Santa Ana Wrongful Death Lawyer

Santa Ana Wrongful Death Attorney

When a loved one’s death is caused by someone’s negligence, the pain can feel even more devastating. In addition to the emotional toll that comes with experiencing a wrongful death, families often face unexpected medical bills, funeral expenses, and financial challenges. If you’ve lost your loved one to negligence, a skilled Santa Ana wrongful death lawyer from our firm can help you pursue the compensation you need and the justice you deserve.

At Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates, we have helped countless families across California secure optimal outcomes through wrongful death cleans. We are dedicated to holding negligent parties responsible and work to ensure your claim represents the exact losses you’ve had to endure. When you’re ready to take legal action after a wrongful death, our team is here to help.

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim in California?

A wrongful death occurs when an individual loses their life due to the wrongful actions or negligence of another person or party. In these instances, the surviving family members can seek monetary compensation from the responsible party to cover economic and noneconomic damages.

Compensation in a California wrongful death claim can cover funeral expenses, outstanding medical bills from before the deceased passed, loss of income, loss of companionship, and much more. These claims hold the at-fault party accountable for their actions while providing financial support to the grieving family.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death Claims in Santa Ana

Wrongful death claims can arise from different circumstances. Some of the more common incidents include:

• Automobile Accidents: Many fatal accidents result from driver negligence and could otherwise have been prevented if the driver was acting safely. Your lawyer can help you determine if an accident qualifies for a wrongful death claim in California.
• Medical Malpractice: Medical professionals must meet a certain level of patient care. If they fail this duty, it can result in fatal consequences. Wrongful death can result from anesthesia mistakes, incorrect prescriptions or diagnoses, or surgical errors.
• Workplace Accidents: All California employers are legally required to maintain a safe working environment for their employees. An unsafe workplace can lead to fatal accidents, giving rise to a wrongful death claim.
• Product Liability: Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers are responsible for the safety of their products. Defective products can result in serious injury or death. If you file a wrongful death claim in this instance, it could involve multiple parties, including the product’s production company and distribution chain.
• Criminal Activity: Deaths resulting from criminal activity can also lead to a wrongful death claim. While the perpetrator may face criminal charges, the victim’s family can file a civil claim to seek compensation for damages.

Types of Compensation Received in a Wrongful Death Claim

In a wrongful death claim, the plaintiff must prove the defendant’s negligence in court. This requires showing the defendant owed the deceased a level of care, breached this duty, and caused the death as a result. Wrongful death claims in Santa Ana allow grieving family members to seek various forms of compensation, including:

• Funeral and Burial Expenses: These costs cover everything involved in laying the deceased to rest.
• Medical Expenses: Medical expenses can include any bills incurred during the deceased’s final care, such as hospital stays or surgeries.
• Household Contribution: This includes any contributions the deceased made to the household, such as loss of income or retirement benefits.
• Loss of Companionship: Noneconomic compensation can include the loss of emotional support, affection, and companionship provided by the deceased.

Work With Our Trusted Santa Ana Wrongful Death Team

When you hire a Santa Ana wrongful death lawyer to handle your claim, they should act quickly to preserve critical evidence that can be used to build a strong claim. Your lawyer can work to identify the party responsible for your loved one’s death, gather evidence that displays the severity of the accident and the losses you’ve endured, and negotiate for an optimal settlement in court.

The team at Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates has spent years guiding California families through complicated wrongful death claims. We can work to calculate the scope of your losses, including medical expenses, funeral costs, and lost income, in addition to figuring out noneconomic damages, such as loss of companionship. In some cases, we may also pursue punitive damages if the at-fault party’s actions were egregious.

FAQs

What Is an Example of a Wrongful Death in California?

A wrongful death occurs when someone dies due to another party’s negligence or misconduct. For example, a patient may pass away because a surgeon leaves a medical instrument inside their body during surgery, leading to fatal complications. In this case, the surgeon’s failure to provide proper care constitutes negligence, and the victim’s family can seek compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses, and emotional suffering as a result of the death.

Who Are the Heirs of Wrongful Death Settlement in California?

In California, the heirs eligible to file a wrongful death claim are typically the deceased’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, and children. If there are no direct descendants, the right to file a claim may extend to other kin, such as parents or siblings, if they were financially dependent on the deceased. An attorney can help you determine which heirs have legal standing to pursue a wrongful death claim in Santa Ana.

How Are Wrongful Death Settlements Distributed in California?

In California, wrongful death settlements are distributed among eligible heirs. This typically includes the deceased’s spouse and children, but this can extend to other family members who were financially dependent on the deceased. The settlement distribution is based on the heirs’ level of dependency on the deceased. All eligible parties must be included in the claim for equal distribution. Talk to your lawyer to learn more about your eligibility for a wrongful death claim.

What Is the Average Wrongful Death Settlement in California?

The average wrongful death settlement in California varies widely depending on many factors, such as the circumstances of the death, the deceased’s income, and the extent of the damages suffered by the family. Key considerations include medical bills, funeral costs, lost income, and noneconomic damages, like the loss of companionship and care provided by the deceased.

Contact Our Santa Ana Wrongful Death Lawyers Today

If your loved one lost their life in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek justice and compensation for the losses you’ve endured. The experienced team at Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates can offer you compassionate support while helping you navigate the legal complexities of a Santa Ana wrongful death case. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and begin seeking justice for your family.