Redding Wrongful Death Lawyer

Redding Wrongful Death Attorney

Any unexpected death is tragic. When family members find out that their loved one’s death resulted from someone else’s negligence, it can lead to anger, grief, and a desire for justice. Families may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim to hold the responsible parties accountable with the help of a Redding wrongful death lawyer.

Our attorneys understand the complex emotions that can follow a wrongful death. We have represented clients facing serious hardships, helping them secure compensation for their losses. We approach each case with compassion for our clients and a strong commitment to pursuing a fair settlement or verdict on their behalf.

Why You Should Choose Barr and Mudford

If your family suffered the loss of a loved one, you are likely emotionally devastated and financially strained. There are funeral costs to pay, estate matters to settle, and other urgent responsibilities that demand attention during an incredibly difficult time. Hiring an attorney can allow you to pursue a wrongful death claim that can provide the financial relief and justice needed to ease some of these burdens.

Our law firm can handle the filings and negotiations while you focus on your family. For more than 50 years, our attorneys have helped surviving family members receive fair and timely compensation. We understand that no amount of money can undo the grief you are experiencing, and you can expect empathy and compassion from our legal team every step of the way.

What Constitutes a Wrongful Death?

A wrongful death occurs when someone’s life is cut short due to another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions. Common examples include fatalities resulting from car accidents, medical malpractice, workplace accidents, defective products, or criminal acts.

Depending on the circumstances of the death, the deceased’s family may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for their financial losses, pain, and emotional suffering. California’s wrongful death laws allow family members to work with an attorney to file a wrongful death claim when the death was caused by another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct.

The legal action allows family members to hold the at-fault party accountable through the civil courts, even when there are pending criminal charges. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral costs, lost income, and other hardships that arise from the untimely loss of a loved one.

Proving Fault

Before action in court can be taken, the plaintiff in a case (usually one or more close family members) must work with an attorney to establish fault. The plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant’s actions were negligent, reckless, or intentional, directly leading to the victim’s death.

This requires gathering evidence, such as witness statements, expert testimony, and documentation of events leading up to the incident. An attorney often plays a key role in organizing and presenting this evidence with the goal of building a case that connects the defendant’s actions to the tragic outcome.

Common Forms of Compensation

A successful wrongful death claim can relieve the burden on surviving family members. Common forms of compensation pay for medical expenses incurred before death. The cost of emergency medical care can be substantial.

Other wrongful death-related costs that can be paid through a settlement include funeral and burial costs, loss of future income and support, and damages for emotional suffering. Financial costs may also address the loss of companionship, which is a form of non-economic damage that addresses the emotional pain that accompanies an untimely death.

FAQs

Q: What Are the Highest Wrongful Death Settlements?

A: The highest wrongful death settlements typically involve cases of egregious misconduct on the part of the defendant. The courts also weigh the resulting financial hardship placed on the decedent’s immediate family and dependents. When an untimely death causes significant hardship and distress for the plaintiffs, the wrongful death settlement can be significant.

Q: Who Has Standing to Sue for Wrongful Death in California?

A: The representative of the estate or other eligible parties have standing to sue for a wrongful death in California. Typically, this is the surviving spouse if the estate owner was married at the time of their death. Other close relatives who could qualify to sue on behalf of the decedent include children and parents of the deceased.

Q: Can I File a Wrongful Death Claim When There Are Pending Criminal Charges?

A: Yes. You can hire an attorney to file a wrongful death claim even when the defendant is also facing criminal charges. Both systems of justice work independently, meaning the outcome of one does not necessarily impact the other. There may be a case where a suspect is not ultimately found guilty in criminal court but found civilly liable in civil court.

Q: Who Can Recover for Wrongful Death in CA?

A: Immediate family members, such as the surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children, are typically entitled to recover damages in a California wrongful death claim. If there is no spouse or children, other relatives, like parents or siblings, may be eligible. Additionally, certain financially dependent individuals, such as stepchildren or a putative spouse, may also qualify to recover damages.

Q: Who Gets the Money in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in CA?

A: The parties to the wrongful death claim get the money after a settlement or trial verdict in the plaintiff’s favor. The division of the damages is determined by the court or by agreement among eligible beneficiaries, based on factors like each party’s financial dependence on the deceased and the loss they experienced. A portion may also be allocated to cover attorney fees.

Schedule Your Wrongful Death Consultation Today

No amount of money can lessen the emotional burden your family is facing, but compensation can help ease the financial strain during this difficult time. While you focus on settling the deceased’s estate, we’ll take the steps necessary to gather evidence showing that your loved one’s death resulted from negligence or misconduct.

Then, we can tirelessly fight to hold the at-fault party accountable by demanding that they compensate your family for the financial harm and emotional stress they caused. Take the first step toward finding justice by contacting our office today to schedule your consultation.