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Montecito Wrongful Death Lawyers

Helping Survivors in Difficult Times

The death of a loved one is one is an extremely painful experience. This becomes even more difficult to bear when your loved one passed away as the result of someone else’s careless behavior. It’s devastating to learn that your loved one’s death could have been prevented.

A wrongful death suit is a civil action, completely separate from any criminal trial. And you may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim even if the person responsible for your loved one’s death is not guilty of a crime.

The experienced Montecito personal injury attorneys at NordstrandBlack PC have won millions of dollars in settlements for our clients. We treat all our clients with compassion and care. To learn more about how to file a wrongful death claim, call (805) 962-2022 today.

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What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?

Wrongful death occurs when a person dies as the result of somebody else’s wrongful or negligent actions. A wrongful death civil action is brought by surviving family members seeking compensation for financial and other damages that result from the death of a loved one.

Everyone has a duty of care, which is the legal obligation to avoid harming others. For example, when a driver runs a red light and crashes into a pedestrian, their behavior clearly violates the duty of care.

If a person or entity fails to make a reasonable effort to avoid behavior that causes another person’s death, then the victim’s loved ones have the right to file a wrongful death claim.

Wrongful death claims apply to several types of circumstances. An employer who ignores unsafe working conditions, a property owner who fails to remove a hazard, or a company that brings an unsafe product to market without performing the necessary safety tests can all be held liable in a wrongful death action.

A wrongful death may result in the following situations:

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Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Montecito, CA?

When someone dies due to the careless actions of another, only one wrongful death claim can be filed. California Civil Procedures section 377.60 designates who is allowed to file a wrongful death claim. This includes:

  • Spouses
  • Children
  • Step-children
  • Parents
  • Minors living in the household for at least six months who were dependent on the victim for half or more of their support

Siblings or grandchildren may be eligible if there is no living spouse, parents, or children.

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How Your Montecito Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help

Your Montecito wrongful death attorney will investigate the circumstances of your loved one’s death. Using evidence such as police reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony, your attorney will build a strong case against the defendant.

Your attorney will also help you decide if you want to pursue a survival action. This is a type of legal action filed by the deceased’s estate to collect compensation for any pain, suffering, and anguish suffered by your loved one before they died.

Compensation in a wrongful death suit may include the following types of damages:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Burial and funeral costs
  • Loss of income
  • Loss of financial support
  • Loss of love, support, companionship, and protection
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Were You Harmed by Someone’s Reckless Behavior?

At NordstrandBlack PC, we stand up for people who have been harmed through no fault of their own. Our firm has a perfect 10.0 rating from Avvo and is rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell.

Call (805) 962-2022 to schedule a consultation today.

You won’t owe us anything unless we win your case.

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