Oroville Wrongful Death Lawyer

Compassionate Legal Counsel for Grieving Families

Our Oroville wrongful death attorney at the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley has the experience and knowledge to help you and your family through this difficult time. We understand the emotional hardship that comes with the loss of a loved one and want to provide you with the compassionate legal representation you need. We can handle all the legal details of your case and work to obtain the compensation you deserve for your loss.

Our firm has helped many clients successfully recover the compensation they need to move forward after a devastating loss. We know the law and can put our experience to work for you. We are available to answer your questions and address your concerns. You can depend on us to provide you with the caring and personalized legal support you deserve.

Contact our Oroville wrongful death lawyer today at (530) 413-0245 to schedule a free consultation.

What is a Wrongful Death?

A wrongful death is defined as a death that is caused by the negligence or intentional act of another person or entity. When a person is killed due to the wrongful actions of another, the surviving family members may be able to bring a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party.

Wrongful death claims are often filed after fatal accidents, including:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Premises liability accidents
• Defective product accidents
• Workplace accidents
• Medical malpractice

Our firm can help you determine if you have a valid wrongful death claim and guide you through the legal process.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?

Under California law, only certain individuals are allowed to file a wrongful death claim. These individuals are typically the ones who are most affected by the loss of the deceased.

The following parties are generally allowed to file a wrongful death claim in California:

• The surviving spouse or domestic partner of the deceased
• The surviving children of the deceased
• If there is no surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children, the claim may be filed by anyone who would be entitled to the property of the deceased under California intestate succession laws. This can include the deceased’s parents, siblings, and other close relatives.

In California, to succeed in a wrongful death lawsuit, you typically need to prove the following elements:

1. Duty of Care: You must establish that the defendant owed a duty of care to the deceased. This duty of care could arise from various relationships, such as a doctor-patient relationship, a driver's duty to operate a vehicle safely, or a property owner's duty to maintain a safe environment.
2. Breach of Duty: You need to demonstrate that the defendant breached the duty of care owed to the deceased. This means showing that the defendant's actions or failure to act fell short of the standard of care expected in the given circumstances.
3. Causation: You must prove that the defendant's breach of duty was a direct cause of the death. This involves establishing a causal link between the defendant's actions or negligence and the fatal outcome.
4. Death: It seems obvious, but you need to prove that the individual died as a result of the defendant's actions or negligence. This may require medical evidence and documentation confirming the cause of death.
5. Damages: You must demonstrate that the death resulted in damages for the surviving family members or beneficiaries. These damages may include economic losses such as medical expenses, funeral costs, and loss of financial support, as well as non-economic losses such as emotional distress, loss of companionship, and pain and suffering.

What Damages Are Available in a Wrongful Death Case?

When a wrongful death occurs, the surviving family members may be able to seek compensation for their losses. While no amount of money can ever replace the loss of a loved one, a wrongful death claim can help the surviving family members recover the financial support they need to move forward with their lives.

Compensation in a wrongful death case can include:

• Medical expenses
• Funeral and burial costs
• Lost wages and benefits
• Loss of future income
• Loss of love, companionship, and support
• Loss of household services
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium

If you have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another, it is important to speak to an experienced wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. In California, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim is generally two years from the date of death. If you do not file a claim within this time limit, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation.

How Our Firm Can Help

If you have lost a loved one due to the wrongful actions of another, our firm can help you seek justice. We can handle all the legal details of your case and work to obtain the maximum compensation you are entitled to. We can help you file a wrongful death claim and guide you through the entire legal process.

When you choose our firm, you can expect:

• Compassionate and personalized representation. We know you are going through a difficult time and want to provide you with the caring and compassionate legal support you deserve.
• Aggressive advocacy. We are not afraid to stand up to the insurance companies and fight for your rights. We will do everything we can to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
• Responsive communication. We understand that you have questions and concerns and are available to answer your phone calls and emails promptly. We will provide you with regular case updates and keep you informed every step of the way.

Call our Oroville wrongful death attorney today at (530) 413-0245 to learn how we can be of assistance to you.