Has your loved one recently died in a tragic accident in Torrance, CA because of someone else’s negligence? Contact an experienced Torrance wrongful death lawyer at The Simon Law Group to help you recover compensation for medical bills, lost financial support, and the loss of your loved one’s company at (424) 622-0812.
Since 2009, our award-winning law firm has helped families recover hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. Collectively, we have over 250 years of experience handling cases like yours.
We’re prepared to take on the responsible parties and their insurance companies to recover the maximum compensation you deserve. Contact our law offices in Torrance, California to schedule your free consultation today at (424) 622-0812.
Why Should I Call The Simon Law Group for Help With a Wrongful Death Claim in Torrance, CA?
Fatal accidents are far more common than they should be. 840 people were killed in car accidents alone across Los Angeles County in 2021. Most of these accidents were entirely preventable.
When someone is killed due to another person’s careless acts, our Torrance personal injury lawyers are here to help surviving family members fight for justice. We’re here to stand up to the insurance companies and responsible parties while you focus on putting your life back together.
We can help by:
- Investigating and gathering evidence to support your claim
- Identifying all parties who played a role in your loved one’s death
- Calculating the value of your wrongful death claim
- Defending against unfair allegations that your loved one was responsible for their death
- Hiring experts in fields like accident reconstruction, medicine, economics, and life planning
- Negotiating for a full settlement with the insurance companies and defense teams
Families like yours have trusted our Torrance personal injury attorneys for legal representation since 2009. To learn more about how we can protect your family during this difficult time, call for a free case review today.
What is Wrongful Death in California?
Under California law, a “wrongful death” is defined as a death caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another person. In simple terms, a wrongful death occurs any time someone dies because of another person’s actions.
Wrongful death claims can involve intentional wrongdoing or accidents. It’s entirely possible that the person responsible for your loved one’s death could face criminal charges. However, most wrongful death cases are based on accidents.
Regardless of the underlying facts, wrongful death cases are civil matters. Whether your case goes to court or settles with the insurance company, the remedy is financial compensation.
Do I Have a Valid Wrongful Death Case?
You can sue for wrongful death if you lost a family member due to someone else’s actions. You can have a valid wrongful death claim if the responsible party isn’t charged with a crime. You can also successfully recover compensation for wrongful death if the at-fault party is convicted or even acquitted of a crime.
Under California’s wrongful death law, only certain parties can file the action for wrongful death, including:
- A surviving spouse or domestic partner
- The victim’s children
- The victim’s parents
- Certain parties who were financially dependent on the victim
If none of these parties exist, the case can be filed by the personal representative of the victim’s estate. The compensation recovered is then distributed according to the decedent’s will or California intestate laws if the victim did not leave a will.
What Is My Torrance Wrongful Death Case Worth?
The value of your case will depend on the unique facts, including:
- The circumstances of your loved one’s death
- The nature of the responsible party’s actions
- The expenses incurred due to your loss, including funeral costs, medical expenses, etc.
- Your loved one’s age and earning capacity at the time of death
- How your loved one contributed to the household and family
Attempting to put a dollar value on the loss of a loved one is extremely painful. In many cases, however, it’s the only way to get justice for your loss.
What Types of Compensation Should I Expect if My Wrongful Death Case Is Successful?
As in any personal injury case, you can pursue compensation for economic and non-economic damages. In plain English, you can recover compensation for financial losses and your more personal, intangible losses.
Examples of the types of damages that are available in California include:
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of the reasonable value of employment benefits or inheritance
- Loss of the value of household services provided by the victim
- Funeral costs and burial expenses
- Loss of the victim’s love, companionship, assistance, protection, and moral support
- Loss of parental guidance and instruction
- Loss of consortium or loss of sexual relations with the victim
Some families are entitled to file a second type of claim for additional damages. A survival action allows the victim’s estate to recover additional damages if the victim survived for a period of time before death. If your loved one didn’t die instantly, a survival action gives you a way to seek compensation for the losses incurred between the date of injury and the date of death.
Those damages may include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- The victim’s pain and suffering
- Punitive damages in cases involving intentional wrongdoing or malicious acts
Wrongful death claims in California can be complicated. You deserve a lawyer who will fight to recover every dollar you deserve. At The Simon Law Group, we’ll carefully evaluate the losses your family has suffered. We’ll spend time talking with your family to learn how the loss has changed your life–and demand full compensation to account for those changes.
What Does it Cost to Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer in California?
Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. Ultimately, our fees will depend on the amount of compensation we recover in your case. Instead of paying hourly fees or a retainer, you pay us a percentage of your settlement or verdict once your case is resolved.
How Does Comparative Fault Work in a California Wrongful Death Case?
California follows a pure comparative negligence law. If your loved one shared some of the blame, you won’t lose your right to compensation entirely. However, your damages will be reduced in direct proportion to the percentage of fault allocated to the victim.
Insurance companies often blame victims for causing accidents. For example, say your loved one was killed in a motor vehicle accident. The at-fault driver ran a red light, but your loved one was speeding and was assigned 20% of the fault. If your compensation award is $1 million, you can take home only $800,000.
What Causes Most Deadly Accidents in Torrance, California?
Nearly any type of accident can prove deadly if it’s serious enough.
At The Simon Law Group, we handle fatal accident cases involving:
- Car accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Assault
- Firearm violence
- Workplace accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bus accidents
- Uber and Lyft accidents
- Boating accidents
- Sports accidents
- Poisonings
- Swimming pool accidents
- Construction accidents
- Dog bites
- Defective products
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
- Birth injuries
If you believe that someone else caused your loved one’s death, contact us today for a free case review. You can count on our lawyers in Torrance to find out what happened and help you determine who is ultimately responsible for your damages.
How Do I Prove My California Wrongful Death Claim?
The same legal theories that apply in personal injury cases also apply in wrongful death cases.
Most families must prove negligence, meaning:
- The at-fault party owed your loved one a legal duty of care
- They breached their duty
- The breach directly caused your loved one’s death
- Your family suffered damages
Every one of us has a duty to exercise reasonable caution to keep others safe. If the defendant ignored that duty and was careless, our Torrance wrongful death attorneys will work to prove it.
The standard of proof in wrongful death cases is lower than in criminal cases. A “preponderance of the evidence” standard applies. You must show that it’s more likely than not true that the defendant caused your loved one’s death.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California?
A two-year statute of limitations applies in California wrongful death cases. Your family has two years from the date of your loved one’s death to file a lawsuit for damages. Wait any longer, and you’ll be barred from seeking compensation entirely.
Schedule a Free Case Assessment With an Experienced Torrance Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
After the devastating loss of a loved one, it’s important to know that you do have rights. An experienced Torrance wrongful death lawyer at The Simon Law Group can help you protect them. You may be entitled to significant compensation, so give us a call today to learn more about how we can help.
