Santa Monica Wrongful Death Attorneys

The death of a loved one is one of life’s most traumatic experiences, especially when caused by the wrongful or negligence of another. At Schwimer Weinstein, we first want to express our sincerest sympathy for your loss. We cannot image how difficult this time can be for you and your family.

There are laws in California that are designed to compensate surviving family members for the loss of a loved one if their death was caused by the negligence, recklessness or wrongful act of another party. We know that no amount of money can replace the life of a loved one, or even compensate for the grief that you currently feel. However, the law does account for the financial losses that your family may currently be suffering from.

If your loved one’s death was caused by someone else’s negligence, recklessness or wrongful acts, then you should speak with an experienced wrongful death attorney. We recognize that hiring an attorney may be the last thing on your mind, but filing a wrongful death lawsuit is just one step you can take toward securing your family’s financial future.

Who can sue for wrongful death in California?

In order to file a wrongful death lawsuit, you must be able to prove to the court that you have standing to sue, or that you have a sufficient connection to the legal matter at hand. Typically, this involves an immediate family member, such as a parent, spouse, sibling or child of the deceased. 

When should you file a California wrongful death lawsuit?

Just like personal injury cases, there is a limited window of time in which surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit. This window of time is known as the Statute of Limitations. 

A California wrongful death lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of the death. If the wrongful death case is not filed in the state's civil court system within this two year time frame, then surviving family members will lose the right to file their claim.

Why should you file a wrongful death lawsuit?

The loss of a loved one often comes with great financial burden, especially when the deceased was a primary earner for the household. There are a number of remedies available to surviving families, however, the financial recovery available will depend on the specific facts of each case. 

Compensation awarded to surviving family members comes in the form of damages. Damages are designed to compensate for losses associated with the death, or financial losses of the surviving family members. Monetary damages can be awarded for the decedent’s medical or funeral expenses, and can also cover loss of economic support (if the decedent was the primary source of income), loss of companionship, and compensation for pain and suffering. In some cases, the court may also award what is known as punitive damages which are designed to ensure that the wrongful actions that caused the death will never happen again.

Contact a Santa Monica wrongful death lawyer today

If you believe that your loved one is the victim of a wrongful death, then you should contact a Santa Monica wrongful death attorney to discuss your case. Schwimer Weinstein can help make this difficult time a little easier by making sure you get the monetary compensation that you are entitled to. We are committed to your success and will give your case the attention it deserves.

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