If you’ve lost a family member in a fatal accident, the last things you need are legal and insurance headaches—but sometimes dealing with these obstacles is necessary for getting justice and protecting your family’s future. Simplify things by working with a San Francisco wrongful death attorney.
When you lose a family member, it’s a difficult time for the entire family. When the death was caused by someone else’s negligent action, it makes things even more difficult to bear.
Family members in this situation often want to seek justice on behalf of the deceased victim—and rightfully so. Even if there was no crime involved, families deserve to receive financial compensation that holds the at-fault party accountable and ensures the family’s future financial wellbeing.
If this is the situation your family is in, you can get justice for your loved one by working with a San Francisco wrongful death lawyer from Haffner Law. We can handle the legal process for you, allowing you and your family to focus on your grief.
Who’s Allowed to File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?
In order to file a wrongful death lawsuit in California, you must have had a particular familial relationship with the victim of the fatal accident. The state will only allow you to file suit if you were one of the following relations of the deceased:
- Spouse
- Domestic partner
- Child
- Lawful heir
- Financially dependent putative spouse
- Financially dependent child of putative spouse
- Financially dependent stepchild
- Financially dependent parent
If you aren’t certain if you meet one of the above criteria, or if you think someone else might contest your right to file a wrongful death claim, an attorney from our firm will be able to help you determine your eligibility.
Financial Compensation for a Fatal Accident
It’s important to note that even if a crime was involved in your loved one’s death, a conviction won’t financially compensate your family for the damages you’ve suffered. A criminal case can provide justice, but the only way to recover financial compensation and protect what you built with the deceased is to pursue a wrongful death claim.
Your San Francisco wrongful death lawyer will work closely with you to build a case that covers everything your family has experienced because of the fatal accident and its aftermath. Some of these damages apply to the deceased’s estate, while others directly reflect what the family has gone through:
- Expenses for funeral and burial
- Medical bills incurred while attempting to treat fatal injuries
- Lost income the deceased would have provided the family
- The cost of household services that would have been provided by the deceased
- Lost companionship and guidance experienced by the family
When Can a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Be Pursued?
As long as someone else’s negligent action or inaction contributed to the fatal accident, you might have grounds for a case. This means that nearly any accident type could qualify your family to seek damages from the negligent party.
Even if you aren’t certain that negligence was involved, it doesn’t hurt to consult with an experienced wrongful death lawyer to find out if your family has options for seeking justice for your lost loved one.
Whether your family member died in a fatal car accident or passed due to a work-related illness, we’ll be able to determine whether you have grounds for a claim and how you should proceed.
However, California only provides a two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death claims, so you’ll want to contact a lawyer to begin work on your case as soon as possible. If two years pass from the date of the death and you haven’t yet filed, it’s highly likely that your case will be dismissed without being heard in court.
Help from a San Francisco Fatal Accident Lawyer
When you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal accident, Haffner Law is here to help. It’s important to us that our clients receive the justice they deserve for the wrongs they’ve suffered, and this is never more true than in a wrongful death case.
If you would like to discuss your case in detail with a compassionate and knowledgeable San Francisco wrongful death lawyer, just complete the contact form at the bottom of the page or call us at 1-844-HAFFNER (423-3637). The consultation is free, and you’ll receive honest legal advice and the answers your family is looking for.
