San Francisco Wrongful Death Attorneys

Fighting for Families of Wrongful Death Victims in Santa Rosa and Vacaville

Dealing with the sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one is one of the most traumatic challenges we can face. Most people don’t immediately think about contacting an attorney in the aftermath, but if there is any chance that your loved one’s death was caused by someone else’s negligence or carelessness, that is exactly what you should do. Time is of the essence because of the need to conduct investigations, interview witnesses, and gather, analyze, and preserve evidence. 

At The Cartwright Law Firm, we can provide the solutions-driven support you need during this unimaginably difficult time. We understand what you are going through and want to help you and your family get the justice you deserve. Under California statutes, the heirs and dependents of the victim of a wrongful death are entitled to receive compensation for their losses. That compensation may include payments to cover future income, medical bills, and funeral expenses of the deceased, as well as loss of companionship.

Our attorneys have successfully handled many wrongful death claims, including those involving the tragic loss of children. We are prepared to put our firm’s extensive resources to work for you and your family. Specifically, we have developed a highly effective, personal technique for approaching wrongful death cases using multimedia technology. This helps tell the story of the person who lost their lives and the impact on those left behind. Putting a name and a face to the victim helps jurors understand our clients’ losses and how their loved ones cannot be replaced. 

Schedule a free consultation with our San Francisco wrongful death lawyers by calling (415) 851-6486 or contacting us online. You pay nothing unless we win.

Understanding Wrongful Death Claims in California

You may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim when your loved one dies as a result of another person or organization’s negligence. Put another way, a wrongful death claim may arise when a victim who could have legally filed a personal injury claim against another party dies because of the negligent actions of the defendant.

Our team at The Cartwright Law Firm is fully prepared to represent clients who have lost loved ones due to any of the following:

• Car accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Truck accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Boating accidents
• Construction accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Premises liability accidents
• Swimming pool accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Defective products
• Faulty highway design
• Machinery malfunctions
• Medical malpractice
• Transit liability

Additionally, you can potentially pursue a wrongful death claim against someone who intentionally kills your loved ones. In these tragic scenarios, the alleged murderer can face criminal charges and a wrongful death claim. However, the police will not handle a civil lawsuit on your behalf. You will need to speak to an attorney to discuss your options.

To win a wrongful death case, you must be able to demonstrate several key elements, including:

• The at-fault party owed a duty of care to your loved one. For instance, a doctor has an obligation to follow the right medical procedures.
• The person failed their duty of care. For example, the doctor provided the wrong medicine to the patient.
• There is a direct link between the failure of care and your loved one’s death. When the doctor prescribed the wrong medicine, the patient suffered severe complications that led to their death. 
• You suffered damages due to your loved one’s death. These damages could include financial losses like funeral expenses, loss of support, medical bills, or emotional suffering.

As you might imagine, lawsuits stemming from wrongful deaths caused by negligence can be complex and extremely emotional. These cases aren’t always easy to prove, but you don’t have to go through this alone. Our San Francisco wrongful death attorneys can evaluate your case and assess the necessary steps based on the evidence. We have the experience and resources to help you bear this burden, develop a strong claim, and hold responsible parties accountable. 

Who Has the Right to Sue for Wrongful Death in California?

Not every family member of a wrongful death victim automatically has the right to sue. Under California law, specific individuals hold the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

The primary claimants include the deceased person’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, and children. These relatives are generally recognized as having the closest relationship to the deceased and are typically given the first opportunity to pursue a claim.

If the deceased person left behind no surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, or grandchildren, any other family member who would be entitled to the deceased’s property if there was no will usually have the right to sue. If no such family members exist, others who were financially dependent on the deceased may also file, such as stepchildren, parents, or putative spouses. A putative spouse refers to someone who genuinely believed they were legally married to the deceased, even if the marriage was not valid.

Multiple parties may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Keep in mind that the personal representative of the deceased’s estate also has the right to file and can do so on behalf of all interested parties.

Determining who has standing to pursue a wrongful death case can be confusing, but we are here to help. Our San Francisco wrongful death lawyers can answer your questions and provide personalized guidance. 

Choosing the Right Wrongful Death Attorney for Your Case

The lawyer you choose to represent you can make a significant difference in the outcome of your wrongful death claim. You should hire someone who has significant experience handling your specific type of case. They should be able to walk you through past successes and review how they plan to approach your claim.

When choosing an attorney for your wrongful death case, ask yourself the following questions:

• Will this attorney provide me and my family with sufficient personal attention?
• How many cases at a time is this lawyer personally responsible for?
• Does this attorney have ample experience with wrongful death cases?
• Does this lawyer understand and sympathize with my situation?

When you work with our team at The Cartwright Law Firm, you can rest easy knowing that we are ready to go above and beyond to negotiate a favorable settlement to compensate you for the loss of your loved one. We will litigate your case if a reasonable settlement cannot be reached.

Experience matters in wrongful death cases. Learn more about how we can help you and your family get the justice you deserve by calling (415) 851-6486 or contacting us online.