Anaheim Wrongful Death Lawyers

What Is Considered a Wrongful Death in Anaheim?

A wrongful death is when someone passes away because of another person’s reckless or negligent decisions and actions. When someone dies due to another’s failure to act carefully and responsibly, their surviving family members have the right to file a lawsuit against the negligent party.

Most wrongful deaths arise from one of two things: negligence and malpractice. Negligence is when someone acts recklessly, leading to a fatality. Malpractice, on the other hand, is when a professional with a duty of care (like a doctor or caregiver) breaches that duty, leading to someone’s tragic yet preventable death.

How Wrongful Deaths Occur in Anaheim

There are so many kinds of wrongful deaths out there. As long as you can prove that someone’s actions are responsible for the death of another, it’s considered a wrongful death. But some causes of these deaths are more prevalent than others. Here are how most wrongful deaths happen in Anaheim.

• Car accidents:  Distracted, reckless driving can harm other people on the road. An example of this in Anaheim is a heartbreaking case of a drunk driver killing another driver on the road. The victim was a mother of three who survived the crash at first, but was trapped in her vehicle because of the collision. She died in the hospital an hour later.
• Truck accidents:  Trucks are massive, so they’re always high-risk for accidents and fatalities when they’re on the road. In 2023, a huge truck overturned onto the 57 Freeway in Anaheim, killing another person when it landed on their vehicle.
• Motorcycle and bicycle accidents:  Motorcycles and bikes are particularly vulnerable because they don’t have as much protection as other cars. When aggressive drivers don’t see them on the road, it could cause a crash.
• Pedestrian accidents:  Reckless drivers who don’t respect the rights of pedestrians might end up hitting innocent people at curbs and crosswalks.
• Medical malpractice:  When serious mistakes are made in hospitals and nursing homes, the people responsible for them could get sued.
• Premises liability:  Some fatal injuries happen at the hands of property owners who don’t keep their premises safe, leading to slips, falls, and other injuries that lead to death.

How a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Anaheim Can Help

Navigating the legal system to seek justice after a loved one’s wrongful death feels impossible when you’re still recovering from the loss. Luckily, you don’t have to go through it alone. Our seasoned Anaheim wrongful death lawyers can help put together a case for you so you can put your energy into healing. When we step in, you’ll get assistance in:

• Investigating your case and gathering the evidence you need to beef it up
• Liaising with adjusters and insurance companies that want to lowball you
• Calculating how much you should receive in damages
• Filling up paperwork and officially filing a lawsuit
• Representing you in a trial should your case go to court
• Negotiating the amount you receive if the other party proposes a settlement
• Providing any type of legal support you need so you don’t have to do any guesswork

We’re ready to be the advocates you need to fight for your rights and get you the financial compensation you deserve. If you want to learn more about what we can do for your case, sign up for a FREE CASE REVIEW with our team.

How Much Do the Services of a Wrongful Death Attorney Cost?

Most wrongful death attorneys charge clients a contingency fee for their services. Instead of a fixed rate per case, they’ll charge anywhere between 25% and 40% of the total damages or settlement the client receives. Of course, this can change depending on how difficult the case was.

But at Thompson Law, we believe that justice doesn’t have a hefty price tag on it. That’s why we provide free consultations and case reviews to anyone who needs it without asking for upfront fees. We do the work first. The only time we ask for a fee is if we win your case or successfully get you a settlement. Otherwise, you don’t owe us a cent.

When Is the Deadline for Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

There’s a strict statute of limitations California residents must follow if they wish to file a wrongful death case. Most of the time, the hard deadline for filing these cases is two years after the passing of the victim. But other times, like when medical malpractice is the cause of the death, you only have one year to file your claim.

Our lawyers can help you pinpoint the exact deadline for your lawsuit depending on the unique elements of your case.

Who Can Sue for a Wrongful Death Claim in Anaheim?

According to the California Code of Civil Procedure, surviving family members and dependents of the victim can file a wrongful death lawsuit. These include:

• The deceased’s surviving spouse, and their children and grandchildren
• The intestate successor, which is usually their parents or siblings
• Their putative spouse, or one who believes in good faith that they are married to the deceased, even if it’s later proven to be an invalid marriage
• Their financial dependents, whether or not they were blood relatives

What Evidence Can Support My Wrongful Death Claim?

If you want to strengthen your case in court later on, we highly recommend gathering as much evidence as possible to support your wrongful death claim. Here are some key pieces of evidence to document regarding your case.

