Best Wrongful Death Lawyer in California
Adamson Ahdoot Specializes in Wrongful Death Cases: Get Expert Legal Help Today
Witnessing the death of a family member or loved one due to someone else’s negligence can be very traumatic. Unfortunately, wrongful death cases are more common than we think. At Adamson Ahdoot, we are committed to helping all victims and family members. With the help of an AA Law wrongful death lawyer, our clients get the payout they deserve after a lawsuit
Due to the seriousness of such an event, it is understandable to have many questions. How long does a wrongful death lawsuit take? Who gets the money in a wrongful death lawsuit? Are wrongful death settlements taxable?
This page will help answer some of your questions. However, if you have additional questions, feel free to contact our injury attorneys today by calling (800) 310-1606 or submitting an inquiry through our website.
What is Wrongful Death?
A wrongful death case happens when there has been an injury accident that resulted in death. This legal term describes a situation where negligence was the cause of a person’s death.
There are several reasons why a wrongful death can occur. These include medical malpractice, automobile collisions, slips and falls on public or private property, food contamination, etc.
California’s wrongful death statute is found in the Code of Civil Procedure, Article 377.60. It states that family members or eligible beneficiaries of a wrongful death can sue for damages. However, in order for this to be possible, the deceased person must have died as a result of the negligence, recklessness, or intentional acts of another person.
The Benefits of Hiring a Los Angeles and California Wrongful Death Attorney
There are many reasons why you may need a lawyer for a wrongful death case. These professionals help families both emotionally and legally. In fact, this is one of the biggest perks: support and assistance from the beginning to the end of the process.
Having an expert to guide the family after the tragedy makes the experience more bearable. However, in order to win a wrongful death case, the plaintiff must prove certain elements.
At Adamson Ahdoot, we have compiled some statistics on the impact of wrongful death in California:
- According to the CDC, the number of unintentional deaths is 227,039.
- Medical errors account for 9.5% of annual deaths nationwide. This makes medical malpractice one of the most common causes of death. In addition, 96.6% of medical malpractice lawsuits are settled out of court.
- More than 70,000 deaths are related to food poisoning or contamination.
- As for wrongful death numbers from a car accident, there are about 12.8 deaths per 100,000 people.
- About 58% of wrongful death lawsuits that go to trial in California are won by plaintiffs.
Protecting the rights of our clients is the goal of our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys. Our wrongful death experts will work to ensure that the family or other beneficiaries receive compensation for the harm caused by the loss. The amount of damages will depend on many factors.
The help and guidance of an experienced wrongful death attorney, such as those at Adamson Ahdoot, can help you obtain the settlement and justice you deserve.
FAQs
Unfortunately, many cases of unintentional injury occur every day. An Adamson Ahdoot wrongful death lawyer will work with you to secure the financial recovery you deserve. In addition, our team will guide you through the legal process, from filing the claim to representing you at trial.
We will also communicate with you to ensure you understand every step we take and answer any questions you may have. Whether you have questions about how much a wrongful death lawsuit is worth or want to know what strategy to pursue, we’ll be there for you. Thus, our goal is clear: to make the responsible party pay for their negligence and to obtain a satisfactory settlement for the victim.
Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Claim in California?
In California, the law divides those eligible to sue for wrongful death into several groups. When filing a wrongful death lawsuit, only the immediate family or legal beneficiaries can sue. In the absence of a spouse, children, grandchildren, or other dependents, the law has established a list of eligibility to know who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in California.
This group includes:
- Children of the victim’s putative spouse or stepchildren
- Parents, grandparents, or legal guardians of the victim
- Half-brothers/sisters
What is the Average Payout in a Wrongful Death Suit?
In California, a wrongful death lawsuit requires the plaintiff to prove certain evidence. With the help of a wrongful death attorney, the victim will be able to gather enough evidence to build a strong case.
By law, the types of financial compensation available to the victim’s family members or survivors include economic and non-economic damages.
- Economic damages to cover all out-of-pocket expenses. This includes everything from lost wages to pre-death medical expenses. It also covers any expenses related to the victim’s injury prior to death.
- Non-economic damages related to pain and suffering. For example, loss of companionship, loss of privacy, or difficulty adjusting to the future.
But, what is the average amount that can be recovered in a wrongful death lawsuit, and how does the process work? In our experience, most wrongful death lawsuits are usually settled before going to trial. However, if you have to go to trial, there are several factors that determine the potential settlement: the severity of the injury, age, income, and life expectancy.
In the case of a joint claim with a sibling, how to divide a wrongful death settlement? In this case, it will be divided equally between the sibling plaintiffs.
At Adamson Ahdoot, we have been protecting the rights of our clients for over a decade. We are committed to building strong claims so that victims of negligence can recover just compensation. In fact, we recently obtained one of the largest wrongful death settlements in recent years at $9 million.
How Long Does a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Take?
As we have discussed, each wrongful death case is unique. Each takes a different amount of time to settle and has a different settlement. However, when we talk about how long it takes to settle a wrongful death suit, the time frame is definite: between 1 and 4 years on average. According to private research, the average is usually between 18 months. But, if the case goes to trial, the timeline is much longer.
The process involves many stages and a delicate procedure. These range from investigating the accident, gathering evidence and witnesses, filing the lawsuit, and negotiating with the guilty party.
100 Years of Personal Injury Legal Experience
As a leader in the personal injury field, Adamson Ahdoot is the best choice for legal representation. Based in Los Angeles, we are one of the most experienced wrongful death law firms in California. Our experts are available 24/7 for any consultation and can assist you in Spanish and English.
Let a wrongful death lawyer from our firm help you today. Contact us to discuss your case today by calling (800) 310-1606 or submitting an online inquiry through our website.