responsible for negligence.
- Medical malpractice: Doctors, nurses, dentists, and other medical staff are responsible for keeping their patients safe, but sometimes they make mistakes. When these mistakes occur during high-stakes situations, serious injuries and death are possible. Common wrongful death causes include a misdiagnosis of an existing condition or errors made during surgery.
- Defective products: Defective or dangerous products are known to kill countless consumers every year. These products typically include pharmaceutical products – also known as dangerous drugs – unsafe products designed for young children, and defective vehicle features, like airbags. Manufacturers and designers are usually the ones to blame for defects.
- Workplace accidents: Industries that are considered to be more hazardous, like construction or assembly work, often place workers at risk of injury or death. Common workplace accidents that result in death include falls from heights, being hit or crushed by heavy machinery or equipment, and work-related car accidents.
- Truck accidents: Due to their weight and size, trucks can cause a lot of damage in collisions, including severe injuries and death. Common catastrophic injuries include burns, spinal cord and neck injuries, amputations, and brain and head injuries.
While many people associate wrongful death claims with deaths that occur in accidents, families can also file a claim if their loved one initially survived the accident but died from their injuries at a later date.
Who can file a claim in California?
Each state has its own statutes regarding how much time individuals have to file a personal injury claim, and who can file a claim on behalf of a deceased family member. In California, families have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. This means that if your loved one was injured in an accident and died three weeks later, the clock would begin from the date of the death, not the date of the accident.
Additionally, only certain family members are allowed to file a wrongful death lawsuit in California. The following may be eligible to file a claim:
- The surviving spouse or domestic partner
- The deceased person’s surviving children
- The deceased’s parents or siblings, if there is no surviving person in their line of descent
- Anyone who was financially dependent on the deceased person
To learn more about whether you’re legally allowed to file a claim, call our attorney. We’re more than happy to sit down with you to hear your story and help you understand what next steps you can take.
What damages we can help you recover?
In addition to demystifying the complicated legal system for you, our law firm can also be trusted to recover damages for your family and your loved one’s estate. No one is prepared for a loved one to die, so chances are you aren’t ready to be burdened with medical bills, funeral expenses, and lost income.
We can secure the compensation you need to cover the following losses:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical and hospital bills for your loved one’s final illness or injury
- Lost income
- Loss of companionship or love
- Value of household services
- Loss of anticipated financial support
Your family deserves compassion and guidance after losing an important family member. Lara Law Firm can help.
