Orange County Wrongful Death Lawyer

When an accident ends tragically in death, the victim cannot bring a lawsuit. But that does not mean that whoever caused the accident gets off scot-free. If the victim would have had grounds to sue, the lawsuit survives to be filed by the victim's estate and family members.

When this happens, it is called a lawsuit for "wrongful death." A wrongful death is one that can be blamed on the intentional, or even the accidental, acts of someone else. A wrongful death might be brought about by a defective product, an employer's neglect in following safety codes or a reckless driver's accidental failure to stop for a red light.

Whatever the cause, and whether it happened in Orange County or elsewhere, an accident that ends in death leaves loved ones devastated. Family members are left to face not only the pain of their loss but also medical bills, unpaid credit card debts and other financial losses.

Recovering damages from whoever caused the wrongful death may offer the best possible hope for the victim's family members. If you lose someone to a wrongful death, seek help from an Orange County wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible. Otherwise, you may lose the right to recover anything from your claim.

California Wrongful Death Lawsuits

Who is entitled to recover damages for someone's wrongful death? In California, the spouse and children are eligible. But survivors are often unaware that other family members may also have a valid claim for wrongful death damages. For example, a stepchild who relied on the victim for support may be able to recover damages. If the victim had no closer relatives, an aunt or uncle may be entitled to wrongful death damages.

An Orange County wrongful death attorney will be able to tell you if you have a potential wrongful death damages claim.

Recovering Damages for an Orange County Wrongful Death

A wrongful death lawsuit is different in some ways than one brought by a surviving injury victim. The surviving victim can sue to recover damages for future events, such as long-term pain and loss of the enjoyment of life. In a wrongful death lawsuit, the victim's survivors can recover only their own losses. Their wrongful death damages might include:

• Damages for their loss of the victim's love and companionship.
• Damages to compensate them for the loss of the victim's financial support.
• Damages to cover the costs of the victim's funeral.
• Damages to pay others to do the household chores the victim would have done.

In certain Orange County wrongful death cases, survivors may be entitled to sue for their emotional distress. This is permitted when a close relative of the victim, such as a spouse or sibling, witnesses the injury that resulted in death. An experienced wrongful death lawyer can advise you about your rights to recover these and other types of damages.

Orange County Wrongful Death Lawsuits by the Victim's Estate

In addition to the lawsuits that the victim's survivors may bring, the victim's estate may be entitled to bring a lawsuit of its own. Here, "estate" means the legal entity appointed after someone's death to wrap up remaining financial and personal matters. Even though the victim is no longer alive, the estate can sue for money that would have been owed to the victim. Any money recovered is first used to pay the victim's remaining debts and is then distributed to the victim's heirs.

In the case of a wrongful death, the victim's estate may bring what is called a "survivor action." This type of lawsuit mirrors the one that the victim could have brought had he or she survived.

Consider the example of a man hit by a speeding car on an Orange County street and then hospitalized for three months. If he survived, the man could sue the driver for pain and suffering, medical expenses and lost wages, among other things. If he died, his estate could bring a survivor action, even if he never filed suit while alive.

The survivor action would seek damages for the victim's three months of pain and suffering, medical expenses and lost wages. The proceeds would go into the victim's estate, to be distributed according to the deceased's will or by law.

Experience is Key in an Orange County Wrongful Death Lawyer

If you lose a loved one in a wrongful death, you should consult promptly with an Orange County wrongful death attorney. An experienced Orange County wrongful death lawyer will be able to tell you if you have a valid claim for wrongful death damages. Your Orange County wrongful death attorney will also be able to advise you concerning whether a wrongful death action or a survivor action is your best option, or if both are possible.

The attorneys at The Reeves Law Group have helped thousands of personal injury victims get the compensation the law allows. The lawyers at the firm's Orange County offices have the firm's considerable financial resources and support services at their disposal. They will use them to help see your case to a favorable conclusion. For a free consultation concerning your wrongful death claim, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or e-mail us.