Wrongful Death Attorneys

Long Beach Wrongful Death Attorneys

If a loved one died due to the negligence or harmful actions of another individual, you may be eligible for substantial financial compensation. In Long Beach, our experienced team of wrongful death attorneys at Dordulian Law Group will work hard for the well-being of the surviving family members. We’ll fight to ensure you aren’t left with out-of-pocket payments for funeral expenses. We’ll use our knowledge and experience to recover all available damages that are due, preventing the remaining family from struggling to pay the bills if a decedent was the sole provider.

From the onset of filing a claim to the completion of your case, we will provide compassion while working to ensure your rights are protected, all while maintaining the goals that are important to you.
Trust our experienced and dedicated team to recover any available compensation for your loss, and know that we will focus on your best interests throughout the case. We’ll handle the stressful details from beginning to end, allowing you to focus on healing from the loss of your loved one.

What is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

A wrongful death lawsuit may be brought if your loved one died as a result of the negligence or harmful actions of another person, group of people, or even a company. Wrongful death claims are often filed following major car accidents, gross negligence at a place of business, medical malpractice, or death caused by a drunk driver. Criminal matters such as assault or homicide are filed by the state of California. A wrongful death lawsuit is filed separately in civil court by the surviving spouse or children, other close family members, or the representative of the decedent’s estate. If your case is successful, the court will order the defendant or defendants to compensate you for your loved one’s death.

Because it is a civil matter, this verdict will not cause the defendant(s) any jail time. However, if the state of California files a criminal case, jail time could be imposed with a guilty verdict. On the other hand, if the judge passes down a verdict of not guilty in the criminal case, a wrongful death claim could still be successful because the required burden of proof will always be less in a civil lawsuit.

The O.J. Simpson murder trial is one of the most famous examples of receiving two different decisions – one criminal and one civil – for the same event. Even though the criminal court found him not guilty of murdering Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald L. Goldman, O.J. Simpson was found liable in the civil lawsuit filed by the victims’ families.

Other high-profile wrongful death cases involve the Porsche and Fiat Chrysler car companies. A wrongful death case from a tragic bus rollover accident is one of the Dordulian Law Group’s ongoing lawsuits.

Wrongful Death Statistics

In the U.S. each year, wrongful deaths have become overly common:

• DUI accidents kill more than 17,000 people annually.
• Medical malpractice is responsible for more than 90,000 deaths each year.
• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are over 65,000 accidental poisoning fatalities each year.
• Slip and fall deaths contribute to more than 36,000 deaths, according to CDC reports.

Schedule an appointment online for a free consultation today, or call us directly to speak to our top-rated, expert personal injury attorneys.

In a Wrongful Death Civil Case, Who Can Be Held Responsible?

In a Long Beach wrongful death case, multiple parties can be held responsible. Typically there is just one defendant in a wrongful death case, but it is not impossible for cases to have a handful of named defendants. In the event of a case being filed due to a defective or faulty product causing your loved one’s death, an entire company can be brought as a defendant.

There are many reasons why a wrongful death claim can be filed according to California law, including:

• Intentional misconduct
• Recklessness
• Negligence
• Gross Negligence

More specifically, if your loved one died under certain circumstances, a wrongful death claim should be filed. Such examples include:

• Abuse of a Child
• Medical Malpractice
• Slip and Fall Accidents
• Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Defective or Malfunctioning Product
• Sexual Assault

In some Long Beach wrongful death claims, it is possible for a defendant to be held responsible even if he or she was not negligent. This is due to California’s strict liability laws pertaining to cases of defective products and dog bites. If a dog bites a child and that child dies from resulting injuries, the owner may be held responsible for wrongful death.

Should I Sue for Wrongful Death?

If your loved one died due to someone’s negligence or harm, you deserve to be compensated accordingly. You should call a Long Beach attorney within Dordulian Law Group and schedule a free consultation. One of our trusted and experienced wrongful death lawyers will sit down with you to determine if you have a valid claim. In many cases, family members of the decedent to not realize they may be eligible to recover financial compensation through a wrongful death claim.

