Standing With Grieving Families After Wrongful Death

When a person or company’s irresponsible actions lead to a death, families may wonder how they can move forward. In addition to the grief those families feel, they wonder how to seek justice for the loss of their loved one. A wrongful death claim can offer their family both financial support and the ability to hold that party accountable.

At Law Offices of Eric Hershler, APC, we stand with families after a car crash or other preventable accidents take their loved one from them. Our firm has represented thousands of injured people throughout California, and we will stand with you at every stage of the legal process.

Can You File A Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

While the loss of a loved one can have a significant impact on anyone in their life, only some family members can bring a wrongful death lawsuit. These include their surviving spouse or domestic partner, their children and their grandchildren if their children have already passed.

However, it is important to remember that these people must file their claim within a specific statute of limitations. They have two years to file a claim after your loved one’s passing.

What Compensation Can A Wrongful Death Claim Offer?

In California, a wrongful death lawsuit provides compensation for the many ways that a person’s death impacts their surviving loved ones. This compensation may include:

• Expenses related to burial and funeral
• Loss of financial income that the deceased would have contributed to the household
• Loss of nonmonetary support that the person who passed away would have provided
• The surviving spouse’s loss of companionship
• Any surviving child’s loss of a parental relationship, including the moral support or guidance they would have provided

What Is The Process For Filing A Claim?

The first steps in filing a claim are identifying the person responsible for the death of the person who passed and gathering evidence to support the claim. After gathering this key information, the surviving loved ones will file a wrongful death lawsuit with the court. Once the lawsuit enters the court system, there will be a fact-finding period called “discovery” before the lawsuit enters mediation or trial.

At every stage of this process, legal guidance can be invaluable. An attorney can help people identify negligent parties who contributed to their loved one’s death, build a strong case and provide information to help people make informed decisions.