Woodland Hills Wrongful Death Lawyer

Wrongful deaths are a tragic and unfortunate occurrence that has a devastating effect on the surviving family members. As there are a number of possible events that can lead to an untimely passing of a loved one, it is important for their surviving spouse or other relatives to do their part in ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. While it is understandable for the grieving families to take their time and process their losses, it is recommended for them to take legal action if there is an at-fault party responsible for the wrongful act.

If your loved one’s death was due to someone else’s negligence or ill intent, West Coast Trial Lawyers can help you bring justice to those involved. We are a personal injury law firm with over 20 years of legal experience in handling wrongful death cases and we are confident in our ability to get you the financial compensation you deserve for your losses. 

We have recovered over $1.7 billion in compensation for our clients and our compassionate team of wrongful death lawyers are available 24/7 to answer any questions or concerns you may have about your case.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling us at (213) 927-3700 or by filling out our quick online contact form.

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?

A civil wrongful death claim is defined as a lawsuit that involves the passing of a person due to the neglectful or reckless act of another person or party. This can include a victim sustaining fatal injuries in an unexpected accident to being involved in a fatal accident from the beginning. According to section 377.60 of California Code of Civil Procedure, they are classified under personal injury law due to the number of things that can lead up to a wrongful death.

With that in mind, many personal injury law firms have specialized teams that can handle wrongful death claims. If you are unsure about the strength or legitimacy of your claim, it is recommended to discuss your case with a wrongful death lawyer to get a better understanding of your case.

Understanding the Causes of a Wrongful Death

From what is generally seen in Woodland Hills, traffic accidents such as car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents are some of the most common causes of a wrongful death. As each of these causes entail their own sets of challenges, it is important to understand the differences between them in order to have a better grasp of your situation.

Car Accident

Car accident fatalities are one of the most common types of wrongful deaths that can happen to accident victims due to the amount of possible fatal injuries that can be sustained in an accident. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, they have determined in a 2021 Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash report that there were an estimated 6,102,936 police-reported traffic crashes with about 42,939 people killed.

As negligent drivers are reported to cause more car accidents than any other available cause, the chances of a fatal accident and an unexpected death to come into fruition in this scenario can happen when you least expect it. Which is why it is important to hire a wrongful death lawyer who is well versed in traffic accidents in order to seek legal advice on next steps.

Motorcycle Accidents

The National Safety Council has discovered in a motorcycle accident report that about 14.6% of all traffic fatalities in 2022 were from motorcyclists. As motorcycles are smaller and harder to spot on the road, it is easier for negligent and reckless drivers to accidentally hit a motorcyclist and cause a severe accident. So if you are filing a wrongful death claim for a fatal motorcycle accident, it is important that your family domestic partner finds evidence to prove that they were negligent in their actions.

Pedestrian Accidents

It’s no secret that pedestrians are very vulnerable when they are out on the street and according to a pedestrian safety report conducted by the CDC, nearly 8,000 pedestrians were killed due to motor vehicle accidents in 2021. Due to the low chances of a pedestrian surviving a head on collision with a car is low, wrongful death cases in these specific scenarios are considered to be some of the most straight-forward, because the negligent party would assume all legal responsibility for the accident in question.

Available Damages in a Wrongful Death Case 

Depending on the wrongful death claim, there are a number of damages you can pursue for in a wrongful death claim, however, economic and non-economic damages are the most common form of damages that can be recovered. So if you are going to take legal action against a negligent party, it is important to understand what kind of damages you can recover.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are defined as calculable losses, designed to compensate a plaintiff for losses where a dollar amount can readily be attached to. For example, funeral and burial expenses, loss of earning capacity, medical bills, and property damages are all things that can be financially recovered. These damages are calculated by determining the amount of out-of-pocket losses an aggrieved individual or family member has or will expect to incur as a result of their injuries or death.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are defined as incalculable losses and it is intended to cover losses that are thought of as subjective and are difficult to place a monetary value on. For instance, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, and emotional distress are all things that will vary from person to person. As such, the emotional impact that these damages have on the victim’s family members and the attorney’s ability to negotiate will be the determining factor in how much they can recover.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

If you lost a loved one in a tragic accident you may be eligible to pursue compensation for your loss. While there is no amount of money that can replace a human life, it can help solve more practical problems that may arise in an unfortunate death. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of wrongful death lawyers are to help you with your claim and fight for the deceased.

We are a law firm that specializes in personal injury cases and our team of attorneys are confident that they can get you the compensation you deserve for your losses. With over 20 years of legal experience, we have recovered over $1.7 billion in financial compensation for our deserving clients and we will continue to do our duty to guide our clients through the legal process. As wrongful death cases can take an emotional toll, our legal team is available 24/7 to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding your case.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE initial consultation today, we welcome you to reach out to our 24/7 legal team by calling us at (213) 927-3700 or by completing our easy online contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wrongful Death Cases in Woodland Hills

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

According to section 377.60 of California’s Code of Civil Procedure, immediate family members like parents, children, and spouses can file a wrongful death lawsuit. However, if there is no immediate family to file a claim for the deceased then distant family members and personal representatives can file a claim. If you are unsure about your ability to pursue wrongful death actions then it is recommended to consult with a wrongful death attorney to get a better understanding of your case.

How Much Is a Wrongful Death Settlement?

Wrongful death settlements will always vary on a case-by-case basis, but generally speaking, they can be valued anywhere between the six to seven figure range in order to compensate the grieving families. However, there are always multiple factors that can potentially affect the awarded compensation such as available damages, the nature of the accidental death, and the impact it had on the surviving family members.

What Is The Difference Between A Wrongful Death and A Homicide?

The main differences between a wrongful death and a homicide is the legal intent and how it is processed in the court system. Wrongful death claims are usually filed by the victim’s family in order to recover compensation for their passing, meanwhile a homicide is filed by the government to punish those responsible for their actions.