San Francisco Wrongful Death Lawyers
At Cutter Law P.C., we help families with wrongful death legal claims. Our San Francisco wrongful death lawyers can review a claim and the factors surrounding it. We can provide legal assistance to ensure a wrongful death victim’s family can seek out the maximum compensation amount.
A wrongful death occurs when one person dies due to the misconduct or negligence of another. The death can leave a victim’s family in financial peril. But the family can pursue financial compensation against the party responsible for their loved one’s wrongful death.
Quick Links
- What qualifies as a wrongful death in San Francisco?
- What are the common causes of a wrongful death lawsuit?
- Who can file a lawsuit for a wrongful death in California?
- What compensation can I receive in a wrongful death lawsuit?
- How long do I have to file a wrongful death lawsuit in California?
- How to Prove a Wrongful Death Claim in San Francisco
- How can a San Francisco wrongful death lawyer help with my claim?
What qualifies as a wrongful death in San Francisco?
California has a wrongful death law that entitles surviving families members or an estate to file a lawsuit for damages against the party responsible for a victim’s death. The law states a wrongful death legal claim is valid if the victim died due to another’s negligent, reckless, or intentional wrongful act.
What are the common causes of a wrongful death lawsuit?
Common causes of wrongful death lawsuits include:
- Car Accidents: Over 3,300 fatal car accidents were reported in California in 2019.
- Truck Accidents: More than 4,100 people died in truck accidents in the United States in 2019.
- Motorcycle Accidents: There were 474 motorcycle fatalities in California in 2019.
- Bicycle Accidents: On average, there are 3.9 bike accident fatalities per million people in California.
- Traffic Accidents: As of December, 27 traffic fatalities were reported in San Francisco in 2021.
Cutter Law has experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyers on staff. Our attorneys take the guesswork out of wrongful death legal claims. Those who need help with car accident claims, truck accident claims, medical malpractice claims, and other types of wrongful death lawsuits can come to us for best-in-class support.
Who can file a lawsuit for a wrongful death in California?
The surviving members of the family of a wrongful death victim can file a lawsuit in California. In this instance, a family member can sue the party responsible for the death.
For example, a spouse may lose their significant other due to someone else’s negligent act. At this time, the spouse can file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. The spouse can claim the at-fault party’s negligence led to the wrongful death. This individual can also cite any medical costs, emotional trauma, or other reasons as part of their legal claim for compensation.
$23.5 Million
Settlement won for government fraud in a whistleblower case against one of the world’s largest medical device manufacturers
$240 Million​
Settlement in a nationwide defective medical device case involving defective pacemakers and cardiac defibrillators against Boston Scientific and Guidant
What compensation can I receive in a wrongful death lawsuit?
An individual can receive economic or non-economic damages from an at-fault party in a wrongful death lawsuit.
- Economic damages refer to compensation that is monetary and objective. They can include compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, or other financial losses associated with a wrongful death.
- Non-economic damages are subjective. They can include compensation for pain, suffering, and loss of companionship due to a wrongful death.
Our San Francisco wrongful death attorneys know the ins and outs of California law and can explain economic and non-economic damages in detail. And we help clients pursue both types of damages in wrongful death cases.
How long do I have to file a wrongful death lawsuit in California?
There is a two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits in California. This means surviving family members have two years from the date of a loved one’s wrongful death to file a legal claim. If family members wait too long to submit their claim, they risk missing out on an opportunity to secure compensation from the party responsible for the wrongful death.
We understand the challenges associated with wrongful death lawsuits. Our San Francisco wrongful death lawyers address these challenges. We work with clients and can respond to their wrongful death lawsuit concerns and questions. Plus, we ensure the surviving family member of a wrongful death victim’s family receives comprehensive legal support until their case is settled.
How to Prove a Wrongful Death Claim in San Francisco
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to prove a wrongful death claim in San Francisco. However, there are several elements that must be present to prove any wrongful death claim.
A duty of care refers to the responsibility to act responsibly and reasonably toward others. For instance, a motorist has a duty of care to follow the rules of the road. This requires a motorist to keep their eyes on the road, wear a seatbelt, and take other precautions. That way, the motorist can protect against accidents, along with associated injuries and fatalities.
In a wrongful death case, a victim’s family must prove that a defendant has a duty of care to it. The family must also show that the defendant’s actions breached this duty, resulting in the victim’s death. And the family must be able to verify that it suffered damages due to the defendant’s breach of duty.
Additionally, a victim’s surviving family members must provide a preponderance of evidence to show that someone is responsible for a wrongful death. This evidence ultimately helps prove a defendant’s actions led to a victim’s wrongful death.
Proving a wrongful death claim can be challenging, even if a victim’s family has plenty of evidence and can show the defendant breached their duty of care. Fortunately, Cutter Law’s San Francisco wrongful death attorneys take the guesswork out of building wrongful death cases.
Our attorneys collect as much evidence as possible. We conduct witness interviews and learn about all aspects of a wrongful death claim. Plus, we work closely with our clientele. We ensure our clients’ needs are met. And we are ready to respond to any wrongful death claim concerns or questions.
How can a San Francisco wrongful death lawyer help with my claim?
Do not expect a wrongful death claim to be submitted and settled overnight. Rather, the legal process is comprehensive. It may take a wrongful death victim’s family many years before their case goes to trial. Once the case reaches this point, there is no guarantee that the victim’s family will achieve its desired results, either.
A best-in-class San Francisco wrongful death lawyer is honest and upfront with their clientele. The attorney works diligently on behalf of the families of wrongful death victims. In doing so, the attorney helps these families receive fair compensation from any at-fault parties.
Also, a top-notch wrongful death attorney prioritizes client satisfaction. The attorney understands the challenges associated in pursuing a wrongful death claim. But the lawyer does their part to address these challenges. And the attorney ensures their clients are fully supported at all stages of their case.
The Cutter Law team has over 130 years of combined legal experience. Our team won’t shy away from a wrongful death case. Instead, we help the families of wrongful death victims pursue their legal claims to the fullest extent. This has helped us secure millions of dollars in case settlements to date.
Let’s not forget about our commitment to our clientele, either. We work in lockstep with the families of personal injury victims. No legal question is too big or too small for us. And we seek out ways to ensure our clients get the legal support they need, exactly when they need it. This is one of the many reasons why clients frequently provide us with positive reviews.
If you are considering filing a wrongful death lawsuit in San Francisco, we encourage you to reach out. To learn more or to request a free consultation with our California wrongful death attorneys, contact us today.
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Bay Area Office
Cutter Law P.C.
1999 Harrison Street Suite 1400
Oakland, CA 94612
