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Losing someone you love is one of life’s most painful experiences, especially when their death was preventable and was because of someone else’s carelessness. Whether it was a car accident, medical malpractice, or a workplace tragedy, knowing it could have been avoided makes the grief even harder to carry. While no amount of money or legal action can fill the void of losing your loved one, holding the responsible party accountable can be a helpful part of the healing process.
At Thompson Law, we walk beside grieving families and help them make sense of what happened, understand their rights, and pursue justice in a way that honors their loved one’s life. You don’t have to navigate the wrongful death of a loved one alone. We’re here to support you every step of the way and ensure you get the compensation and accountability your family deserves.
Learn how our Modesto wrongful death lawyers can help your case by booking a FREE CONSULTATION with us today.
A wrongful death is when someone passes away because of the negligent or reckless actions of another person or entity. Some of these situations might include a fatal car accident caused by negligent drivers, a deadly fall on private property, or a critical failure on the part of medical professionals. If a death occurs in this manner, the surviving relatives may have a solid case and the right to pursue a wrongful death claim.
It’s important to note that wrongful death claims are civil cases, not criminal ones. They are designed to help families recover both financial and emotional losses. Our Modesto wrongful death lawyers can help you determine whether your loved one’s passing meets the legal standard for wrongful death and guide you through your options. Book a FREE CASE REVIEW with us today.
While it’s possible to file a wrongful death claim without an attorney, doing so means you might have to face legal deadlines and procedural hurdles without the legal guidance and protection you deserve. A wrongful death lawyer can step in to handle the hard parts, like investigating the facts and building your case to make sure no detail is overlooked.
At Thompson Law, we help grieving families in Modesto get the justice and compensation they’re entitled to while giving them the space to focus on healing.
If you’re unsure whether you need a lawyer after the death of a loved one, let’s talk. Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION with us today and see how we can help carry the legal burden for you.
After a sudden loss, choosing the right law firm matters. Families across Modesto turn to Thompson Law because we have the legal experience and relentless drive to bring them justice. Here’s what sets our firm apart:
We fight for families because we care about what you’ve lost. Reach out today for a FREE CONSULTATION and let our Modesto wrongful death lawyers represent you.
Wrongful death cases almost always involve multiple layers of legal complexity. Unlike a typical personal injury claim, these cases must prove not only that someone was at fault, but also that their actions directly caused a person’s death and that surviving family members suffered losses as a result.
In many situations, multiple parties are involved, conflicting accounts of what happened, or disputes over liability. All of these require careful investigation and a strong legal strategy that only experienced lawyers can create and execute effectively.
That’s why having a Modesto wrongful death attorney on your side matters. At Thompson Law, our lawyers know how to navigate these complexities and fight for justice for your family while honoring your loved one’s legacy.
No one should have to carry the burden of navigating the legal process alone after losing someone they love. Our lawyers can help you honor your loved one’s life by holding liable parties accountable. We’ll help you find peace and closure by giving your case the deep respect and personal attention it deserves. Your loved one’s story matters, and we’re here to make sure their story is heard and their family isn’t left behind.
When you’re grieving, you shouldn’t have to go through the motions of talking to insurance companies or gathering evidence. You should be using your time and energy to heal.
Our Modesto wrongful death lawyers use their legal knowledge and investigative skills to strengthen your case and help your family find closure. We’ll help you:
Want to learn more about how we can strengthen your case? Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION with our team today and let us help you find answers.
Wrongful death can happen in many ways. Our wrongful death lawyers in Modesto have the experience and resources to handle a wide range of fatal accident cases, including:
If you lost a loved one in any of these situations, reach out to us and book a FREE CONSULTATION. We’re here to listen and help you understand your options moving forward.
In California, who can file a wrongful death suit is typically limited to certain close family members. This includes the deceased person’s spouse or domestic partner, children, and, in some cases, grandchildren. Others who were financially dependent on the deceased, like parents, stepchildren, or a putative spouse, may also have the right to bring a claim.
Every family structure is different, and the law can be confusing during an already emotional time. Our Modesto wrongful death lawyers can help you understand who qualifies under the law and make sure the right person steps forward to protect your family’s rights.
Losing a loved one comes with not only emotional burdens but financial ones too, especially after a sudden loss. A wrongful death claim is meant to help ease some of those burdens by providing compensation for both economic and non-economic losses your family has suffered, such as:
At Thompson Law, we take the time to understand your specific losses so we can pursue the full compensation your family deserves.
In California, the way a wrongful death settlement is divided depends on who’s legally entitled to receive compensation. If there’s more than one eligible family member, the settlement is typically divided equally among them.
