How Much Is My Wrongful Death Claim Worth in California?
Your family may be entitled to a large settlement check or award if a loved one died due to someone else’s wrongful actions. The wrongful death attorneys at Heiting & Irwin can represent you in an understanding yet determined way as you seek accountability and justice.
First, we must be able to prove that someone else was responsible for your loved one’s death. Then we can progress to the stage discussing financial compensation. Wrongful death damages are individualized and based on the specific case, attempting to somehow find the value of your loved one’s life. Your damages would encompass both actual economic losses suffered and the void that your family member’s death left in the family. Only certain members are eligible to bring a claim.
Speak to the wrongful death lawyers at Heiting & Irwin to learn more about what you can expect in the wrongful death lawsuit process. There is no charge to speak with one of our lawyers, and you pay us nothing unless you win your case.
You Can Be Paid for Your Family’s Losses
Your family’s wrongful death damages are, in part, dependent on the relationship of the deceased person’s life to you. While it may seem difficult to think of your loved one’s life in terms of a monetary value, it is exactly what the jury has to do in a wrongful death lawsuit. These cases are all about your family’s loss and how much you deserve in compensation. However, it is always challenging to determine exactly how your case should be valued. You need a wrongful death lawyer for your case.
Like any personal injury claim, there are both economic and non-economic elements to your case. Both of these can be subject to varying interpretations. The insurance company will certainly go out of their way to reach the lowest possible valuation of your claim, so it is up to you to know how much your case is worth before you file it.
The Economic Aspects of a Wrongful Death Claim
One of the major elements of your claim is the money that your loved one would have earned and contributed had they lived and continued to work and provide for the family over the course of the entire rest of their career. This amount can reflect potential promotions and the career trajectory that your loved one would have had. Of course, the insurance company will try to minimize their calculation of your loved one’s support of the heirs.
The Non-Economic Elements of a Wrongful Death Case
Your wrongful death claim can get even more complicated when it comes to what your loved one meant to the family and the role that they played. The jury may reflect on the following elements of wrongful death damages:
- The loving relationship that you had with your loved one
- The support and guidance that they provided
- Your losses that come along with suddenly losing that loved one
A survival claim may be available, as well, for the harm that your family member endured between the time of their injury and the time of their death. If they do not die immediately, the survival action damages can greatly increase the compensation amount.
In the end, an experienced wrongful death attorney will act to get maximum value for your claim, and they will fight for you to receive every dollar that you deserve.
Contact a Riverside Wrongful Death Law Firm Today
Schedule a free initial consultation with the wrongful death law firm of Heiting & Irwin to speak with a caring and determined attorney. We do our best to understand your circumstances before we give you legal advice. You can reach out to an attorney by calling us today at 951-682-6400.
