California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60 allows surviving family members to recover compensation after losing a loved one because of someone else’s negligent and wrongful act. This also applies in the event that the act was intentional. A settlement or verdict for wrongful death damages can help surviving family members to recover some financial losses from this preventable situation. Those damages can include;
- Funeral and burial expenses for the decedent.
- An amount that the deceased would have earned as income.
- Pain and suffering or costs for disfigurement of the deceadant.
- Compensation for the loss of the loved one’s support and companionship.
This is similar to a related claim known as loss of consortium in California, which applies in those cases where a registered domestic partner or spouse has been deprived of the intimacy and companionship of a living partner because of someone else’s wrongful death. Under CCP 377.30, a wrongful death suit can often be combined with a survival cause of action in California.
It can be a very difficult experience for a family to lose a loved one in a preventable accident, and you deserve to have someone in your corner who cares about the complexity of these cases.
You should consult with an experienced San Francisco wrongful death lawyer to learn more about your next steps and how to protect your interests in this difficult situation. The support of an experienced wrongful death lawyer can be instrumental in helping guide you through the legal process for recovering compensation.