Losing a loved one can be devastating, especially if their death could have been avoided. Coming to terms with this sudden loss of a loved one is challenging. The grieving process can be made worse by unexpected bills brought about by this accident. Fortunately, California courts help the deceased’s surviving family ease the financial burden of an unexpected death by compensating the economic and non-economic damages they suffered.
A wrongful death claim could be filed by the family members or dependents of the deceased if another caused their death through negligent actions. Hiring a wrongful death lawyer with your best interests at heart allows you time to grieve without worrying about legal and financial matters.
Types of Accidents That May Result in Wrongful Death
Negligence is the most common cause of wrongful deaths in Fresno, California. Wrongful deaths can be caused by several acts of negligence, which include the following:
- Auto accidents: When someone is involved in a severe accident, there is always the possibility that the accident or the injuries they sustain could be fatal. Some auto accidents, like motorcycle and truck accidents, can be catastrophic, leading to fatalities.
- Dangerous and defective products: Manufacturers have a duty to provide safe products to their consumers. Defects to machines, toys, or equipment can cause serious accidents.
- Medical malpractice: Negligent actions from healthcare providers such as nurses and doctors can have fatal consequences. Cases of medical malpractice include accidental poisoning, medication errors, or surgical errors, all of which can lead to the death of a loved one.
- Premises liability: Property owners owe a duty of reasonable care to customers and visitors going in and out of their building. Unsafe and dangerous conditions can lead to fatal slip-and-fall accidents.
- Work-related accidents: Injuries sustained on the job can sometimes lead to the loss of a loved one. Employers should exercise reasonable care to ensure their workers are safe when working in construction sites and oilfields.
- Exposure to hazardous materials: Working in an environment with toxic chemicals and materials can lead to health complications such as mesothelioma (due to asbestos exposure) and various cancers.
- Nursing home abuse: Unfortunately, some nursing home residents are neglected and abused in these facilities.
- Criminal acts/Violent crimes: The family members of victims of violent crimes can file a wrongful death claim.
Drowning, boating, and other recreation accidents might have caused a wrongful death, especially if the facility owners or managers were negligent of the hazardous conditions at the facility. Surviving members of the deceased have a right to pursue compensation for their loss.
Who Can Pursue a Wrongful Death Claim in Fresno, California?
Eligibility to file a wrongful death claim in Fresno, California, lies with specific family relations of the deceased. Individuals who can file a wrongful death claim in California include the following:
- Spouses
- Domestic partners
- Putative spouses
- Children and stepchildren
- Parents
- Siblings
Other relations include people who were dependent on the deceased or minors who were dependent on and resided in the deceased’s household for the last 180 days.
How to Prove a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California
To recover the damages of a wrongful death claim, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant’s wrongful actions were a significant factor in the deceased’s wrongful death. Establishing a Fresno wrongful death claim requires the plaintiff to demonstrate the following four elements of negligence:
- The defendant owed the deceased a duty of reasonable care
- The defendant violated this duty through their negligent or reckless actions
- The defendant’s breach of duty led to your loved one’s death
- Your family or the deceased suffered losses due to the defendant’s actions
Compensation can be recovered for the losses suffered due to the demise. These may include medical bills, burial expenses, loss of support, etc.
Damages Owed in a Fresno Wrongful Death According to California Law
The relationship the deceased shared with a surviving family member determines the damages they can pursue. The following are some of the reimbursements that can be recovered:
- Medical costs suffered before the deceased passed away and after the accident, such as ambulance and emergency care
- Reasonable burial and funeral expenses for the departed
- Loss of consortium for spouses and registered domestic partners
- The financial support the deceased would have brought to the family during their life expectancy
- Loss of benefits and accumulated inheritance that the plaintiff would have received had the deceased lived
Punitive damages are possible, but California only allocates punitive damages in cases where the defendant’s actions were grossly negligent or intentional.
Get in Touch With an Experienced Fresno Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you have experienced a Fresno wrongful death in your family, contact a wrongful death lawyer from Kash Legal. Your lawyer will help you ascertain if you are eligible to file a wrongful death claim and help you gather the evidence required to prove your case.
Losing a loved one so unexpectedly is hard enough, even without factoring in the added financial stresses of such a loss. Call us at (888) 527-4128 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation to begin healing and grieving the loss of your loved one without the interruptions of legal or financial issues.
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