The free consultation will allow us to explain your rights and review all available options. We will answer any questions you have regarding your wrongful death claim, including the possibility of being awarded financial compensation.

Contact DLG at (866) 261 7773 for more information or to schedule a consultation. While speaking with a member of the legal team, you will learn about the estimated total value of your claim and how much financial compensation you might recover via settlement or trial.

Am I eligible To Seek Damages in a Wrongful Death Claim?

California law specifically identifies who may seek damages in a wrongful death claim. Examples of individuals who may be eligible to recover a financial damages award in a Long Beach wrongful death claim include:

• A surviving spouse
• Children of the decedent
• Grandchildren of the decedent (only if the decedent’s children are also deceased)
• A domestic partner
• Stepchildren (if they received at least half of their support from the decedent)
• Those with a legal interest of the decedent’s property (for instance, an asset included in the loved one’ will, if the individual was the sole owner)

How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim?

There is a time limit, also known as a statute of limitations, for filing a wrongful death claim in Long Beach, California. According to the law, the window of time to file is only two years from the date of your loved one’s death. There is, however, an exception to the two-year statute – the discovery rule. The discovery rule can extend the statute of limitations time frame in one of two instances:

• If a realistic belief existed that you did not hear of the person’s death
• If it was not made clear what caused the death of your loved one until after the statute of limitations had already expired

Additionally, the two-year statute of limitations is actually reduced considerably when bringing a wrongful death claim against certain entities. In the event that a claim is brought against a California public or government entity, there is typically only a six-month deadline for filing. If your claim is not approved, you may file an appeal within six months of the denial decision. Given the complexities of the law, it is recommended that you consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer immediately following your loved one’s death to ensure all deadlines are met and claims are filed properly.

There are a variety of deadlines and guidelines pertaining to filing a wrongful death lawsuit in Long Beach, California. The experienced attorneys at the Dordulian Law Group are available to guide you through the entire process and help file a claim as soon as possible, ensuring you do not miss out on your chance to be compensated for your loss.

Our experienced attorneys can help you pursue a financial award for your personal injury case. Contact us online or by phone for a free consultation today.

How Much is My Wrongful Death Claim Worth?

Eligible parties may seek both economic and non-economic damages in a Long Beach wrongful death case. Listing economic damages (damages that can be given a dollar amount) within the lawsuit will help support the deceased’s family with lost earnings that could have been provided, had the loved one not suffered an untimely death. Factors that can be considered when determining damages include:

• The condition of health prior to the decedent’s death
• The age and life expectancy of the decedent
• The income potential of the decedent

Eligible economic damages that may be awarded in a wrongful death civil lawsuit include:

• Loss of benefits that family members would have received from the decedent
• Loss of financial support that the decedent could have provided for a lifetime
• Burial and funeral expenses
• All the medical bills that were incurred from the accident resulting in the death of your loved one
• The decedent’s health insurance or pension value

Additionally, non-economic damages may be recovered in a wrongful death claim. Non-economic damages are intended to compensate for emotional trauma, and fall under the loss of consortium law within the state of California. Some non-economic damages include:

• Loss of protection and affection
• Loss of companionship and support
• Loss of sexual relations
• Moral support loss
• Guidance and training loss

If you believe you have a personal injury case and wish to pursue a claim, don’t hesitate to contact our award-winning expert attorneys online or by phone today.

How Do I Win My Wrongful Death Case and Recover Due Compensation?

Many clients are curious regarding what happens when a Long Beach wrongful death claim is successful. Understanding how you will be compensated is important.

In most cases, the defendant’s insurance company pays the award amount issued in court. However, there are limits pertaining to the amount an insurance company will pay, leaving you to recover the balance directly from the defendant. In an instance of a successful wrongful death settlement, this can be done by having the defendant’s savings account emptied, garnishing wages, and/or seizing their assets.

For guidance in this process, reach out to the experienced Long Beach wrongful death attorneys at Dordulian Law Group. In addition to our team guiding you through all the steps outlined above in this article, you may also want to inquire about how a damages award from a successful wrongful death lawsuit could affect taxes.

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