• Police reports detailing the events of an accident
• Witness statements from people who saw the negligent actions that led to someone’s death
• Medical records that show the injuries sustained by the victim. These can also include the treatments they had to get before they died
• Expert testimony from doctors, psychologists, and more
• CCTV footage showing the accused being reckless or negligent
• Photos and videos from when the accident or malpractice occurred
• A coroner’s report or autopsy showing what directly caused the victim’s death
• Text messages, emails, and other forms of communication to strengthen the claim that the accused breached their duty of care to the victim

Having trouble obtaining these key pieces of evidence? Our Anaheim wrongful death lawyers can step in and collect them for you. We’ll liaise with witnesses, experts, and even government entities to make sure we have the proof we need to lead your case to victory.

Anaheim Hospitals and Police Stations

Hospitals and police stations play a key role in wrongful death suits, especially upon the discovery of the passing. As an Anaheim resident, it’s important to know the nearest hospitals and law enforcement stations near you. That way, in the case of an accident or wrongful death, you can ask for help immediately.

Need to rush a loved one to the hospital? Here are local hospitals that can provide top-tier healthcare to help out:

• AHMC Anaheim Regional Medical Center
• Anaheim Global Medical Center
• West Anaheim Medical Center
• Kaiser Permanente Orange County – Anaheim Medical Center
• UCI Health (Anaheim)

There are also Anaheim police stations and law enforcement agencies scattered throughout the city. That way, residents from all over can come in and ask for assistance. If you need to contact the authorities related to a wrongful death, reach out to the following:

• Anaheim Police Department Headquarters (425 S. Harbor Blvd.)
• Anaheim West Substation (320 S Beach Blvd.)
• Anaheim East Substation (8201 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road)

Feel free to contact California Highway Patrol (Anaheim) and the ⁃ Orange County Sheriff’s Department as well.

What Kinds of Compensation Are Available for Grieving Families?

Money might be the last thing on your mind when you lose a loved one in an unjust way. But seeking just compensation from those liable for the death can help ease the financial burden on you. Here are the three kinds of compensatory damages that can be awarded to you for what you and your family have had to go through.

• Economic damages:  These are meant to compensate for losses that you actually spent on. It includes medical bills, rehabilitation treatments, burial costs, lost wages, and property damage.
• Non-economic damages:  Damages that aren’t based on actual expenses, but compensate non-tangible losses that have taken a toll on the victim’s surviving family. It includes pain and suffering, loss of companionship, loss of consortium, mental anguish, and more.
• Punitive damages:  If lawyers can prove that the accused acted with extreme negligence, malice, or and grave, intentional misconduct, these damages are awarded to the family.

Take the First Step to Healing With Our Anaheim Wrongful Death Lawyers

Losing someone is a pain so great that it can shatter your world overnight. You don’t just have to deal with life without the person you love, but you might start feeling the financial burden of not having them around.

By contacting our Anaheim wrongful death lawyers and seeking justice, you can demand accountability from the people who hurt your loved one. Not only will you get answers to the questions you’re looking for about losing your beloved family member, but you also stand a chance at getting fair compensation on their behalf. Let’s work together to fight this battle. Reach out to us today for a FREE CONSULTATION.

FAQs About Wrongful Death Cases in Anaheim

Will my case go to trial or be settled out of court?

What many people don’t realize is that most wrongful death lawsuits don’t make it to trial. Instead, they’re settled out of court for the convenience of every party involved. Settlements are way faster than trials, which can go on for years. So, there’s a big chance that your case will reach a settlement before it goes to court. Of course, if your lawyer feels that the settlement offer isn’t good enough, they’ll recommend for you to pursue the lawsuit.

What is the average settlement for wrongful death in Anaheim?

Each wrongful death case is different, and so it’s hard to pinpoint an average settlement amount. Every lawsuit is unique and has its own complexities, from how much the victim suffered to how negligent and malicious the defendant acted. You can expect these kinds of lawsuits to range from $250,000 to over a million dollars.

Is there a cap for wrongful death claims in Anaheim?

There’s no set maximum amount for claims surrounding a wrongful death in the state of California. The only exception is when the case involves medical malpractice, which has a cap of $500,000.

How are wrongful death proceeds divided among heirs in Anaheim?

Compensatory damages or settlement money is distributed to the heirs of the deceased. Those who are more financially dependent on them typically receive a higher amount than those who aren’t.