The loss of a loved one is always a painful experience, but that pain can be especially acute when someone else’s wrongful behavior is to blame. If your close family member died because of another party’s careless, reckless, or intentionally harmful actions, they deserve justice—and you deserve compensation to help you cope with the challenges ahead. The Santa Ana wrongful death attorneys with DJA Injury Lawyers want to help you get it.
We’re dedicated to helping Orange County residents assert their rights and hold responsible parties accountable for the damage they cause. We’re so committed to this goal that we work on contingency, meaning you will not pay us unless we win your case. So don’t wait another moment to start asserting your rights. Contact DJA Injury Lawyers today by calling (949) 229-7228, and let’s discuss what happened and how we can help.
Wrongful Death Cases We Take in Santa Ana
California law defines a wrongful death as a death that results from “the wrongful neglect or act of another.” Wrongful deaths are often the result of incidents like the following:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Falls caused by unsafe premises
- Medical malpractice
- Dangerous products
- Assaults
If your loved one would not have died had someone else acted differently, their passing could have been a wrongful death.
The same statute that defines wrongful death also specifies that the following parties have the right to bring such a claim:
- The decedent’s spouse
- The decedent’s domestic partner
- The decedent’s children
- The decedent’s grandchildren
If none of these parties survived the deceased, then the right to file extends to anyone who could have inherited property from the deceased had they died without a will—for example, their parents or siblings. Certain parties who were financially dependent on the deceased may also have the right to file, including stepchildren, legal guardians, and putative spouses (someone who erroneously assumed in good faith that they were the deceased’s spouse).
A successful wrongful death claim in Santa Ana can recover money for the following economic losses:
- Financial support the deceased would have provided
- Gifts and benefits the deceased would have provided
- The value of the household services the deceased would have provided
- Funeral and burial expenses for the deceased
However, the law also acknowledges that the loss of a loved one causes emotional harm as well as financial harm. As such, the following non-economic losses are also compensable:
- The loss of the decedent’s love, guidance, companionship, care, comfort, and assistance
- For spouses and domestic partners, the loss of the decedent’s romantic affection
- For children especially, the loss of the decedent’s guidance and training
If you lost someone recently to a wrongful death, DJA Injury Lawyers can help you demand the fair compensation you deserve for what happened. Your focus should be on mourning your loss and spending time with your family. Let ours be to:
- Investigate what happened to determine everyone who could be to blame for your loved one’s passing
- Gather evidence to establish the financial and personal costs of your loss
- Send a demand letter to the at-fault parties and their insurance providers outlining our argument and explaining your right to compensation
- Negotiating with insurance companies for an out-of-court settlement that pays you without the need for a trial
- Litigating your case in court if the insurance company won’t make you a fair offer
Don’t face this difficult time alone. Let our Santa Ana wrongful death attorneys provide you with the support, guidance, and vigorous representation you deserve.
Wrongful Death Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), injuries led to nearly 308,000 deaths in 2022, of which just over 227,000 were unintentional. The leading causes of injury-related deaths were as follows:
- Poisoning: 112,728 deaths
- Firearms: 48,204 deaths
- Falls: 44,630 deaths
- Motor vehicle accidents: 44,534 deaths
- Homicides: 24,849 deaths
Frequently Asked Questions about Wrongful Death
Below, you’ll find the answers to some of the questions that our clients most frequently ask our Santa Ana wrongful death lawyers.
How Much Does a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Santa Ana Cost?
Most Santa Ana wrongful death lawyers—including those with DJA Injury Lawyers—work on a contingency fee basis. This means that their fee is dependent on whether they win your case. If they don’t recover compensation on your behalf, you don’t owe them an attorney fee. Be sure to ask your prospective attorney about their fee structure before you hire them.
How Much Is My Wrongful Death Claim Worth?
Many factors will affect how much you could recover in your wrongful death claim. One factor will be the financial contributions to your family. Furthermore, California’s jury instructions for wrongful death specify that there is no fixed standard for determining non-economic damages like loss of love, affection, and guidance. Rather, juries are to use their own judgment when arriving at a figure.
Furthermore, juries should consider the decedent’s life expectancy when determining how much to award. Specifically, they may take the decedent’s age, health, habits, lifestyle, occupation, and leisure activities into account.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Santa Ana?
California’s statute of limitations on wrongful death claims gives you two years from the date of your loved one’s passing to file suit against the at-fault parties. While there are certain circumstances that could change this deadline, it’s best to act fast. Filing late could lead to a dismissal of your case, which would cost you your right to compensation. Don’t let this happen—reach out to an experienced wrongful death lawyer in Santa Ana right away.
Let Our Santa Ana Wrongful Death Lawyers Help You
Are you dealing with the painful aftermath of a loved one’s passing? Is someone else to blame for what happened? If so, let the experienced Santa Ana legal team with DJA Injury Lawyers demand justice and compensation on your behalf. Contact us today, online or at (949) 229-7228, and a wrongful death lawyer in Santa Ana will answer your questions during a free consultation.