What Steps Should You Take When Considering a Wrongful Death Attorney?

Before California passed its wrongful death statute, the right to file a lawsuit died with your loved one. However, this created an unfair outcome. If your loved one lived, the person who caused the accident was liable for all the damages resulting from the fatal event. If they died, it was difficult for anyone to pursue damages from the at-fault party.

Side view of two sad good friends embracing in a bedroom in a house interior with a dark light in the background

California’s wrongful death law changed this. An accident victim’s estate and survivors can file a wrongful death lawsuit and recover damages for their loss, including:

Financial support
Companionship
Household support and work
Parental training and guidance
Gifts

Here is some information about how to choose a wrongful death attorney.

Review Law Firm Websites

Law firm websites will list the types of law they practice. Wrongful death cases require knowledge of California’s wrongful death law. This law outlines who can file a wrongful death lawsuit and the damages they can recover. A lawyer must understand the law thoroughly to provide sound advice.

Wrongful death cases require experience unique to decedent damages. The family’s damages are frequently far different from an accident victim’s damages, which typically pays for medical costs and ongoing care and treatment for injuries. In wrongful death, the damages go beyond those costs, and include the loss of financial support and relationships that the decedent provided to his/her family. A lawyer must understand what persuades juries to award wrongful death damages, and know how to present evidence that illustrates the depth of loss the family will experience without their loved one. This difficult task requires an experienced attorney that knows how to get maximum compensation for wrongful death.

Narrow Down Your Choices

Many law firms handle wrongful death cases, but not all firms have the experience and knowledge about the event that took the life of your loved one. Wrongful death cases often arise from personal injury events, such as:

Car accident or motor vehicle collisions
Workplace negligence
Product defects
Animal attacks or dog bites
Slip and fall accidents

Finding someone with legal experience to pursue the event that may have been the underlying cause of death can help improve your odds of getting fair compensation for your loss.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Under most circumstances, California gives you two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit after the death. However, there are exceptions so contacting an attorney early can help prevent you from losing your right to file a wrongful death suit. It is important to consider your options and reach out to an experienced attorney to guide you through the process.

For over 45 years, it has been our mission at Dunnion Law to protect those who have lost loved ones due to the negligence or recklessness of others. Our wrongful death attorneys are skilled at obtaining the maximum compensation for families whose lives were unexpectedly turned upside down.

At Dunnion Law, we offer a free consultation, so you can get advice on your case and better understand the process and the financial compensation to which you may be entitled.