Wrongful Death Attorney Woodland Hills

A wrongful death lawsuit can arise from any accident caused by negligence. This can include the following:

Medical Malpractice

Examples of medical malpractice include surgical errors, delayed diagnosis and treatment, misdiagnosis, birth injuries, prescription errors, failure to diagnose or treat a medical condition, and nursing home abuse.

Product Liability

Product liability occurs when there are defective or dangerous products. This can be injuries caused by a drug or pharmaceutical product and defective motor vehicles, which can cause car accidents.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Your loved one may have gotten injured in a slip-and-fall accident due to a negligent property owner. This can be caused by exposure to dangerous environments, icy walkways, wet floors, uneven surfaces, and inadequate lighting.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

When another driver is reckless, this can result in a wrongful death claim when accident victims and their passengers pass away due to catastrophic injuries. Examples of motor vehicle accidents include fatal pedestrian accidents, motorcycle accidents, trucking accidents, and drunk driving-related incidents.

Dog Bite Accident

When walking around the neighborhood, your loved one may have been attacked by a dog, resulting in a Woodland Hills wrongful death.

Workplace Injuries

Grossly negligent employers can be the cause of wrongful death in the workplace. Examples of workplace injuries include industrial accidents, construction-related deaths, occupational diseases such as asbestos exposure, fatal falls, and hazardous chemical exposure.

Survivors Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim

In California, the surviving spouse or domestic partner, as well as any children or grandchildren of the deceased, can file a wrongful death claim. The parents of a deceased child may also file a wrongful death claim. In addition, the beneficiaries named in the decedent’s will may have standing to bring a lawsuit for wrongful death.

If the decedent did not have a will, the court may appoint an administrator to handle the claim. In some cases, other relatives such as siblings or grandparents may be able to file a wrongful death claim in California. A wrongful death attorney can evaluate your case and advise you of your rights to compensation.

Understanding the Causes of a Wrongful Death

Your wrongful death lawyer understands the many different causes of wrongful death. They will review your personal injury case to help you choose a course of action. In general, most wrongful death cases arise due to negligence or intentional harm.

Negligence is defined as the failure to exercise reasonable care when performing an act. Intentional harm is defined as any intentional act that results in the injury or death of another individual. Common examples of intentional harm include murder, manslaughter, and vehicular homicide.

To prove a wrongful death case, your wrongful death lawyer must show that there was negligence or intentional harm on the part of the responsible party. The evidence has to show that the other party caused the death of their loved one. There are a variety of methods and evidence that can be used to prove negligence, including medical records, expert testimony, witness statements, photos, and video footage.

Damages Often Included in Wrongful Death Claims

You can seek the following damages in your Woodland Hills wrongful death claim:

• Loss of earnings
• Pain and suffering of the deceased prior to death
• Medical expenses incurred by the deceased before their passing
• Funeral and burial costs associated with the funeral arrangements
• Loss of companionship, which compensates the family members for their loss of the deceased’s love and support
• The emotional distress of family members
• Loss of consortium

How Do I Know if I Have a Case?

If you believe that your loved one’s death was caused by the negligence or intentional harm of another, it is important to contact an experienced Woodland Hills wrongful death attorney who can evaluate your case and determine whether a valid claim exists.
A knowledgeable wrongful death attorney can help guide you through the entire process from start to finish. The other party would have to be negligent according to four tenets.

Duty of Care

The other party had a duty to behave in a safe manner.

Breach of Duty of Care

The other party breached their duty by failing to act appropriately.

Causation

There must be proof that the breach of duty was the actual cause of death.

Damages or Harm

There must be proof that damages resulted from your loved one’s death.

What You Need to Prove in a Wrongful Death Claim

To have a valid wrongful death claim, the family members of the deceased must prove that their loved one’s death was caused by the negligent or intentional act of another.
This can be done using evidence from the scene of the accident. Most wrongful death claims are complicated, and discovering proof rests with the attorney representing the family members of the deceased. Therefore, it is essential to seek experienced legal help to ensure your rights are protected and you get the compensation you deserve.

How Our Lawyer Can Help You

Our experienced attorneys can investigate your wrongful death claim, gathering evidence and information to build a solid case. We will work diligently to prove that the other party’s negligence or intentional harm caused the death of your loved one.
You are entitled to compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and funeral expenses. Before you file a wrongful death lawsuit, we will work to obtain a settlement outside of court to get you the compensation you deserve quickly.
At our law firm, we are committed to protecting your rights and fighting for the compensation you deserve. Our experienced attorneys will work tirelessly on your behalf to negotiate a settlement or go to trial to get you the maximum amount of compensation.
We understand that no amount of money can bring your loved one back, but we are dedicated to helping you seek justice for the wrongful death of your family member. Your attorney won’t require any upfront payment because we work on a contingency-fee basis. Contact Howell LLP  today to learn more.