However, in some cases, the family agrees on how to split it. If the family can’t come to an agreement, the court may step in and decide how to divide the money. They’ll do so by taking into account details like each person’s connection to the deceased and how much they were affected by the loss.
At Thompson Law, we help families navigate settlement distribution in a way that keeps things fair and minimizes tension. Dealing with the loss is hard enough. We’re here to make the process as respectful and stress-free as possible for everyone involved.
Liability after a wrongful death depends on the circumstances of the case. Depending on the situation, any of the following parties may be held legally responsible:
Our wrongful death attorneys in Modesto conduct a thorough investigation to identify all liable parties. By building a case that holds them accountable, we can help your family begin to heal with answers and justice.
There are specific laws in California that dictate how wrongful death cases should go, like legal deadlines or how shared fault affects your claim. These laws can be intimidating, but understanding them thoroughly can help protect your rights. Let’s take a look at these important laws.
In Modesto, families have two years after a loved one’s death to file a wrongful death claim. If you wait too long and don’t file your claim within this statute of limitations, you and your family will no longer be able to fight for compensation, even if you have a strong case at hand.
California’s one-action rule ensures that only one wrongful death lawsuit can be filed for every person who has passed away. Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60, all eligible heirs must be included in a single, unified claim either by joining the lawsuit or being properly notified.
This law helps prevent multiple lawsuits over the same death and ensures that any settlement or award is distributed fairly among all surviving family members.
California follows a comparative fault system, which means that if your loved one was partially responsible for the accident that led to their death, your family can still recover damages. However, the total compensation will be reduced based on their share of fault.
For example, if the deceased was found to be 30% at fault and the total damages were $1,000,000, the family would be able to recover $700,000. This system allows families to seek justice even when fault is shared.
Wrongful death incidents in Modesto have tragically involved everything from car crashes to workplace safety failures.
In one heartbreaking case, a grandmother and her granddaughter were among four people killed in a head-on collision on McHenry Avenue. In another, a driver died after his Ford Mustang collided with a big rig near Morgan Road and Nelson Way.
Workplace fatalities have also made headlines. In 2023, 21-year-old Fred Von Gunten III was crushed by a forklift at Champion Industrial Contractors Inc. while compacting trash. Cal/OSHA cited the company for multiple violations, including two labeled “serious.” Earlier in 2018, a city worker was electrocuted while helping install a streetlight pole that made contact with high-voltage power lines. The city faced citations and a $39,750 fine.
These cases highlight how wrongful deaths often stem from preventable negligence on the road, on the job, and beyond.
After a fatal accident, the Modesto Police Department plays a big role in the investigation that follows. Officers secure the scene, collect evidence, and take witness statements. Their findings are then compiled into a police report, which becomes a key document in a wrongful death claim.
The police may also determine whether criminal charges are appropriate. However, even if no one is criminally charged, the police report can still support a civil wrongful death lawsuit by providing objective details about how the incident occurred and who may have been at fault.
Keep in touch with the local police department here:
No family should have to navigate the aftermath of the wrongful death of a loved one alone. At Thompson Law, we offer compassionate guidance and strong legal representation to help you seek justice and financial security during one of the most difficult times of your family’s life.
Let us handle the legal process while you focus on healing. Contact us today for a FREE CONSULTATION. We’re here when you’re ready.
There’s no one-size-fits-all number when it comes to the value of wrongful death settlements since every case is deeply personal and depends on many factors. These include the victim’s age, income, the severity of injuries before the death, future earning potential, and the impact on surviving family members. These settlements can be valued anywhere between tens of thousands and a few million dollars.
Wrongful death cases can take several months to a few years to resolve, depending on the complexity of the case and whether the other party accepts responsibility. It typically takes longer if the case goes to trial.
At Thompson Law, there are no upfront costs to hire our legal team. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything unless we win compensation for your family. We know you’re already facing emotional and financial stress, and you shouldn’t have to worry about legal fees, too.
Yes, you can. A wrongful death claim is a civil case, not a criminal one. That means even if no criminal charges were filed or the defendant was found not guilty, you still have the right to pursue compensation.
If a government agency or employer was involved in your loved one’s death, you may still have a valid wrongful death claim. However, special rules, tighter deadlines, and more complex procedures come into play. Our attorneys have experience handling claims involving public entities and large employers in Modesto, and we can guide you through every step.
Yes, you can. California allows surviving family members to seek compensation not just for financial loss, but also for non-economic losses, too, like the loss of companionship. Even if you weren’t financially dependent on your loved one, your emotional loss still matters, and we’ll make sure the court sees the full impact of your grief.
Thompson Law charges NO FEE unless we obtain a settlement for your case. We’ve put over $1.9 billion in cash settlements in our clients’ pockets. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your accident, get your questions answered, and understand your legal options.
State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an injury accident, so call today.
