San Francisco Wrongful Death Lawyer

If someone else’s negligence contributed to your loved one’s death, there may be a legal action available to help. Such cases are known as wrongful death claims, and they are as important as they are complicated. If you’ve lost a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence or wrongful act, you need the professional legal counsel of an experienced San Francisco wrongful death lawyer on your side. 

Who May Recover Damages?

In order to recover damages in a California wrongful death case, you must first have what is called standing. Standing refers to a person’s legal right to recover on the damages associated with wrongful death, and those with standing include:

• The decedent’s spouse
• The decedent’s domestic partner
• The decedent’s children
• The decedent’s grandchildren (if the decedent’s children have also passed)
• Any other children, such as stepchildren, who were at least 50 percent dependent upon the decedent for financial support
• Anyone else who, under California law or intestate succession, would be entitled to the decedent’s assets

Who Is Liable?

A wrongful death claim can be brought against anyone whose negligence, gross negligence, recklessness, or wrongful act that was intentional led to the death in question. Such acts can include:

• Every kind of traffic accident, such as car, truck, pedestrian, motorcycle, and bike accidents
• Fall accidents 
• Medical malpractice
• Elder abuse or neglect
• Child abuse or neglect
• Assault and battery
• Murder or manslaughter

Recovering for Your Damages

While nothing can bring your loved one back to you, wrongful death claims are intended to help you recover on the lost support you could have reasonably expected to enjoy had the decedent lived and thus help you move forward with less difficulty. The damages covered can be both economic and noneconomic. 

Economic Damages

Your economic damages can include some or all of the following:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• The financial support the decedent would have contributed to your family during the course of his or her lifetime
• The gifts and/or benefits you won’t receive as a result of your loss
• The reasonable value associated with the household services the decedent would have performed had he or she lived

Over the course of your loved one’s expected lifetime, these economic losses can add up to a significant total.

Noneconomic Damages

Noneconomic damages refer to those losses that don’t have a price tag attached but that are, nevertheless, very real. These can include:

• The loss of affection
• The loss of protection
• The loss of moral support 
• The loss of society and companionship
• The loss of training and guidance
• The loss of sexual relations

There are no set standards by which these damages will be calculated. Instead, the jury can award any amount it deems reasonable in relation to the evidence presented. 

You Need an Experienced San Francisco Wrongful Death Lawyer on Your Side

For nearly three decades, the dedicated San Francisco wrongful death lawyers at the Law Offices of Scott Righthand have been successfully advocating for the rights of clients like you. If you lost a loved one to someone else’s negligence, our experienced legal team has the fortitude, commitment, and skill to help you obtain the compensation to which you are entitled. We’re on your side, so please don’t delay contacting us to schedule your free consultation today.