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There’s nothing more painful than suddenly losing someone you love. It’s even more painful and gut-wrenching to learn that it was due to another person’s carelessness and negligence, whether it was because of a fatal car accident or medical malpractice. Having to carry that weight on your own is unimaginable, and it’s almost impossible to be in the right state of mind to go through the motions of insurance claims and legal processes on your own.
Our Stockton wrongful death lawyers at Thompson Law can help you make sense of these darker days and guide you through the process of bringing those negligent parties to justice in court. To us, this won’t be just another lawsuit. It’s about making sure we help your family find answers and pave the path to complete healing. We treat your story with the dignity and respect it deserves, and we won’t stop fighting until you get fair compensation to ease your financial burden.
Take the first step to demanding justice for the wrongful death of someone you love. Call us for a FREE CONSULTATION today.
Our team of experienced, compassionate lawyers knows the nuances of wrongful death cases. With your unique story in mind, we make it our mission to navigate Stockton’s complex laws to pursue and defend your claim.
We’re here to help you through every step of the legal process. Here’s how our team can help you seek justice against those responsible for the loss of a loved one:
Learn more about what we can do to strengthen your case and honor your loved one’s legacy by booking a FREE CASE REVIEW today.
In Stockton, most of the surviving family members and dependents of the deceased person have the power to file a lawsuit for their unjust death. Here’s a full list of who can demand compensation for wrongful death damages, according to the California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60:
If your loved one dies at the hands of a negligent person or company, you can seek compensation for a range of different economic and non-economic damages. While we understand that money won’t be enough to let you heal, it can take some of the financial load off you and your family. That way, you can focus on grieving the way you need to without getting stressed about money.
Depending on your unique case, you can secure compensation for damages such as:
A wrongful death is a death of a person caused by the negligence and carelessness of another person or entity. In most cases, it’s when another party fails to exercise a specific level of care, resulting in the person’s injuries and eventual passing.
Many wrongful death lawsuits are filed after someone is killed in a road crash. These accidents can involve other cars, pedestrians, trucks, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, and even rideshare services like Uber and Lyft.
Other common settings where wrongful deaths occur include hospitals and nursing homes in cases of medical malpractice. It could also happen at the workplace when the person who passes away is on duty and should have been protected by their employer. Liability can even be placed on private companies in deaths resulting from premises liability or the use of defective products.
Not sure if your situation qualifies for a wrongful death suit? Our Stockton wrongful death lawyers can hear your story and assess whether you can file charges when you book a FREE CASE REVIEW.
Negligence and recklessness that lead to someone’s death materialize in different situations and settings. Here are some of the most heartbreaking stories of painful, unjust deaths in Stockton, as reported by local news.
One late night in January 2025, there was a high-speed police chase between authorities and a man driving a stolen car. As the driver of the stolen vehicle passed through the intersection of Airport Way and Hazleton Avenue, he crashed into another car on the road that was completely uninvolved in the chase. The two people in that car, as well as the driver of the stolen vehicle, died in the collision.
Another fatal crash occurred six months before, in July 2024, when a 22-year-old woman’s car was broadsided by a drunk driver. The woman was brought to the hospital for treatment but died from serious injuries after the crash. The driver under the influence faced charges of manslaughter with gross negligence.
Stockton’s hospitals provide excellent care for all its patients. But one negligent healthcare provider is all it takes to cause a wrongful death.
For example, in 2022, a man was admitted to San Joaquin General Hospital just off Stockton after a car accident but was sent home shortly after without having diagnostic testing done. Two days later, he passed away from an intracranial hemorrhage. Had the hospital’s staff performed the right diagnostic testing, his death could have been prevented. His family filed a wrongful death suit against the county, which ended up settling for $650,000.
Employers also have a duty to keep their employees safe while they’re on the job. Unfortunately, some employers can be negligent in the workplace. This is most common in construction sites where events like scaffolding accidents are more likely. Instead of protecting their employees, some operators carelessly put hard workers in fatal situations that take their lives.
