What You Need to Know About Wrongful Deaths

Losing a loved one is never easy, especially when the loved one was taken as a result of the

negligent actions of another. If someone in your family has wrongfully died due to the negligent

action of a doctor, caretaker, or other individual or entity, you may be entitled to compensation

for your loss.

If you are considering bringing a wrongful death suit to trial, you should be aware of a few

things before you proceed. As with all legal matters, your best course of action is consulting with

a wrongful death attorney in Los Angeles to discuss the specifics of your case. However, use the

following as a general guideline on how wrongful death suits are handled in California:

Understanding Wrongful Deaths

Not all deaths are considered “wrongful” by California

law. Justifiable homicide, the death of an unborn

child, and certain medical malpractice deaths are not

eligible to be tried as a wrongful death. The basic rule

of a wrongful death case is that the person being

charged must be substantially responsible for the death

through negligence, direct action, or inaction. This is

why some suicides qualify as a wrongful death when it

is shown that a caretaker failed to take protective

action. A qualified wrongful death attorney can help

you understand whether your case fits under current

California guidelines.

Limitations to Wrongful Death Litigation

If you’re considering contacting a wrongful death attorney in Los Angeles, you’ll need to talk to

other friends and family members of the deceased before proceeding. Under California law, there

can be only one wrongful death suit against the responsible individual; all claimants who wish to

participate in a wrongful death case must do so under a singular suit. Any heirs filing a wrongful

death suit are legally mandated to contact all other surviving heirs — if you are an heir to the

victim it is vital that you work to loop in every other surviving heir before your court

proceedings begin.

Wrongful death laws are quite complicated. It’s best that you work directly with a reputable and

experienced wrongful death attorney to ensure your case falls within legal guidelines and covers

all necessary bases for a successful outcome.

For more information or inquiries or to schedule a consultation please visit

www.WestCoastTrialLawyers.com or contact us at (888) 888-WCTL(9285).