Wrongful Death Attorney in Tracy

Competent Central Valley Attorneys for Your Case

Wrongful death is a case in which an individual’s death is the direct cause of a variety of circumstances including negligence, unsafe environments, and wrongful actions. Pursue justice for the sake of your lost loved one by hiring our team at Bakerink, McCusker and Belden Law. Here, you are our priority. We devote our time to the investigation and evaluation of your case—helping you to determine the facts and sort out the evidence in order to know the best legal course of action you can pursue.

The trauma of losing someone you love can be compounded if you know that it was avoidable. If you have lost a loved one to someone else’s negligence, it’s essential that you contact a qualified attorney in Tracy. The experienced team of attorneys at Bakerink, McCusker and Belden Law can offer you the legal advice and capable representation you deserve for your wrongful death case. We are passionate about providing our clients with the best legal services possible. Call our law firm today for a no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation of your case.

Wrongful Death Lawsuits in California

In the state of California, wrongful death is defined as any death that results because of the negligence or wrongful actions of another party, whether an individual or an entity. It should not be confused with homicide, which is a criminal suit that can only be brought by the state. Wrongful death is a civil lawsuit that can be brought even if the defendant is already facing a criminal lawsuit. However, a wrongful death suit must be filed within two years of the person’s death.

Wrongful death cases include a variety of situations such as:

• Auto accidents
• Work accidents
• Construction accidents
• Violence
• Product defects

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Only certain people are eligible to file wrongful death lawsuits. Under California law, the following parties are entitled to bring wrongful death charges against the responsible party:

• The spouse and children of the deceased person.
• The domestic partner of the deceased person.
• The parents, grandparents, siblings, or children of the deceased person.
• Any individuals who were financially dependent on the deceased person.

Compensation for Wrongful Death

If the defendant in a wrongful death suit is found guilty, the court will require the defendant to pay financial compensation to the claimants. The claimants may be compensated for funeral and burial expenses, medical bills for the decedent, lost income, lost financial support, and other financial losses. Monetary compensation may also be awarded for loss of love, support, and companionship.

If there are multiple plaintiffs involved in a suit, the jury will award the compensation to all of them as a group. It will be up to the claimants to decide how they will divide the compensation between them. If the claimants cannot agree on proper division of the financial award, it may be necessary to go to court again to settle the matter. In order to prevent this issue from arising, it is best to settle the question of division of compensation as early as possible in the process.

As the descendant or heir of the deceased, you may be entitled to a number of compensation options, depending on the circumstances of your case. Speak with our Tracy, Manteca, Livermore & greater Central Valley lawyers so you can take the appropriate course of action. Call 209-835-9592 to schedule a consultation.