Cottonwood Wrongful Death Lawyer

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Losing a loved one is a tragic experience that too many families go through each year. The pain of the loss is often overwhelming. However, when someone you love is killed unexpectedly due to another person's negligence, you most likely feel angry, devastated, and confused. When this happens, you may have a potential wrongful death claim for compensation against a negligent party. Although a legal claim may not bring your loved one back, it can provide a sense of justice and relieve the financial burden your family may have experienced due to the loss.

If you have lost a loved one in a motor vehicle collision due to another's carelessness or negligence, you'll need the guidance of an experienced lawyer to pursue a compensation claim for your losses. Call our Cottonwood wrongful death attorneys today at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400 for a free case evaluation.

What Causes Wrongful Deaths?

When it comes to wrongful death, motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause. However, many different negligent or intentional actions can lead to wrongful death.

Compensation in California Wrongful Death Claims

We understand a family in mourning can struggle financially. We are passionate about holding the at-fault party accountable for your loss. We can help you recover compensation for the following types of damages:

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?

California's laws allow immediate surviving family members of the decedent to file a wrongful death claim for compensation. They include the following:

  • The surviving spouse, domestic partner, or life partner.
  • Minors who received at least half their support from the decedent. This includes naturally born children, stepchildren, and adopted children.
  • Parents of the decedent who received at least half their support.
  • If there are no immediate heirs, other family members may file, including grandparents, siblings, or step-siblings.
Do I Have a Wrongful Death Claim?

Knowing whether you have a wrongful death claim may require consulting an experienced lawyer. An attorney will review your case and determine if you have legitimate grounds to pursue a lawsuit. If your loved one had grounds to file a personal injury case and had survived the accident, you would most likely be entitled to file a wrongful death claim. To determine whether your loved one's death qualifies as wrongful, please call to talk to our Cottonwood wrongful death lawyers at (530) 392-9400.

Statute of Limitations for a Wrongful Death Claim

In California, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the incident. While there are some limited exceptions to the statute of limitations, failure to file a claim within the period can hurt your ability to receive compensation.

Depending on how the death occurred, there are different time limits:

  • Most wrongful death claims have a two-year time limit.
  • If it was due to medical malpractice, it is three years from the injury date, one year from when the injury was discovered, or the earlier date.
  • If the death was caused by a government entity, there is a six-month time limit to file a claim. Contact an experienced lawyer, as other deadlines must be met when dealing with a government entity.

The following YouTube video discusses the statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim.

Why Hire a Wrongful Death Attorney?

Knowing when, where, and how to file a wrongful death suit is overwhelming, especially when you are still grieving the loss of your loved one. A dedicated and compassionate wrongful death lawyer can help you pursue compensation to cover your costs and losses. Your lawyer will handle the entire claim process, all while you focus on healing.

Call Our Wrongful Death Lawyers in Cottonwood, CA 

While money cannot bring your loved one back, we hope to fight on your behalf to give you peace during this difficult time. If you have lost a loved one through a fatal accident, please call our experienced Cottonwood wrongful death attorneys today at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly, and compassionate advice.

Our injury attorneys have helped people throughout Cottonwood and Shasta County with personal injury and wrongful death claims since 1982.

Editor's Note: updated 11.7.23 Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash cha [cs 749]

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