City of Riverside’s Top Wrongful Death Attorneys
Compassionate legal counsel since 1999.
In the State of California, compensation for the wrongful death of a loved one is attainable for certain people. When a person tragically dies because of another’s careless actions, the victim’s survivors may have legal grounds to hold the negligent party responsible. Wrongful death cases are challenging, and depending on the nature of the accident, holding a party responsible for the death of the victim may be difficult. An experienced wrongful death attorney can help establish liability.
Skilled Representation for Wrongful Death Cases
If you have recently lost a loved one as a result of a tragic accident that was caused by another’s negligent actions, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit to hold the wrongdoer accountable. The proficient litigators at Castillo & Associates have successfully helped thousands of accident victims in their pursuit for justice. With more than 30 years of dedicated experience, the firm has helped grieving families in Riverside, CA including Corona, Jurupa Valley, Eastvale, Norco, Moreno Valley, Grand Terrace, Temecula and all neighboring communities obtain compensation following the wrongful death of a loved one. Having won many multi million dollar cases, the attorneys at Castillo & Associates are prepared to help you fight for justice; consider obtaining their legal support today.
Wrongful Death Eligibility
According to the guidelines found in California’s Code of Civil Procedure §377.60-377.62, the following parties may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit:
- The surviving spouse of the victim,
- The domestic spouse of the victim, or
- The decedent’s children
If the aforementioned parties are not available, the following parties may seek to file a lawsuit:
- Other dependents,
- Putative spouse,
- Putative spouse’s children,
- Stepchildren, or
- Parents
It is important to note that while multiple parties may have legal standing to bring a case forward, only one claim can be filed per case. For instance, the victim’s surviving spouse and his or her surviving stepchild cannot file separate legal actions.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Cases
Similar to other personal injury claims, the right to file a lawsuit has strict time limitations. In California, those seeking to file a wrongful death claim only have two years from the date of their loved one’s death to file a lawsuit. Formerly known as a statute of limitations, this law can affect a person’s ability to file a claim, even if the claim is valid. It should be noted that the statute of limitations can change depending on what party the claim is being filed against.
Compensation Available Through a Claim
The financial compensation available through a wrongful death claim will be different that most personal injury claims where the victim survived. Nonetheless, reparations can be obtained for the following:
The Decedent’s Medical Expenses
In many cases, before the victim perishes, he or she would be treated medically for injuries sustained in the accident. Reparations for the medical expenses accumulated can be awarded, which can include the following
- Ambulance transportation,
- Medical care, and
- Prescription medications
Funeral Expenses
The victim’s survivors can obtain reimbursement for the funeral expenses and memorial services made for the victim.
Related Economic Damages
Plaintiffs can seek reparations for any expenses incurred as a consequence of the victim’s passing, such as a loss of income.
Non-Economic Damages
Plaintiffs can seek reparations for any emotional damages sustained from the victim’s passing. In California, there is no maximum cap on how much compensation a plaintiff can seek here, unless the case is being filed for medical negligence. The following non-economic damages can be awarded:
- Pain and suffering,
- Loss of companionship,
- Emotional damage, and
- Loss of consortium
Hire the Legal Support of a Wrongful Death Attorney in Riverside, CA
Losing a loved one in a tragic accident is an unbearably painful experience. When the accident was caused as a consequence of another’s wrongdoing, the event can be even more agonizing. If you have lost a family member because of another’s wrongful actions, you may be entitled to reparations. Seek the support of a skilled law firm who can provide you the legal assistance you need to obtain justice.
The wrongful death attorneys at Castillo & Associates have over three decades of dedicated legal experience. Having successfully handled a variety of multi million dollar claims, the firm has the skills and experience needed to handle the most complex wrongful death lawsuits in Southern California. Following the wrongful death of a loved one, it is important to obtain the legal support of an experienced attorney. Consider contacting the proficient attorneys at Castillo & Associates and obtain a no-cost consultation today.