One such event happened in 2016 when a 42-year-old man died on the job at the Schuff Steel plant when a steel beam crushed him. Upon investigation, his employer gave him responsibilities well beyond his training and job description without adequate support. The company also didn’t have the right safety measures in place for hoisting operations, such as a hand signal system. In the end, the victim lost his life because of it.
No one deserves to lose someone they love because of the reckless, negligent actions of another person, whether on the road, in a hospital, or at a private property. When we see people suffer and grieve at the hands of these negligent parties, we know they need to be held accountable. That’s why our compassionate team of lawyers fights relentlessly to bring the families of victims to justice and get them the financial compensation they deserve to help them rebuild their lives.
One surefire way to strengthen your wrongful death claim is by collecting helpful evidence and presenting it in court. These pieces of information are crucial in determining liability in the death of your loved one. Here are examples of the types of evidence that can bolster your case:
With the right evidence in our hands, we can piece together who was truly to blame for your loved one’s death. Then, we prove it in front of a judge and jury in four steps:
Probate is the process of distributing a deceased person’s assets and paying any debts they left behind. The process is easy when the victim leaves behind a will, but figuring out who inherits what from that person’s estate is more complex without one.
To start a probate, you must go to the local courts. All probate processes in Stockton fall under the San Joaquin County Superior Court’s jurisdiction, which means you must head to the Lodi Courthouse at 315 W Elm St., Lodi, CA 95240 to start a probate.
From there, a judge will appoint a representative responsible for the entire probate process. According to California Courts, this should be the person named in the will, or if there isn’t one, a close family member of the deceased. That representative is then given duties such as:
Handling a probate case is a tough job, but making sure your loved one’s affairs are in order is the least you can do to honor their legacy. Overwhelmed by the probate process? Don’t worry, our Stockton wrongful death lawyers can guide you at every step, ensuring you do everything right.
When someone you know is involved in a fatal accident, it’s vital to get the police on it as soon as possible. That means calling 911 to ask first responders to come and investigate the scene. Make sure to tell the dispatcher where you are, what happened, and whether you suspect someone has succumbed to an injury at the scene.
After the accident occurs, you can then follow up or request an official copy of the police report with the Stockton Police Department by dialing their non-emergency line at (209) 937-837. You can also head to the station at 22 E Market St. for any questions and concerns about your case.
The unjust death of a loved one can shatter your world, but that doesn’t mean it stops turning. There are still medical bills to pay, relationships to fix, and grief that demands to be felt. And while money will never be enough to replace your loved one, it can help you heal properly and move forward. Your family deserves justice, and those responsible for the death of your loved one must be held accountable.
At Thompson Law, our Stockton wrongful death lawyers pursue the truth and honor your loved one’s name by advocating for their rights in the fiercest yet most compassionate way possible. We’ll represent your family in court and honor your loved one’s memory by demanding justice, and we won’t stop until we get you fair restitution.
Learn what we can do to tell your loved one’s story and get you the financial compensation you deserve by booking a FREE CONSULTATION today.
The worth of your wrongful death lawsuit depends on its unique circumstances, such as the degree of negligence the other party showed and the financial impact on the deceased’s surviving loved ones. The accumulated costs of medical bills, lost wages, and the funeral will also impact the total value of your lawsuit or settlement.
California’s one-action rule means that all potential heirs of a deceased person can only file one joint lawsuit against the negligent party. This law protects defendants from facing multiple lawsuits for the same charges. It also makes things simpler since having a single lawsuit demands a comprehensive and straightforward settlement or claim for damages.
In Stockton, you have two years from the death of the victim to file a lawsuit. It’s best to gather evidence, get a lawyer, and file your paperwork as soon as you can. If you miss the deadline, you will no longer be eligible to demand and receive compensation.
No, most of the time, settlements for wrongful death cases aren’t taxable as income. Any amount the deceased’s loved ones receive is considered compensatory, so they’re meant to shoulder expenses, not serve as income. Therefore, they are not taxable.
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.
